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Old 05-27-2018, 10:12 AM   #1
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Sudden Water Pump Issues

I have a 2017 Chaparral 392 MBL. My water pump was working flawlessly until the FIL decided to help and filled my unit with water while I was away.

Now, when I turn on any tap, the water slows to barely a trickle for 40-50 seconds before the pump kicks in and starts to pressurize everything again. It also seems like it looses pressure between cycles. Any ideas????

Also, how do I access the pump, it’s behind that big white control panel in the “basement” of the trailer.

Thanks!!
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Old 05-27-2018, 05:27 PM   #2
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Anyone??
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Old 05-27-2018, 06:03 PM   #3
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have you tried another faucet or the shower to see how it runs? Take the screen off the faucet and see if it is clogged.
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Old 05-27-2018, 06:05 PM   #4
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have you tried another faucet or the shower to see how it runs? Take the screen off the faucet and see if it is clogged.


No, it’s every faucet, shower and toilet. It’s the entire trailer. Once the water trickles for a while the pump eventually kicks in and the pressure comes up to where it should be.....it just takes a VERY long time
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Old 05-27-2018, 06:52 PM   #5
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Have you check if you have an on-board water filter system that might be plugged? Filter might need to be changed.
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Old 05-27-2018, 07:03 PM   #6
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Have you check if you have an on-board water filter system that might be plugged? Filter might need to be changed.


Thats was o e of my thoughts as well but I can’t figure how to remove that main panel with all the inlets, water filter and dump valves.
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Old 05-27-2018, 07:16 PM   #7
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Inside your large storage there must be a panel that you can remove to access behind the water service bay.
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Old 05-27-2018, 07:33 PM   #8
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Inside your large storage there must be a panel that you can remove to access behind the water service bay.


Yes, there is and I know the pump is behind it but my problem is I can’t figure out how to remove the panel.

The pump behaves almost like there is air in the lines but it does not seem to purge. Three days ago it was completely fine, yesterday, after a fill, it’s hooped
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Old 05-27-2018, 07:38 PM   #9
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OK, hope someone with similar unit can help you further.
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Old 05-27-2018, 07:48 PM   #10
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Probably a leak in the suction side of the pump or a check valve. Check the fittings at the pump. Do you have clear fittings so you can see the water?
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Old 05-27-2018, 09:10 PM   #11
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Is it the hot water and the cold both? Mine will act like that when I first fill it up to use it if the hot water tank has not been purged of air.
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Old 05-27-2018, 09:53 PM   #12
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I agree with fonzie, once you know how to access the pump inspect and clean the silt screen and then drain and rinse the freshwater tank.
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Old 05-28-2018, 12:06 AM   #13
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Sudden Water Pump Issues

OK, so I was able to figure out what panel I need to remove to access the pump. Problem is, it’s about 5 feet under the floor from the access point through a small space that I will have to crawl into....at 6’2 and 280, it’s going to be a challenge.

When I removed the panel, it sounded like the pump was quietly humming despite all taps being turned off. When I start the water flow as well I can hear bubbling from what I think is the H/W tank but it stopped before I could get out there to confirm.

It’s now 23:00 (11:00 pm) and I am done for the night....I can’t see, I’m frustrated and am getting EATEN ALIVE by mosquitoes!!!!
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Old 05-28-2018, 12:41 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Gsxrgrizz View Post
OK, so I was able to figure out what panel I need to remove to access the pump. Problem is, it’s about 5 feet under the floor from the access point through a small space that I will have to crawl into....at 6’2 and 280, it’s going to be a challenge.

When I removed the panel, it sounded like the pump was quietly humming despite all taps being turned off. When I start the water flow as well I can hear bubbling from what I think is the H/W tank but it stopped before I could get out there to confirm.

It’s now 23:00 (11:00 pm) and I am done for the night....I can’t see, I’m frustrated and am getting EATEN ALIVE by mosquitoes!!!!
My water pump did that very same thing a couple of weeks ago when I was getting ready to leave Albuquerque...

I had drained the fresh water tank and rinsed it out a couple of times, then filled it to about 1/3 tank.

Then the water pump just made that humming sound...

I tapped on it with a hammer a couple of times...didn't work...fussed around with it for 20 minutes...still nothing.

So I decided to wait and figure it out later and shut the pump off.

When I arrived in Flagstaff, AZ about six hours later...it worked as if nothing ever happened!

I'm thinking maybe some air in the pump that got bounced out on the road...
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Old 05-28-2018, 12:46 AM   #15
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My water pump did that very same thing a couple of weeks ago when I was getting ready to leave Albuquerque...



I had drained the fresh water tank and rinsed it out a couple of times, then filled it to about 1/3 tank.



Then the water pump just made that humming sound...



I tapped on it with a hammer a couple of times...didn't work...fussed around with it for 20 minutes...still nothing.



So I decided to wait and figure it out later and shut the pump off.



When I arrived in Flagstaff, AZ about six hours later...it worked as if nothing ever happened!



I'm thinking maybe some air in the pump that got bounced out on the road...

I am starting to think it’s air in the system as well however I can’t seem to get it out. To make it worse, our trailer is at a seasonal lot so it’s hopefully not moving for the next 4 months.

Outside of running the taps, which I have done with what I am sure are gallons of water by now, any other tips on purging air from the system for both the cold and H/W tank?
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Old 05-28-2018, 01:07 AM   #16
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You should have a pressure relief valve on your water heater...

Should be on the upper right...just be sure the water isn't hot when you pull that.

I pull mine and let some of the water out about twice a month...

That might help...
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Old 05-28-2018, 07:02 AM   #17
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If you are hearing bubbbling from the HW tank I would suspect an air leak on the line to the water pump, between the pump and the Fresh water tank. Since you have a difficult access to the pump, when you go in there take along a catch bowl and some rags, with the pump turned off disconnect the outlet water pipe, get the catch bowl in place and have someone turn the pump on for 2 seconds then turn it off again. You should get a good flow of water. Depending on what you find you can then go through a process of elimination to find the issue.
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Old 05-28-2018, 09:46 AM   #18
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One other thing that should work as well...

Run the water pump through the outside shower faucet...

That is most likely the lowest point faucet in the RV.

I've bled air out of the water pump that way with success.
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Old 05-28-2018, 08:20 PM   #19
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I have had the same issue with my pump and using the outside shower primed the pump and it has worked well ever since. I have also heard that using city water to apply pressure to the system for a while will also help.
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Old 05-28-2018, 08:37 PM   #20
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Check that your winterization valve is fully closed. You may be sucking air through it.
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