Water coming out of anti freeze inlet

Klbrown53 · 09-30-2016, 06:53 PM

A little weird,

We have had no problems this season but this time hooked to site water there is water coming out of anti freeze inlet. Not all of the water but some. I was able to stop it by capping to inlet but after a couple of hours I started seeing water inside. I believe I caught it in time that it didn't do any damage inside. I took the cap back off and it was under considerable pressure. Then when I turned the water source back on it no longer leaked.

I am good for now since it's not leaking but still concerned on what's causing it. I'm gonna take a wild guess that it has something to do with the 12 volt water pump.

As a sidenote, I no longer have the filter hooked up. I now filter my water outside. But, it has been working fine for the last two years.

Suggestions?

Klbrown53 · 09-30-2016, 06:56 PM

I forgot to mention that I never use the freshwater tank.

dieselguy · 09-30-2016, 07:19 PM

There is a backflow preventer (check valve) in the winterizing port. Sometimes the disk gets dislodged and water when pressurized can come out the port. Just poke something small in the port and you'll reseat the check valve. It's spring loaded. Never use the freshwater tank? You must never dry camp. Fresh water tank filled maybe 1/3 is pretty handy on the road for stops on the way to your destination ... you don't have to drink from it.

Klbrown53 · 09-30-2016, 09:18 PM

I see a screen in the inlet port. Assume the disc is behind this screen?

Haven't had a place or need to boondock yet. Momma likes state parks a lot.

Maybe someday.

rockfordroo · 09-30-2016, 09:40 PM

You should also have a valve between the water pump and the AF inlet, and another between the water pump and the FW tank. Recently they've started replacing these two valves with single 3-way valve.

So if there's water coming out of your AF inlet, you have 2 problems: 1. The check valve in the water pump is leaking backwards and 2. the check valve at the AF inlet connection (as you've already been told) is leaking. Also, you've got the valves lined up so the AF connection is tied to the water pump. If you swap your valves, you'll have it lined up to your FW tank, and then the water will leak back into your FW tank.

See attached pic, it may help you.

Klbrown53 · 09-30-2016, 10:14 PM

Thx folks.

Dark now so this will give me something to check tomorrow.

rockfordroo · 09-30-2016, 10:41 PM

If you put some water in your FW tank, you can then turn off the city water and pump the FW tank water through the system. This usually will re-seat the water pump's check valve and you'll be good to go.

If you have a 2-3 ft piece of hose, you could also attach it to your AF inlet, put the other end in a water source (e.g., a jug or tub) and pump that through. This would put water through both the AF inlet check valve and the water pump check valve and would probably re-seat them both.

Good luck.

bubbles · 10-01-2016, 07:50 AM

Just curious. If the antifreeze, holding tank, shore water inputs are selected via manual valves what are the check valves in these lines for. It's just one or the other. The only check valve I know of is internal to the water pump.

5picker · 10-01-2016, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbles

Just curious. If the antifreeze, holding tank, shore water inputs are selected via manual valves what are the check valves in these lines for. It's just one or the other. The only check valve I know of is internal to the water pump.

I'm wondering that too?
None of my units with winterizing ports ever had check valves in them, including our current Flagstaff 8529IKBS.

Once you get past the little screen on the port, it is a straight shot to the pump. (with the exception of the selection valve for the water tank/antifreeze port)

rockfordroo · 10-01-2016, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

I'm wondering that too?
None of my units with winterizing ports ever had check valves in them, including our current Flagstaff 8529IKBS.

Once you get past the little screen on the port, it is a straight shot to the pump. (with the exception of the selection valve for the water tank/antifreeze port)

Your city water port HAS to have a check valve, because if it didn't, your water pump would pump your FW tank right out of the port. (Otherwise you'd only be counting on the "cleanliness plug" to keep the water in.) If it doesn't have a check valve, it would need a real valve that you would have to close before using your water pump. I've never heard of any TT having that, but I guess it's possible.

The AF port doesn't NEED a check valve, but I believe most AF ports have them simply because they buy a bunch of ports and install them. Easier to buy just the one kind with check valves and not buy two different types and then make a mistake and install the wrong port in the wrong place.

bubbles · 10-01-2016, 09:38 AM

Yes, the input port for shore water will have a check valve at that port but check valves for the AF/Holding tank inputs I believe are not the norm. That is why there are numerous questions on this forum as to "why is my holding tank filling up when connected to shore water". The install of check valves at those sources would be the exception not the typical (norm) and this is the first I have heard of such a set up. Now, I don't keep my ears tuned in to all issues on this forum and maybe I just missed this one.

rockfordroo · 10-01-2016, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbles

Yes, the input port for shore water will have a check valve at that port but check valves for the AF/Holding tank inputs I believe are not the norm. That is why there are numerous questions on this forum as to "why is my holding tank filling up when connected to shore water". The install of check valves at those sources would be the exception not the typical (norm) and this is the first I have heard of such a set up. Now, I don't keep my ears tuned in to all issues on this forum and maybe I just missed this one.

Not sure why you're bringing up the FW tank. That can fill up simply because the water pump check valve is leaking and would have nothing to do with whether the the AF port had a check valve or not.

I'm pretty sure my Roo had an AF port check valve. Guess I'll be checking my Mini Lite AF port this week to see if it has a check valve!

But if the city water and AF ports were different, I'd have expected to see a lot more "why is my city water port leaking" issues that were NOT solved by re-seating the check valve than we see on this forum. We'd be seeing people complaining that they HAD no check valve. I'm basing this on my expectation that the manufacturer would install the wrong port in the wrong place. And I'm basing that expectation on all the other mistakes they seem to make; I can't believe they wouldn't mess this up unless they couldn't mess it up.

**Flybob** · 10-01-2016, 10:01 AM

The antifreeze input port has a manual positive shut off valve. Check to see that it is completely closed. If it is open just a little, you water pump will not operate properly when using the fresh water tank and if the pump check valve is not seated well can leak water when on city water.

5picker · 10-01-2016, 06:46 PM

Rockfordroo... I was agreeing to bubbles and questioning why you mentioned about an ANTIFREEZE port check valve. I've never had a unit that has had one.

Yes, we all understand why the city water port has to have a check valve and the thinking that they buy a bunch of them all the same has merit but of the three exactly like ports on my Flagstaff, only the city water port has a check valve. Neither the antifreeze port or the black tank flush port does.

Also, I've seen several posts on here of folks complaining about city water back flowing out the antifreeze port when they have the antifreeze/fresh water valve in the improper position so I believe check valves in the antifreeze ports are in the minority.

rockfordroo · 10-01-2016, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

Rockfordroo... I was agreeing to bubbles and questioning why you mentioned about an ANTIFREEZE port check valve. I've never had a unit that has had one.

Yes, we all understand why the city water port has to have a check valve and the thinking that they buy a bunch of them all the same has merit but of the three exactly like ports on my Flagstaff, only the city water port has a check valve. Neither the antifreeze port or the black tank flush port does.

Also, I've seen several posts on here of folks complaining about city water back flowing out the antifreeze port when they have the antifreeze/fresh water valve in the improper position so I believe check valves in the antifreeze ports are in the minority.

Like I said, I'm going to have to check mine. You may very well be correct.

Klbrown53 · 10-02-2016, 08:20 PM

Update.

Changed campground today and started having water out of the AF inlet again. I removed the screen and do not see any reset device in the AF inlet. I hooked up city water to the AF inlet and turned it on for about 2 seconds and then back off and hooked the hose back up to city water inlet and the leaking stopped.

5picker · 10-02-2016, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klbrown53

Update.

Changed campground today and started having water out of the AF inlet again. I removed the screen and do not see any reset device in the AF inlet. I hooked up city water to the AF inlet and turned it on for about 2 seconds and then back off and hooked the hose back up to city water inlet and the leaking stopped.

Just be careful hooking city water to the antifreeze inlet. That is the suction side (low pressure) and depending on water pressure, could cause problems. Are you using a regulator or checking campground pressures when connecting your water supply

Klbrown53 · 10-02-2016, 09:39 PM

Yes, I am using a 40 lb regulator.

Gonna see if I can figure out how to do a pump reset now.

rockfordroo · 10-02-2016, 10:02 PM

Sounds like it worked out for you to reset the FW pumps check valve.

I may be putting words in his mouth, but I think 5picker's concern is that you're putting full city water pressure on the suction of the FW pump. PROBABLY won't hurt it, since it ultimately puts out a similar pressure, but who knows?

5picker · 10-03-2016, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Sounds like it worked out for you to reset the FW pumps check valve.

I may be putting words in his mouth, but I think 5picker's concern is that you're putting full city water pressure on the suction of the FW pump. PROBABLY won't hurt it, since it ultimately puts out a similar pressure, but who knows?

Not putting words in my mouth... that was my concern.
I would hope no problem comes of it and that's one of the reasons I questioned the use of a regulator.

Not so concerned about the pump but remember, most of these systems have a suction strainer on the inlet side of the pump. They are NOT designed for pressure. I could envision hooking city water with the possibility of 80 psi to the antifreeze inlet as a way to create problems.

You may also like: