Prime the pump?

[Texanna1972]

I’m trying to use the water pump for the first time since I’m dry camping, but nothing is happening. The tank is full, the water pump is on , but no water comes out. Any suggestions?

[HangDiver]

Do you have a hot water heater? Outside shower?

[NavyLCDR]

Is the valve for antifreeze suction closed?

[jdunkmg]

If you have a Water Management panel (Nautilus) make sure your levers are in the correct position for dry camping. Not sure what type of camper you have.

[Texanna1972]

It’s a Fleetwood 23’ pop-up, so very basic systems. No anti-freeze valve, but does have outdoor shower.

[5picker]

On your pop-up there there probably isn't any of the sometimes overlooked things (winterizing bypass, showermiser valve) that would not allow the pump to prime.

You may want to look at the clear bowl on the intake side of the pump and see if it is cracked, a common issue. You can always put a short hose on the intake side of the pump to a bucket of water and see if that allows the pump to prime.

Also sometimes leaving a faucet wide open will help prime the pump. You could also pour a little water in the intake side of the pump and then reconnect the line and see if that helps.

[IamProStreet]

You say the pump is on but can you hear it running?

[RangeMaggotBob]

Yes, it needs to be primed. I have to prime mine every spring when I de-winterize. And also the first time we used it.

[Texanna1972]

We found the pump, but it wasn’t very accessible- especially for disconnecting hoses and pouring water. We need professional help!. [emoji854]
Thanks for the advice.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Texanna1972

We found the pump, but it wasn’t very accessible- especially for disconnecting hoses and pouring water. We need professional help!. [emoji854]
Thanks for the advice.

They are often tucked away but sometimes more easily accessed by the removal of drawers, false panels or doors.

If this is still more than you can handle, consider a mobile technician.
They come to you!

[Aussieguy]

pump should not need priming


double check tank water level
have at least 1/2 a tank

if you can....... use a full tank, so the amount of LIFT for the pump is at a minimum


watch /feel the water pump make sure it comes on
you can't miss the noise and vibration



use a strong flashlight and you may be able to see the water level in the pipes moving up...



if you can feel/hear the pump is trying to work...... but don't get any water
disconnect the pump and remove it from the cramped space



remove the screws holding the diaphragm 4 or more small screws
diaphragm is just like a rubber gasket make sure there is no trash/grit/muck in the diaphragm area and any of the holes in the pump body
look for holes/tear in the rubber diaphragm



after a good clean re-assemble and try pumping


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if you don't feel the pump vibrating/pumping
look for a fuse


take the pump OUT as in the above and test it using jumper wires to a known good battery


Pressure switch may be faulty ..
you can buy parts or a whole pump


Keep spare parts / pump onhand while you are camping

[Texanna1972]

Thank you for the suggestion.
We have a small slide out on the side of the trailer where the water tank is located, so I would’ve had to lie on the ground and wiggle under about 3’ to make sure the tank was full. I did fill it overflowing before I left home, so unless there was a leak, there should’ve been water in in it.
We are at a new location now, and I will take a look at the tank when I close it up tomorrow.

[Texanna1972]

I do think the mobile technician is the winner of the suggestions, at this point in my life, and without a mechanical husband.

[Reverse_snowbird]

It's also possible that the fresh water tank was sucked dry during travel. It happens and the easiest thing to do is to put a cap on the overflow while traveling and removing it when you get to camp.

You don't need a husband to check the water level in the fresh water tank. There is a pipe underneath the fresh water tank with a cap or valve on it. You take that off to drain the fresh water tank before you put it in storage for any length of time. Unfortunately, that usually requires you laying on the ground to check/drain it. ( A blanket is recommended to keep the dirt off.)

If you've got fresh water in that tank, a mobile technician is probably the answer.