Water pump issue?

[Chardagha]

G’day, I think I may have a water pump issue. I filled my fresh water tank and headed off to a boondocking campground. Here now, but no pressure in my system. Turned the pump on am I get a dribble from my taps, but no real pressure. I want to troubleshoot the pump, but don’t know where to find it. ‘04 Wildcat 5er. Help?

[Joe_GA]

You probably have a water bay. I know nothing about your camper, but look for water valves. Usually, there is a diagram and you can see if all valves are properly set. For instance, I have a valve between my water pump and the fresh water tank. If that is closed, no water.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Joe_GA

You probably have a water bay. I know nothing about your camper, but look for water valves. Usually, there is a diagram and you can see if all valves are properly set. For instance, I have a valve between my water pump and the fresh water tank. If that is closed, no water.

Yes, if you have a water bay, post a pic of the valves in it and let’s start with that. I have a 2015 Wildcat and can compare valve settings.

[onetonford]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Yes, if you have a water bay, post a pic of the valves in it and let’s start with that. I have a 2015 Wildcat and can compare valve settings.

I doubt it has a water bay with valves as it is an older unit mine doesn't, have a water bay yet they build them putting the water pump in some of the worst places I have ever seen mine is in the basement pass thru and mounted to the ceiling the farthest away from the tank as possible. I have had issues with a oem filter screen on the pump leaking air the best way to fix that is to replace it with a inline one. Also, mine has an inline fuse on it at the pump that has blown once so check that.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by onetonford

I doubt it has a water bay with valves as it is an older unit mine doesn't, have a water bay yet they build them putting the water pump in some of the worst places I have ever seen mine is in the basement pass thru and mounted to the ceiling the farthest away from the tank as possible. I have had issues with a oem filter screen on the pump leaking air the best way to fix that is to replace it with a inline one. Also, mine has an inline fuse on it at the pump that has blown once so check that.

Yikes! I read his ‘04 as ‘14. Sorry.

[Chardagha]

Ok, here we go…
I found the water pump in the front bay on the driver side. It runs continuously when switched on, but doesn’t appear to pump.
Is it possible that the pickup tube in the FW tank is too short? I put about 20 gal. Of water in it. I guess the next step is to disconnect the supply line an use another line to see if the pump is pumping if no, replace?

[Capacitor]

Is there a coil of hose and a couple valves near the pump?

[NMWildcat]

If you are getting a dribble out of your taps, the pump is trying. As mentioned earlier, look for a winterization valve around the pump. Or any valve in any of the lines attached to the pump. Being an 04 it might have been modified.
Also check the screen on the pump and ensure the aerators on the faucets are clean.
Fresh water tanks do not usually have a pickup tube inside the tank. The line that goes to the pump is attached to an outside nipple on the lower part of the tank.
If you have access to the pump you can certainly test it if you make up lines with the correct fittings for the pump.
You can run these pumps dry for long periods w/o hurting them. I have accidently left mine on for days with no water So give it time to prime itself by pulling water up from the tank. I usually open and close the furthest faucet to bleed the air out. Sometimes it will take 5 to 10 minutes to prime the first time after winterization. And then it won't really work correctly until I get the air out of all the lines and water heater.
Also make sure your low point drains are closed.
And of course, it could be a bad water pump which is an excellent time to upgrade to a better one

[Joe_GA]

There is a diagram in post #10 of this link. It may help you see how things are connected. The valve that switches from water tank to the antifreeze tube MUST be turned in line with the water tank hose. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=...AAAAAdAAAAABAO

[NavyLCDR]

There is probably a strainer on the inlet side of the pump. A loose cap, damaged or missing O-ring in the cap, or a cracked cap will cause what you describe.

[Chardagha]

These ar photos of my “water bay” showing city water inlet at left, permanent filter cannister, water pump and hose routing. The hose into the pump is from the FW tank.
Tank is full and stil only a dribble from any given spout. I’m thinking weak, bad pump.

[Chardagha]

Hello all, thank you for all the support I received with my water pump issue.
I ended up trying to trace the issue with a friend about 3 weeks ago. We first pulled my pump and replaced the diaphragm with a known good one; still nothing. We checked all lines for obstructions; none. I bought a new pump and replaced it; still nothing. In desperation, we pulled the belly pan at the FW tank to check all connections; all looked fine. Finally, we drove the low side of the rig onto a 4” block to level it out…voila! Water flow.
I’m not sure why 4” would make the difference, the outlet is at the bottom corner of the tank, but it does.
Again, thanks