Water heater bypass leak

It is getting cold enough here so that I decided to 'winterize' the Pod.  I rotated the water heater intake and output valves closed and opened the heater bypass valve.  I proceeded to use the
pump 'antifreeze' input hose.  I ran antifreeze through the plumbing.  At about a 1/2 gallon of
antifreeze I noticed that there was some pink fluid on the floor adjacent to the water heater, I found that the 'bypass' valve was leaking when there was pressure in the pipes!  If I closed the bypass valve the leaking stopped.
There is only about 1/2 inch of plastic pipe on either end of the valve, and the pipes are not connected by threaded fittings but rather with a pressed-fit collar.  It appears that to replace the bad valve, most of the water heater pipes will have to be removed and replaced!
The Pod is under a two year warranty...but I would still have the hassle of hauling the Pod about two hours and leaving it for an unknown time to get fixed.
Since the bypass valve is used only twice a season, I think I am going to leave it the way it is, and use a rag to soak up the leak while I winterize and flush out the pipes in the Spring.
I don't think that the factory ever checked the bypass valve for leaks...it doesn't leak in the closed 'normal' position.  Has anyone else gotten a new Pod with a water valve leak from the factory?