Found the leak! Probably factory defect?

[JACKVJR]

We inherited a Caldera Paradise Kauai; a really perfectly-sized three-person spa.  However, what we were not told was it came with a slow leak and had have to be topped up every two weeks or so.

I asked here and at the dealer about finding and repairing the leak.  The general consensus was "Very difficult to find and often difficult to fix; probably not worth it on a used spa.

Well, turns out, it was none of the above.  When the leak finally deteriorated the skirting to the point the cover lifter fell off, the source of the leak became obvious.

On one side, I'm calling it the left, there is a diverter valve and an air flow valve.  Just below the air flow valve, I found a 1/2" clear plastic tube which was not (maybe never?) connected to anything.  That appears to have been the source of the leak.  The foam insulation in that area is gone and the plywood side is completely perished.  One guess is the tube was never connected when the tub was built.

I guess I'm not clear in how the air flow valves work, where the air pressure comes from-goes to and where water would enter and leak. Is my assumption correct the clear plastic tube should have been connected to the air flow valve?   If not, where should it have been connected?

Had I known there was leak before the tub was installed and gone looking for it, water damage might have been visible through the plywood siding.  After the tub was installed, that left side was 10" from a wall and thus impossible to see and work there chasing a leak. 

Doubtful we'll ever take a chance on a used unit again, but if one were a gift horse, I'd start out in the open, block it up 2' off the ground, fill it and use it for a couple of weeks before permanently installing it.

jack vines

 

[RDspaguy]

2 hours ago, JACKVJR said:

the clear plastic tube should have been connected to the air flow valve?   If not, where should it have been connected?

I don't know. Where does the other end go?

Post some pics.

[JACKVJR]

The lower end of the hose disappears down into the foam insulation.  The side is still next to the wall.  When removal and demolition begins, I'll follow the tube to the source and take some photos.

 

jack vines