Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-06-2017, 07:57 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
woodyrock1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Clifton Tennessee
Posts: 578
Fresh water pump

So we set up at campground today and have to use FW Tank because there is no water hook up here. I have used the pump this year without any problems but today it wouldn't work. Turn the pump on and it just runs and no water comes out of any faucets. I have a full tank of fresh water, valve for winterization is good but nothing, no leaks anywhere and from any connections I can see all seems good. Sounds like the pump is humming and not chugging away as usual . No air puffing or any water spitting, not a drop from any faucet or from the toilet. So at this point it is showers in the public place, water holding cans for toilet and another for washing hands throughout the day. Water bottles for coffee and such. It could be worse, I could be at work right? Oh well, just 4 days like this. Heck I use to tent camp so this is a cake walk. Ok it's aggravating as hell but we will survive.
__________________
05 Ram 3500 Cummins Dually
14 8280WS Rockwood Sig. Ultra Lite
Prodigy 3 brake Controller
TST 507 TPMS
2017 = 30 nights /
2018 = 7 nights
woodyrock1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2017, 08:20 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 213
Sounds like the pump is not priming. 1. Are you sure there is water in the tank? 2. If yes, try opening the pump at the filter glass and put water into the hose in an attempt to prime the pump.

Sent from my Pixel using Forest River Forums mobile app
__________________
David Cournoyer
2015 F250 SRW 4x4 Crew Cab Platinum
6.7L Powerstroke V-8 Diesel
2013 Rockwood Windjammer 3001w Diamond
Handydc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2017, 09:06 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
Are you sure the antifreeze valve is set correctly? Just for kicks, move it to the other position.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)

2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
rockfordroo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2017, 07:40 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
woodyrock1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Clifton Tennessee
Posts: 578
Absolutely yes about water in tank and yes the antifreeze valve is set correctly. The pump was working great for a 4 day trip boondocking last month. I double and triple checked the antifreeze valve trying to figure it out yesterday. I will attempt what handydc suggested since I didn't prime the pump but I'm thinking the pump might be fried.
Thanks for the suggestions, hopefully it works. I will keep you posted.
__________________
05 Ram 3500 Cummins Dually
14 8280WS Rockwood Sig. Ultra Lite
Prodigy 3 brake Controller
TST 507 TPMS
2017 = 30 nights /
2018 = 7 nights
woodyrock1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2017, 07:45 AM   #5
Site Team
 
KyDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,505
You're sure the pump motor is running right?

Did you open a faucet and just let the pump run for several minutes??
I once had a baulky pump that would be stubborn to prime the first time
each trip.
Opening a faucet with the pump running always worked but sometimes it
could take a minute or more.
Once it primed it would be fine the rest of the trip.

As a last resort try loosening the line going to the pump inlet and
pour a dribble of water into the line while the pump is running.
As soon as it takes up that water shut off the pump and reconnect the
line and try again- with a faucet open.

Please let us know what happens!
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
KyDan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2017, 07:54 AM   #6
Phat Phrog Stunt Crew
 
elind's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Upper Penisula Michigan / Arizona
Posts: 2,767
Try opening the antifreeze valve with the siphon hose in a gallon of water. If it primes up the turn the valve to FW line.
__________________
Ed & Ruthann / Toby and Tucker
2014 GMC Sierra Crewcab 2500 Duramax
2014 Wildcat 327ck
elind is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2017, 11:04 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
woodyrock1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Clifton Tennessee
Posts: 578
Tried a few more things but nothing. I disconnected the hose and placed my hand over pump and felt suction. I ran pump with faucet(s) open and still nothing. I tried to prime it as suggested by others with no results. I'm stumped.
__________________
05 Ram 3500 Cummins Dually
14 8280WS Rockwood Sig. Ultra Lite
Prodigy 3 brake Controller
TST 507 TPMS
2017 = 30 nights /
2018 = 7 nights
woodyrock1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2017, 12:24 PM   #8
Site Team
 
KyDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,505
If you felt suction at the pump it sure sounds like it's getting air somewhere.
Are you absolutely sure the fresh tank has water??
Positive the antifreeze line is off and capped!!

It sure sounds like it's sucking air.
Where is that coming from???
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
KyDan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2017, 12:34 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 5,712
Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan View Post
If you felt suction at the pump it sure sounds like it's getting air somewhere.
Are you absolutely sure the fresh tank has water??
Positive the antifreeze line is off and capped!!

It sure sounds like it's sucking air.
Where is that coming from???
If you had an air leak, you wouldn't feel any suction when you put your hand over the pump inlet. If the suction is there, then it's the water that's NOT there for some reason.
TheWolfPaq82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2017, 02:12 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
woodyrock1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Clifton Tennessee
Posts: 578
Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan View Post
If you felt suction at the pump it sure sounds like it's getting air somewhere.
Are you absolutely sure the fresh tank has water??
Positive the antifreeze line is off and capped!!

It sure sounds like it's sucking air.
Where is that coming from???


130% certain there is water in tank. 130% antifreeze line is off. Also used pump on boondocking trip last month without any issues. This is kicking my &$$ trying to figure it out. Not letting it ruin my trip now. I am still using toilet and filling bowl with fresh water from water containers. If it's yellow we let it mellow. Showers and any dishes at bathhouse which has a nice setup for dishes.
__________________
05 Ram 3500 Cummins Dually
14 8280WS Rockwood Sig. Ultra Lite
Prodigy 3 brake Controller
TST 507 TPMS
2017 = 30 nights /
2018 = 7 nights
woodyrock1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2017, 03:48 PM   #11
Phat Phrog Stunt Crew
 
elind's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Upper Penisula Michigan / Arizona
Posts: 2,767
I had the same problem the last time I use the fresh water tank. I had drained my tank and lost the water in the line. It took a while but it finally primed up.

Did you try to suck water through the winterization tube like you would be adding anti-freeze to your system? If water is sucked up from that point then you have a blockage from the tank or an air leak in the line. If it doesn't draw water from the winterization tube check the strainer next to the pump for debris in it.
__________________
Ed & Ruthann / Toby and Tucker
2014 GMC Sierra Crewcab 2500 Duramax
2014 Wildcat 327ck
elind is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2017, 04:00 PM   #12
Pickin', Campin', Mason
 
5picker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
One quick thing to check... if you unit has a clear suction strainer that screws into the pump inlet... make sure it hasn't vibrated loose. I had a camper that kicked my butt and I found the suction strainer had unscrewed enough (from the vibration of the pump) to where it sucked air. Tightened it and the line that screws into the suction strainer and all was good. Just a thought.

Have you tried switching the antifreeze valve to suck from the antifreeze port, then connecting a short hose to the antifreeze inlet, pouring it full of water, hold higher than the inlet to allow the water to gravity feed down into the pump to prime it?
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA

Days Camped '19=118 '20=116 '21=123 '22=134 '23=118 '24=64
5picker is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2017, 08:29 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
woodyrock1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Clifton Tennessee
Posts: 578
Well after giving up on water pump yesterday 2 minutes ago I hit the water pump switch for the heck of it for the hundredth time and bam it works now. Very strange but I'm happy
__________________
05 Ram 3500 Cummins Dually
14 8280WS Rockwood Sig. Ultra Lite
Prodigy 3 brake Controller
TST 507 TPMS
2017 = 30 nights /
2018 = 7 nights
woodyrock1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2017, 08:33 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 213
It just wanted to prime on its own terms
__________________
David Cournoyer
2015 F250 SRW 4x4 Crew Cab Platinum
6.7L Powerstroke V-8 Diesel
2013 Rockwood Windjammer 3001w Diamond
Handydc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2017, 08:58 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
woodyrock1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Clifton Tennessee
Posts: 578
Quote:
Originally Posted by Handydc View Post
It just wanted to prime on its own terms


Crazy it took since Sunday to prime on its own. Very strange but I'm a happy camper now. Thanks to everyone for there suggestions on a solution.
__________________
05 Ram 3500 Cummins Dually
14 8280WS Rockwood Sig. Ultra Lite
Prodigy 3 brake Controller
TST 507 TPMS
2017 = 30 nights /
2018 = 7 nights
woodyrock1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2017, 05:53 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 306
I had not used the pump for more than a year (mostly use full-hook up). It wouldn't prime. Hooked a hose to the anitfreeze line and primed it that way. Worked great all week-end.
KKonyha is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fresh water, pump, water, water pump

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:48 PM.