Leaking Whale Mixer Tap

Ingwe

Ingwe

Joined
Feb 22, 2016
Posts
4,131
Likes collected
14,678
Location
York
Funster No
41,744
MH
Bailey 620 Approach
Exp
Since 2015
Hello, have a small but persistent leak from the kitchen Whale mixer tap. I can't see how to dismantle this tap to see whether I can replace an o ring or whatever.
I've attached a photo of the tap. It is fitted to a 2012 Bailey 620 Approach. Thanks.

1582635005048.png
 
Mine leaks exactly the same.The small round tap leaver unscrews and there is a grub screw behind it. However whale told me they don’t do parts but send it back and they will repair it free of charge. I thought he said it had a lifetime guarantee. I sent it back and after a week I got a new one returned
Terry
 
Sometimes getting to pipework at the rear to remove the tap completely is more difficult than taking the tap apart in situ and replacing the cartridge and silicon washers.
I know this, as its impossible to remove the shower mixer on our Carthago, without deforming the plastic shower corner liner as its welded in place with double sided waterproof bonding tape, that just does not give in or release.
I know its a Kitchen worktop tap we are looking at in this instance, but even that would be quite difficult to remove completely in our case, as even with all the drawers removed, there are still horizontal timber structures/dividers in place, just to make it shall we say, interesting:banghead:

Great to read that Whale will replace or repair the broken tap if it can be removed,& returned, I wish Reich would do the same, although they were helpful last year.
I now carry a replacement tap cartridge in the van, just in case one starts to leak or play up, they cost about £11/13 from the likes of Leisure Direct.
LES
 
terryway said:
Mine leaks exactly the same.The small round tap leaver unscrews and there is a grub screw behind it. However whale told me they don’t do parts but send it back and they will repair it free of charge. I thought he said it had a lifetime guarantee. I sent it back and after a week I got a new one returned
Terry
Click to expand...
Just so I understand, “the small round tap leaver” that unscrews, is the bot at the top, with the horizontal chrome lever coming from it? I’m reluctant to try unscrewing anything unless sure.
Thanks.
 
Ingwe said:
Just so I understand, “the small round tap leaver” that unscrews, is the bot at the top, with the horizontal chrome lever coming from it? I’m reluctant to try unscrewing anything unless sure.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
No, its the actual cylindrical lever (rod) part itself that unscrews.

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If you unscrew the the tap lever, you should then be able to pull off the circular chrome to part of the tap, exposing the plastic ceramic cartridge.
You shroud then see a back nut that hold the entire cartridge in place, it might be awkward, you may need long nosed pliers, but take it of carefully without damaging it.
Pull the cartridge out and you should see three circular silicon washer at the bottom ,i will probably be these that have failed.
Order you new replacement cartridge, install it, location lugs at the bottom should ensure you get it in the correct way round, replace the back nut, tighten finger tight, and no more than a quarter past that with pliers.
That should be it, check for leaks, job done.
Good luck
Get a spare one, handy to have in stock, as they are normally the same type on all taps in the van, but check shower mixer matches.

Les
 
You may just need to tighten the large nut that holds the cartridge in place.

And if you are going to remove cartridge, make sure the water pump is off, the pressure is removed from the system, and you are prepared for water to run out beneath the tap.
 
Sorry if I'm being thick; I'm still unclear which bit unscrews to reveal the grub screw. With reference to my photo please could someone confirm which of the three sections unscrews. Also, terryway suggests that Whale don't provide spare parts but will repair the tap if sent to them but other posters have referred to getting and replacing a cartridge. Are these cartridges for the Whale taps or other makes such as Reich types which I've seen referred to.
Thanks so much for your patience with me! ?
 
The sticky out bit that you would hold to operate the tap. Unscrew it.
 
Yes the lever as pictured above, unscrew it, then pull off the circular top, exposing the top of the cartridge.
The inside lip of the tap body will have a locking nut, maybe black plastic, maybe brass, they differ from one type to the next, hopefully unlike ours it will be brass as they are a lot stronger.
If you can unscrew & remove, this should allow the cartridge to be lifted out in one piece.
The sealing silicon washers will be at the bottom, its these that let water past normally, which causes the leaks.
I have not searched for a Whale Tap Cartridge, only Reich.
If you cannot trace a new cartridge, then contact Whale, I think they are in Northern Ireland.
They will advise on whether a replacement cartridge is available or whether to send the whole tap assembly back to them, but I have heard they are very good in holding spares for all ages of van,especially pumps & taps.
Good Luck.

LES
 
Ah, thank you! All is clear now that I can see the marked photo by LandyAndy and TinaL's fuller explanation.
Will see to it directly I'm home and can source the new cartridge.
Thanks all.
 
struggling to get the nut that holds the cartridge in place. It’s not metal but is so gummed up, I can’t shift it with needle nose pliers which is all I can get in there. Have sprayed it with a release agent and will wait a few minutes. Possibly a ring spanner may get there but I don’t have one with me! Any other tips to get the nut off?
 
The chrome shroud that covers the nut making it hard to the nut unscrews
 
Making it hard to get too the nut, can be unscrewed

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terryway said:
Making it hard to get too the nut, can be unscrewed
Click to expand...
I thought that might be the case but it didn’t want to unscrew so didn’t force it. Maybe I’ll put some release agent on the chrome cover and wait. Anyway, the van’s in storage so it’ll have to wait now as I’m home.
 
Long delated job now completed. Sprayed seized collar with release agent and waited an hour. It then unscrewed quite easily giving easy access to the nut holding the cartridge in place. Once this nut was removed, it was simple to pull out the faulty cartridge, insert the replacement and replace all the bits.
Tested and no leaking and tap operates smoothly again. 👍
 
Ingwe said:
Long delated job now completed. Sprayed seized collar with release agent and waited an hour. It then unscrewed quite easily giving easy access to the nut holding the cartridge in place. Once this nut was removed, it was simple to pull out the faulty cartridge, insert the replacement and replace all the bits.
Tested and no leaking and tap operates smoothly again. 👍
Click to expand...
I have the same problem ref leak. Will the cartridge have to be replaced or it just seal problem.

Screw fix are selling what looks like a very similar replacement cartridge. Was wonder will this cartridge be suitable. I have attached an image of the one in Screwfix.

Screenshot_20230911_104538_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
I got mine from Screwfix. works perfectly
 
I replaced the tap cartridge in April 23 and it has now started leaking again from the two chrome collars. So thought I’d check that the cartridge was seated correctly on the seals. Now, although I have removed the cylindrical lever and the grub screw, I can’t remove the top ball like part of the tap. Also, the grub screw has now dropped off the end of the Allenkey. I’m not fussed about the grub screw because I’ll find it when the top of the tap is removed.
Is it just a matter of brute force in getting the top third of the tap off to access the cartridge.

Photo of the tap with the unhelpful tap part arrowed.
IMG_1756.jpeg
 
Any ideas how to get the top off? Videos show that once the lever is unscrewed and the grub screw, the top just lifts off the square plastic on/off lever of the cartridge. Not mine! 🤔
 

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