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Old 09-30-2022, 04:21 PM   #1
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What am I doing wrong? (adding antifreeze)

Ok, it’s got to be something simple right?!?

When I power on the water pump, no matter what lever configuration I use the pick up tube just blows air out and bubbles over the antifreeze. I can’t get it to suck in for the life of me. Any ideas?

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Old 09-30-2022, 04:29 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ablarson View Post
Ok, it’s got to be something simple right?!?

When I power on the water pump, no matter what lever configuration I use the pick up tube just blows air out and bubbles over the antifreeze. I can’t get it to suck in for the life of me. Any ideas?

Attachment 279883
Does, or did, the pump work when you used your onboard freshwater tank? Is this your first time trying to winterize with this rig?
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Old 09-30-2022, 04:30 PM   #3
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Yes, onboard pump works fine.
Yes, first time trying to winterize this unit.
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Old 09-30-2022, 04:38 PM   #4
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Can you actually see and access the pump?
It sounds like somewhere, someone hooked up something wrong. The tube in your photo should trace back to within inches of the actual pump, and you might be able to trace a lever which directs what hose the pump draws fluid from…..fresh water tank versus white hose in your photo.
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Old 09-30-2022, 04:45 PM   #5
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Can you actually see and access the pump?

It sounds like somewhere, someone hooked up something wrong. The tube in your photo should trace back to within inches of the actual pump, and you might be able to trace a lever which directs what hose the pump draws fluid from…..fresh water tank versus white hose in your photo.


I can see the pump under the bed. There is only an inlet hose and discharge hose attached to each side.

This white hose goes to the lever marked antifreeze. I removed the cover in the wetbay and see that this hose it attached to the bottom of that lever. One side goes up into the coach and the other side connects to the low point drain.

I’m going to start taking stuff apart 🤷🏼*♂️
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Old 09-30-2022, 05:53 PM   #6
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I can see the pump under the bed. There is only an inlet hose and discharge hose attached to each side.

This white hose goes to the lever marked antifreeze. I removed the cover in the wetbay and see that this hose it attached to the bottom of that lever. One side goes up into the coach and the other side connects to the low point drain.

I’m going to start taking stuff apart 🤷🏼*♂️


If it is going to the low point drain they connected it downstream of the pump (which is wrong) you need it on the upstream side of the pump.
(Had to resist the urge to quote “Spaceballs”…)
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Old 09-30-2022, 06:49 PM   #7
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If it is going to the low point drain they connected it downstream of the pump (which is wrong) you need it on the upstream side of the pump.
(Had to resist the urge to quote “Spaceballs”…)



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Old 09-30-2022, 07:04 PM   #8
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All water valves closed? Sinks? Shower?
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Old 09-30-2022, 07:30 PM   #9
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Open the cold water valve in the bathroom or kitchen sink and try again.
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Old 09-30-2022, 09:21 PM   #10
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All water valves closed? Sinks? Shower?
Because at least one of them should be open.
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Old 10-01-2022, 10:22 AM   #11
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If no valves are opened it bubbles a lot. With each valve opened it bubbles less but still never sucks up antifreeze. I’ve tried opening all valves and turning pump on, opening only one valve and turning pump on, closing all valves and turning pump on and then opening valves, still nothing.

It’s got to be something simple I’m missing
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Old 10-01-2022, 10:31 AM   #12
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If no valves are opened it bubbles a lot. With each valve opened it bubbles less but still never sucks up antifreeze. I’ve tried opening all valves and turning pump on, opening only one valve and turning pump on, closing all valves and turning pump on and then opening valves, still nothing.

It’s got to be something simple I’m missing


Depending on the elevation I’ve had to put a hand pump in the bottle with the discharge side hooked to the pump.

Turn the pump on and use the hand pump to get it primed. Once it starts it pulls right through the hand pump and works fine.
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Old 10-01-2022, 11:28 AM   #13
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Lower your jug so there is no loop in the tube. Should be straight as possible. Hope it works.
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Old 10-01-2022, 11:42 AM   #14
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I had that problem on my Sunseeker and I found a suction leak on the back of the winterizing valve. Mine worked ok for fresh water but wouldn't pick up fluid from the jug. Changed the valve and it worked.
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Old 10-01-2022, 12:15 PM   #15
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Lower your jug so there is no loop in the tube. Should be straight as possible. Hope it works.


It’s on the ground. I just threw it up there for the pic.

Thanks.
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Old 10-01-2022, 12:57 PM   #16
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Actually I did just the opposite. I was having difficulty getting the pump primed when the jug was on the ground. I lifted it up so it was near the level of the pump and then the pump was able to suck it in and prime itself.
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Old 10-01-2022, 02:22 PM   #17
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Actually I did just the opposite. I was having difficulty getting the pump primed when the jug was on the ground. I lifted it up so it was near the level of the pump and then the pump was able to suck it in and prime itself.
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Old 10-01-2022, 02:51 PM   #18
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I wish I could attach a video. There is no amount of height differential or priming that is going to allow this hose to suck anything into it. It either pressurizes or does nothing. If I put my thumb over it for a few seconds it builds up a substantial amount of pressure.

Think I’m just going to have to do the best I can blowing out the lines with air then taking it to the factory or a dealer that will preform the service work. I’ve got to take it in for a generator issue anyway and hopefully they can install a second awning while I’m there.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.
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Old 10-01-2022, 04:13 PM   #19
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If it is attached to the the same hose that goes to the low point drain it is on the “blow” side of the pump. No amount of closing/opening faucets, nor raising or lowering the bottle will mater. The hose needs to be attached to the “suck” side of the pump. Your camper has been switched “from suck to blow” (there, I made my movie reference now [emoji16])
It may have been an accident during build, or maybe someone switched it so they could hook that line up to an air compressor to blow out the lines (which is a better way to go in my opinion)
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Old 10-01-2022, 04:47 PM   #20
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I can see the pump under the bed. There is only an inlet hose and discharge hose attached to each side.

This white hose goes to the lever marked antifreeze. I removed the cover in the wetbay and see that this hose it attached to the bottom of that lever. One side goes up into the coach and the other side connects to the low point drain.

I’m going to start taking stuff apart 🤷🏼*♂️
Do us a favor and post a pic of your pump and this configuration of hoses you described.
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