Got a clogged water line on your used hot dog cart? Follow along to see several ways to fix it.
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Hi Steve,
I recently purchased a used hot dog cart made by Custom Sales & Service in Hammonton, NJ. It’s a model 525. It was manufactured in 1985 and in great condition with 1 exception. The water to the cold faucets will not flow, they barely drip and it is apparent there must be an obstruction. (Hot water flows fine).
I contacted the manufacturer and purchased the owner manual yesterday but it did not have a schematic of the plumbing. I sent an e-mail to the company asking if they had any thoughts or suggestions on how to determine the issue and or is it possible to remove the stainless steel skin and get inside the box and re-plumb it.
Does anyone have an older 525 cart that has experienced a similar issue?
Mr. Bill
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Hi Bill,
The 525 is a very well made cart so congrats on that.
A few thoughts…
First, gravity feed water systems (no pump) are notorious for trickling and clogging. There just isn’t enough pressure to keep the pipes clean. However there are some advantages to gravity feed systems, namely they conserve water very well.
So, is there a water pump on your cart? I know the older 525 comes stock with a gravity feed system (no pump) but perhaps a pump was installed at some time in the cart’s life. If there is a pump, perhaps it is only plumbed into the hot water line? Probably not, but check anyways.
Next, try blowing out the cold water line with compressed air. Open the cold water faucet. Get a piece of modeling clay and mold it around your air hose nozzle. Push the clay down on the water fill fitting and hold it on firmly with your hand. This will create a seal for the air pressure. Blow out the line and see if anything comes out. You can also do this with a small amount of water in the tank. Forcing water through the plumbing helps flush out partial obstructions that air can just pass by.
If that doesn’t work you will need to access the interior of the hot dog cart so you can replace that cold water line. Try to find an access door, go through a cooler access hole, etc.
If you don’t have such access, take a look at the bottom side of the hot dog cart and see if you can remove the flooring. This is a lot better than trying to remove a side or top skin because you don’t have to worry about cosmetics. If you need to get rough and bend or cut things, it won’t show.
How to remove the sheet metal skin. If the skin is riveted on, just drill out the rivets. You can re-rivet them with a pop rivet gun from the local hardware.
If the skin is welded on, you can drill out the spot welds with a carbide bit, or grind through them with a hand held die grinder. As above, reattach the skin by drilling an 1/8 inch hole through the skin and the frame, then fasten with pop rivets.
Once you get inside it should be a simple matter to replace the clogged water line.
Let us know what you ended up doing Bill.
OK slingers, did I miss anything? How would you tackle this used hot dog cart repair project?
-Steve
One other possibility I’ve done before, not on a hotdog cart , but in the Dairy I worked at was to find an air line that fit inside the tubing and push it into the line…. The opening in the air line will actually take some of the clog out with it, then a water pressure rinse should clean out the rest.
Good Luck
Pete
Great tip Pete! Thank you.
Use the KISS method…
start where the water should come out.
Remove the faucet knob and make sure it is not stripped out
Remove the valve stem and check that the washer is not stuck in the bottom.
Repair parts are available at Lowes and Home Depot.
Use a wet and dry vac to suck out the valve stem area and see if water starts to flow.
Sam Witte
I started with the 525. It’s a good cart and I’m familiar with the gravety flow system. My first guess is a buildup of minerals from the water. All is not lost if there is even a drip going on. Try letting it drain then pour in a quart of CLR. When the CLR starts coming out of the spigot shut it off and leave overnight. Fill the tank with water and open the spigots. Did I mention crossing your fingers?
After you finish flushing, treat periodically with white vinegar.
i had the same year 525 great cart . a little heavy tho. i used a small metal snake and went thru the top of the tank . the line is about 8 in long. the blockage should be in the 90 deg elbow. then there is a 3in long piece that leads to the spigot. hope this helps.
Depending on the ID size of the water line, most music stores that handle band instruments will carry a long flexible metal device with small brushes on the ends to clean the tubing on instruments like trumpets, etc. It’s like a small Roto-Rooter cable and very flexible. Never tried it on a water line but it might work.
Wow. Great idea! Thanks Dave!
My friend Kevin Kellerher swears by the 3/8 inch Hagley Wrench!
My tip of the day is that the Dollar store sells squirt guns that look like a giant crayon. I use this to unclog my cooler drain by pumping water in and out with the spout of the pump stuck into the drain. The same can be used to clean out any clog from any waterline if it’s a fairly mild obstruction. It won’t work on mineral deposits, though.
Awesome tip Robin.
Have not had any problems yet, but wow what a reference of ideas!
I’ve always used Draino and other pipe clearing liquids to completely clean and clear my water stuff. I usually do it a couple times a year and things always seem to be working.
Be sure to flush that stuff out big time.
Its hot dog season and I’m getting my cart ready. The problem I’m having is with the pressure to activate the heater on the water tank. I hooked the water tank up to the hose at my house and the heater kicked in just fine. When I hook it up on my cart their doesn’t seem to be enough pressure to kick start the heater. Please let me know what the problem might be and what parts are needed to repair fix.
Thanks so much.
Try adjusting the water pressure dial on the heater. It is probably set too high. Otherwise, check your pump. Make sure it is working. An easy way to do that is to disconnect the water line before it goes into the water heater and turn the pump on.
I have a question I bought a used card and I only bought 3 new water heaters so we know it’s not the water heater have a new water pump my hot dog cart is electric but the hot water will not come out but the cold water does run
You need to adjust the water pressure dial.