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 10-21-2019, 09:49 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
HappyCamperCanada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 198
Water pump not sucking up antifreeze

I installed the camco pump converter kit. When I turn on the pump it's not sucking antifreeze from the jug. The valve is in the bypass position so it shod be sucking from the jug. Pic attached.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Screenshot_20191021_114614_com.google.android.apps.photos.jpg
Views:	467
Size:	158.7 KB
ID:	217746   Click image for larger version

Name:	Screenshot_20191021_114619_com.google.android.apps.photos.jpg
Views:	275
Size:	108.3 KB
ID:	217747  
HappyCamperCanada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 09:50 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
HappyCamperCanada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 198
Ps I left the anode out of the water heater tank but the water heater is in bypass mode. That have anything too do with it?
__________________
Cheers 🍻
Sean and Tracy
2020 Rockwood Premier 2514g
2019 Ram 1500 Classic SLT 4x4 5.7L Hemi V8 crew cab
Nova Scotia, Canada 🇨🇦
HappyCamperCanada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 09:55 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Brother Les's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
Have you tried 'priming the pump'? A dry pump sometimes will never prime itself and run dry.... and run... and run.... and never pump liquid.
__________________
Brother Les

2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD

2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
Brother Les is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 09:56 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
HappyCamperCanada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 198
Or does it have something to do with that vacume slide thinger?
__________________
Cheers 🍻
Sean and Tracy
2020 Rockwood Premier 2514g
2019 Ram 1500 Classic SLT 4x4 5.7L Hemi V8 crew cab
Nova Scotia, Canada 🇨🇦
HappyCamperCanada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 09:56 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
HappyCamperCanada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 198
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother Les View Post
Have you tried 'priming the pump'? A dry pump sometimes will never prime itself and run dry.... and run... and run.... and never pump liquid.
How do I prime the pump?
HappyCamperCanada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 09:59 AM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 93
What I found with ours is that it won't really prime unless I have one of the faucets turned on to let the coolant flow.
montelovers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 10:01 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Brother Les's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
how to prime an RV water pump

https://goneoutdoors.com/prime-rv-wa...p-5571373.html
__________________
Brother Les

2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD

2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
Brother Les is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 10:10 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 539
My Trick

Found the same issue with my TT, tried to manually prime it using technique Brother Les posted with mixed results at best. What I found that works for me turn on the bathroom faucet this, so far, as always primed the pump. Note the bathroom faucet is right above the pump as it is located in the bathroom cabinet.

Hope you get it worked out.
Theb2b is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 10:16 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
jd50i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Maryville, Tn.
Posts: 594
On the hose fitting, check to make sure the rubber washer is on it. I found mine still stuck to the brass cap and it would just suck air.
__________________
2016 F150 XLT 4X4 SCREW 5.0

2014 Grey Wolf 21RR
jd50i is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 12:16 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
BobHanke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Posts: 546
Had an issue two years ago. Sucked in 2 gallons of antifreeze but none went to a faucet. Never did learn where it went, but as soon as I recapped the low point drains, everything worked as it should.
__________________
"Lurch" = Georgetown 2011 330TS
Toad = Jeep 2016 Cherokee
Pilot = Bob
First Mate = Xiangbing
Crew = Radar, NiuNiu & NaNa
BobHanke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 12:19 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Brother Les's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobHanke View Post
Had an issue two years ago. Sucked in 2 gallons of antifreeze but none went to a faucet. Never did learn where it went, but as soon as I recapped the low point drains, everything worked as it should.


Me thinks the antifreeze went out the low point drains..... until you recapped them.
__________________
Brother Les

2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD

2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
Brother Les is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 01:02 PM   #12
D W
Senior Member
 
D W's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: ALASKA (World's Biggest Campground)
Posts: 6,631
Ideally, the antifreeze inlet should be between the sediment bowl and the pump. The OP should check all fitting connections and ensure they are tight, including the clear plastic sediment bowl. The OP clearly states that the pump failed to pick up an antifreeze from the jug, so rule out the antifreeze going out the low point drains. If all is tight, then proceed...

If the pump is running at a low pitch hum then it is in bypass mode. There's a distinct chance of an air lock in the system and the pump pressure can not overcome it. The OP should go outside to the city water connection, remove the screened washer and press the internal check valve in the inlet. If water come shooting out, then there's the problem. Once that pressure is released the pump will start pumping again. The Shur-Flo pump is self priming. no need to prime it.
__________________
'07 K3500 Silverado LT Crew Duramax (LBZ)
2016 Salem 27RKSS
1984 CHEV SCOTTSDALE K20 2GCGK24J0E1XXXXXX (Chevrolet Legends-Class of 2019)
"...exhaust fluid? We don't need no stinkin' exhaust fluid"
D W is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 02:29 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: British Columbia Canada
Posts: 556
I find I have to have the jug of antifreeze on level or slightly higher than pump.
__________________
2017 FR3 28 DS
cariboo camper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 02:43 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
HappyCamperCanada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 198
Got it to work by sticking a funnel on the end of the intake hose and pouring antifreeze in the funnel. It went through the pump and the hot and cold sink and outdoor shower faucets ran pink. Gravity was on my side as I held the funnel much higher than the pump. I must have a loose connection in my amateur plumbing job as there was some antifreeze on the floor under the pump when I finished. Something to fix in May!!
HappyCamperCanada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 02:52 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
jd50i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Maryville, Tn.
Posts: 594
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyCamperCanada View Post
Got it to work by sticking a funnel on the end of the intake hose and pouring antifreeze in the funnel. It went through the pump and the hot and cold sink and outdoor shower faucets ran pink. Gravity was on my side as I held the funnel much higher than the pump. I must have a loose connection in my amateur plumbing job as there was some antifreeze on the floor under the pump when I finished. Something to fix in May!!
Read post #9, same thing mine did, wouldn't draw anti freeze, I poured it in and it took it but leaked out of the hose fitting and puddled under pump.
__________________
2016 F150 XLT 4X4 SCREW 5.0

2014 Grey Wolf 21RR
jd50i is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 03:13 PM   #16
Pickin', Campin', Mason
 
5picker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyCamperCanada View Post
Got it to work by sticking a funnel on the end of the intake hose and pouring antifreeze in the funnel. It went through the pump and the hot and cold sink and outdoor shower faucets ran pink. Gravity was on my side as I held the funnel much higher than the pump. I must have a loose connection in my amateur plumbing job as there was some antifreeze on the floor under the pump when I finished. Something to fix in May!!
Yes, you have something loose.

If you poured it in and it leaked enough it puddled near the pump, (without spilling of course) it will never 'suck.' You will need to fix it for sure as it likely won't draw water from the fresh tank now either.
__________________
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=86
5picker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 03:15 PM   #17
Site Team
 
Mr. Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,502
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyCamperCanada View Post
Or does it have something to do with that vacume slide thinger?
For the education/edification of members attempting to help, would you mind telling us what you're talking about with "that vacume slide thinger"?
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra

Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
Mr. Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 03:29 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
BobHanke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Posts: 546
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother Les View Post
Me thinks the antifreeze went out the low point drains..... until you recapped them.
My rig was parked on our cement pad at home. Would have seen two gallons of pink coming out if that had happened. Total mystery.
__________________
"Lurch" = Georgetown 2011 330TS
Toad = Jeep 2016 Cherokee
Pilot = Bob
First Mate = Xiangbing
Crew = Radar, NiuNiu & NaNa
BobHanke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 03:29 PM   #19
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 25
Yeah, mine wouldn't work until I opened a faucet. Start with the furthest one, work back towards the pump closing each one when you see the antifreeze. Don't forget the outside shower.
HaulinMyHarley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 03:43 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 446
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobHanke View Post
My rig was parked on our cement pad at home. Would have seen two gallons of pink coming out if that had happened. Total mystery.
Most likely that you pumped it with a faucet open and the antifreeze went down the drain and into the gray water tank. I would bet money on it!
MOODMAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
antifreeze, 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 03:15 AM.