water pump issue

rogeru · 03-30-2018, 03:11 PM

I just de-winterized our camper, and had the following problem: I filled the water tank about half way. When I turned on the pump, it continued to run, until I shut it off. So, the pump is running, yet no water is coming through the faucets. And, the pump won't shut off unless you shut down the switch. The city water went through fine, and I cleared all of the lines of winterizer, checked for leaks, and all was good. Any ideas? Thanks

**JRTJH** · 03-30-2018, 05:13 PM

It sounds like the pump "inlet" is not drawing water from the fresh water tank. Depending on how your trailer is plumbed, you may have a valve that is turned to draw antifreeze into the pump and that valve needs to be turned "back to the other position" to draw water from the FW tank. Or, you may have a separate fitting with a hose on it that you must install on the pump inlet to draw antifreeze and then reinstall the FW tank hose/fitting to draw from the tank. If that fitting is damaged or the O-ring is not sealing properly, air will be drawn into the pump and it can't create a vacuum to pull water from the tank.

So, check your valves if you have a "water system center" and check your fittings on the inlet side of the water pump if you have a "old fashioned" system.

rogeru · 03-30-2018, 05:44 PM

Thanks for the advice, John....I do have a bypass valve with short hose to draw the antifreeze when winterizing. I put that little hose into a cup of water, withe the valve turned down - nothing happened. Then I did the same thing with the valve turned the other way - still nothing. Do you think maybe a screen should be checked?

**chuckster57** · 03-30-2018, 05:53 PM

Yes check the screen and the housing. I’ve seen the housing crack.

**JRTJH** · 03-30-2018, 06:25 PM

I agree. If you have a "screen and filter housing" between the FW tank and the pump, they sometimes crack with freezing, and if there was any water in the pump head and it froze, it may have cracked the head. If either happened, the pump won't draw water or pump water into the system. Check the screen and housing, possibly pull the pump and remove the pump head. There are 4 screws to take it off the motor. Pay attention to how it comes apart so you can put it back together without spare parts!!!!

Possibly you can identify the damage/cracked housing. You can buypass the filter/screen if you choose, but risk getting sawdust or plastic shavings into your pump and can damage the diaphragm. So, if you do remove the screen and housing, I'd replace it ASAP. If the pump head is damaged, you can buy a pump head for about $30 and sometimes hard to find locally, but a new pump is usually readily available and costs about $50- $75. If you've been thinking about upgrading your pump, this would be a time to consider the plunge. Or, you can just buy a replacement like the one that is damaged and it will be a "direct one for one exchange".

Steveo57 · 03-30-2018, 06:32 PM

Did you have a faucet open when you were running the pump? It can't prime if there's no flow path open.

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rogeru · 03-31-2018, 04:00 AM

I'm going to go over and check it out today, (when it gets warmer!). Thanks very much for all the tips, too!

rogeru · 03-31-2018, 04:12 AM

I gave it plenty of time to get primed, but I am going to utilize you guys tips

Frank G · 03-31-2018, 05:36 AM

Do you have the Anderson Kantleak 4 way valve? If you do it may be the Issue. I've replaced mine twice. Simple to pull apart and check.

Remove the black knob
Remove the set screw, bottom of brass ring (its hidden)
Remove Brass Ring
Reinstall Black knob, twist and pull out

DO Not use petroleum products to reinstall.

Below is link to purchase repair kit
http://www.fitzilla.com/Store/page188.html

Hope this helps

rogeru · 03-31-2018, 05:42 AM

Thank you, Frank G. Will check it out today!

Steveo57 · 03-31-2018, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogeru

I gave it plenty of time to get primed, but I am going to utilize you guys tips

I know it was a silly question but you never know. Hope you get it going with out too much trouble. I'm sure it's nothing that a few days of hard work and a few thousand bucks $$ can't fix! [emoji6]

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Lee · 03-31-2018, 06:51 AM

Hi,

I have had the same problem before.

For some reason the pump would not prime. I opened the valve that controls the short hose that is used for winterizing and poured water down it to fill the cavity in the pump. Then closed the valve and turned on the pump... Wa-Laa is worked.

Lee

rogeru · 03-31-2018, 09:14 AM

Just what we need.....someone who thinks he's a funny man. Gee, Steveo57....maybe you could be on Colbert's show.

rogeru · 03-31-2018, 09:28 AM

Steveo57: I owe you an apology. I didn't see your first post, and only read your second one......thanks for trying to help me out. I'm sorry for the wise guy response.

Steveo57 · 03-31-2018, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogeru

Steveo57: I owe you an apology. I didn't see your first post, and only read your second one......thanks for trying to help me out. I'm sorry for the wise guy response.

No problem, I can see now how someone could take my response the wrong way. Trust me I wasn't calling your question a silly one, I was referring to my question and just making light of the struggle we have as RV owners with the constant little problems that always crop up.

How did you make out with the pump problem today?

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rogeru · 03-31-2018, 02:21 PM

Thanks..... the water pump worked today for some reason, (which I do not know). Now my problem is that it won't shut off unless I turn it off at the panel....always something

jsmith948 · 03-31-2018, 02:48 PM

If the pump won't shut off on its own, then it isn't building up enough pressure to trigger the pressure switch. This could be caused by a leak somewhere in the system or the built in pressure switch is malfunctioning. Another possibility is the pump is sucking air. Does the system seem to have a lot of air in it?
Have you purged all of the air out of the lines by opening one faucet at a time until it quits sputtering?

rogeru · 03-31-2018, 03:28 PM

I don't believe that there is a leak, but I will check again. Guess I will pull the pump and check it out....thanks guys

bobbecky · 03-31-2018, 05:32 PM

I don't believe this was mentioned, and I'm not familiar with your rig's valves, but do you have a tank fill valve, where you can fill your fresh tank from the city water connection just by turning the tank fill valve? If so, and it's turned to the fill position, you will have a hard time getting the pump to work and also to stop the pump from running. It needs to be in the normal position when not filling the tank.

SummitPond · 03-31-2018, 05:38 PM

Here's an odd thought (don't ask how I know) ... do you have an outside shower head, and did you close it after you winterized? If it is open then water would continue to flow and the pump would continue to run.

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