Forum Discussion

troy_t's avatar
troy_t
Explorer II
Oct 01, 2023

Pump issues

Looking for some help here. We bought a 2015 Forest river Wildcat recently. Camper is in fantastic condition but I have a question on the pump. The previous owner replaced it right before selling to us and it seems to have an issue building pressure and a lot of air in the system. It’s most noticeable when flushing the toilet that it will just keep running sometimes. You’ll have to turn on another fixture and that fixture will run and spit a lot of air until it runs steadily then when you shut it off the pump will shut off. I hooked it up to city water and ran everything for a while after our first trip with it to get all the air out of the system. Now this trip it’s doing the same thing. No leaks, the pump doesn’t cycle randomly at all. Any ideas?
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Oct 01, 2023
    Check the valve position on "fill and run" if equipped. Check winterizing anti-freeze suction valve if equipped.
    Sucking air on intake side of pump is a good thought. Valves not closed is common problem.
  • way2roll's avatar
    way2roll
    Navigator II
    Oct 01, 2023
    Check the clear plastic screen cover near the pump. Had one freeze and crack once (despite winterizing) and it was pulling in air.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Oct 01, 2023
    You might also see a leak where it's sucking in air after pump is turned off which will help to locate the problem. Could be anywhere including the hot water tank area.

    But first check all of the areas around the replaced pump including the pump.
  • ejmorgan's avatar
    ejmorgan
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2023
    way2roll wrote:
    Check the clear plastic screen cover near the pump. Had one freeze and crack once (despite winterizing) and it was pulling in air.


    Also, make sure the clear plastic intake filter/debris cup is swiveled so that the cup is lower than the water pipe.

    If it is swiveled higher than the water pipe, the cup will create an air pocket. This will cause erratic pressure and water flow problems. (Don't ask how I know this!)

    Ed

  • jffnkrn's avatar
    jffnkrn
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2023
    like said earlier, check the fill/sanitize/antifreez valves as they could be ou to fproper position. I also one time had pump running without moving water, this was after I was hooked up to city water. Turned it to City water then back and all was fine. Never knew what it was, maybe an air pocket. or somthing. good luck
  • troy_t's avatar
    troy_t
    Explorer II
    Oct 02, 2023
    Thanks for all the quick replys. I will dig into it tonight. Unfortunately I made the mistake of emptying my water tank and parked it where I can't reach it with a hose but I can add water from some jugs and do some investigating.
  • troy_t's avatar
    troy_t
    Explorer II
    Oct 03, 2023
    So it's not leaking around the pump at all, I cycled the valves and saw nothing there and when running the pump after adding water it performed perfectly. Shut off right away every time, no issues. But I do think there's a leak at the intake from the fresh water tank that I'll have to look into. Once I added water back into it I did see some dripping from the underbelly. So I'll have to pull that material down so I can see the tank and both the fill and pump intake line.

    On another note, there is a sediment filter between the winterize valve and the pump but there's no filter in it. Does that make any sense??
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Oct 03, 2023
    The dripping is also very likely also the air intake issue. I'd put a filter in, can't hurt.
  • C_Schomer's avatar
    C_Schomer
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2023
    The inlet connector on my pump had a brass insert, and it developed a micro crack and my system acted a lot like yours. I had to open two faucets to get water flow but as soon as I turn the faucets off that air leak would let the pump lose its prime AND the pump ran constantly. Even the tiniest leak on the inlet side will mess up the system, and I had to pressurize the inlet side to find that crack. I ended up replacing that inlet connector with a genuine plastic one, and never had a problem again. Craig.

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