water pump help needed

[klmurphy]

Please forgive my ignorance on this topic as plumbing is definitely not my forte. I have read numerous instances where folks described their city water connection overflowing into their fresh water tank. And lots of water pump priming topics. I'm learning just enough to be dangerous. However my issue is that when I turn on the water pump to use water from the tank, it will also backflow and leak outside the RV at the city water connection. (I am not hooked up to city water at the moment) I have decent enough pressure in the faucets and shower. Once I turn the faucet off, water will continue to leak out the city water connection outside and the water pump loses its prime. Some threads I've read indicate that a problem with check valve, most likely in the water pump itself, could cause backflow but everything I've seen thus far is that the backflow occurs out the fresh water tank fill, not the city water connection. (or maybe I'm misunderstanding) Another earlier thread mentions reseating the backflow valve behind the screen on the city water connection. Again, I am a plumbing novice and although willing to explore different fixes, I'm not sure I would recognize the problem if it hit me in the head. Having said that, would welcome suggestions on what to check first in order to save tremendous aggrevation.

This issue is on a 2010 Cardinal 3515. The water pump is the original. We live full-time and normally hook up to the city water connection and have not used the water pump since last year. Where we have been most recently, for 5 months, the water had quite a bit of rust and sediment. We changed the in-line filter twice and used the blue disposable Camco filters attached to the hose as well. Those were changed monthly. I have run quite a bit of water through the water pump and thought if something was stuck, it would have become unstuck by now. Assume there are parts & such that could be cleaned before contemplating a new water pump--again, would appreciate some direction.

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

[jeff64]

There is a check valve at the city water inlet connection too. The outlet of the pump and city water inlet are "T'd" together. I suppose you could get a plastic male GHT plug and thread it into the city water connection. That would stop the leak, quickly and cheaply. On mine, I think that check valve is an integral part of the city water connector which would be replaced as an assembly

[youroo]

Originally Posted by jeff64

There is a check valve at the city water inlet connection too. The outlet of the pump and city water inlet are "T'd" together. I suppose you could get a plastic male GHT plug and thread it into the city water connection. That would stop the leak, quickly and cheaply. On mine, I think that check valve is an integral part of the city water connector which would be replaced as an assembly

Good advice,Temp plug until properly repaired! Youroo!!

[5picker]

Your problem is the check valve at the city water connection.
It keeps pump pressure from pushing water out the city connection when using the pump.
Most times there is a screen over the check valve that you have to remove to gain access to the check valve.
There should be a little plastic nub sticking out towards you.
You will push that in (it is spring loaded) and let it pop back out to try to reseat.
Caution: If the pump is on or you have not drained the pressure at a faucet you'll likely get wet! It probably has debris in it but sometimes I've seen them fail or break.

If you can't get it to seat, find a plug to screw into the city connection or a hose shut off and screw it on and turn the knob off. Something like this...

[5picker]

Here is the best photo I could find of the city water check valve.
The inlet screen has already been removed.

[5picker]

Here is a video that will help explain the check valve.

RV city water check valve.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by tcorl

You are missing the screen washer that pushes the check valve in. If the screen washer is turned around the water pump will shoot the water out the city water. I see you do not have a screen washer in the city water inlet. You need this to filter the water coming in to your trailer.

Who's photo are you looking at?
I don't see where the OP posted a photo of his city water inlet?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by tcorl

There is a little screen washer the goes in the city water inlet YOU ARE MISSING THIS. LOOK AT OTHER CAMPERS WHERE YOU ARE CAMPING.

No need to SHOUT!

I will ask you one more time...
How do you know the OP is missing the screen inlet?

The photo which I posted was an internet snag of a city water inlet.
I also cautioned in the post that the screen had already been removed.
I used that photo for reference so the OP could see the check valve.

Also, the screen inlet does not push the check valve in as you've suggested.
The check valve snaps in the inlet on its own. The screen simply prevents large debris from entering the city water inlet.

[tcorl]

Sorry but I thought this was your city water inlet. On my 5th wheel the screen is facing out. I had this turned around on mine and when we were dry camping and turned the pump on and water came out the city water inlet. Good luck with your problem

[rockfordroo]

Here's a generic plumbing diagram. Should cover about 95% of RV's.