Persistent Leak at PEX Cone Washer After Freeze—Is the 90-Degree Fitting to Blame?

[Samthetramp]

I ran out of propane for about 48 hours during a harsh cold spell in Elkhart, IN. After thawing back out which took less than 24h hours I noticed leaks from pex cone washers both in the belly and at my toilet connections. Replaced the cone washers all around and tge belly connections are good. The toilet water supply connection still leaks. I tightened it up slightly and it dripped faster so I backed it off a little and it still leaks.

I'm wondering if the 90 is somehow bad. It drips where the hard 90 goes into the collar. I'll replace the cone washer again tomorrow while ordering a new 90 just in case. I feel I'm tightening too much from the start yet the other 2 I replaced are good. Any thoughts?

 

[Samthetramp]

Leak is coming from here.

 

[TheBar]

Any fitting with wings means it should only be snugged down finger tight but definitely not as tight as possible. It sounds like it is already cracked so tightening it more causes the crack to open and it leaks worse. There is also the possibility the washer is bad and it could be the problem.

If there is a metal replacement I would go with it. Vibration from the road will cause failures in plastic parts that can't be really tighten down hard.

 

[Samthetramp]

Well I replaced the 90 with a brass one and tightened it half as much and the leak is fixed. I will be replacing all of the plastic elbows with brass after this.

 

[Kirk]

Brass is far more durable than any plastic but is also much more costly.

 

[RayIN]

Pex is forgiving when water freezes inside, plastic fittings not so much.