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CaptSailor's avatar
CaptSailor
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013

SureFlo water pump question

Howdy,

We've had the SunnyBrook 5th for a few years. Last season I accidentally left the water pump run dry for about an hour without realizing it. Subsequent to that I filled the water tank and the pump appeared to still be working...though it was the end of the season so it was then parked.

This spring I found that with the pump on, and the tank full i get good pressure, but the pump doesn't completely shut off when the tap closes.

I went to the pump and closed the valve from the water tank and opened the Antifreeze valve and put the hose in a pail of water. There was NO suction at all.

I'm assuming I've screwed up the rubber diaphragm in the pump when it ran dry. Does that sound likely?

Can these usually be repaired, or would I be looking to replace the pump?

6 Replies

  • CaptSailor's avatar
    CaptSailor
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    Pulled the pump out and discovered that if I adjusted the pressure switch control screw about a 1/4 turn back it started working! Easy fix.

    Thank all for the comments, and help.
  • aruba5er's avatar
    aruba5er
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2013
    Easy fix. just get the repair kit. 20 minutes tops. Or get a new pump, fix this one and carry it as a spare. Then you will never need it again. been carrying the cheap pump that came with unit for 5 years after I replaced it with a Shurflo Smart Sensor.
  • CaptSailor's avatar
    CaptSailor
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    Memphisdoug wrote:

    Are you sure you had all the air out of your lines and the water heater was full at the time the pump wouldn't shut off?

    When you had the winterizing valve open and it wouldn't suck did you have a faucet on? There has to be someplace for the water to go.

    It sounds to me like your pump is still good since you were able to get good pressure


    Definitely had the air out. Even hooked up city water to run all taps and ensure the heater was full.

    Valve was a good question actually...I may not have thought of that. May have to re-check that.

    Yeah...I just don't know enough about plumbing to know if that would be expected or not (to pump ok with the tank full where gravity kind of helps, as opposed to suck from a bucket.)
  • Memphisdoug's avatar
    Memphisdoug
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    CaptSailor wrote:
    This spring I found that with the pump on, and the tank full i get good pressure, but the pump doesn't completely shut off when the tap closes.



    Are you sure you had all the air out of your lines and the water heater was full at the time the pump wouldn't shut off?

    When you had the winterizing valve open and it wouldn't suck did you have a faucet on? There has to be someplace for the water to go.

    It sounds to me like your pump is still good since you were able to get good pressure
  • lakeside013104's avatar
    lakeside013104
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    Probably best to purchase a new pump and then be able to depend on it doing what it is meant to do. If you are handy, purchase a rebuild kit for the pump you damaged and have that one for a spare or even as a winterizing pump to assist with your winterizing duties. Good luck.

    Lakeside
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jun 07, 2013
    It doesn't hurt the pump to run dry because of it's hydrostatic design (there's no friction on the rubber). Mine ran dry for more than 48 hours and 2 years later it still works fine.
    More likely it sucked up a piece of debris. Take the head apart and rinse all the rubber parts of under some running water. It will probably be fine after that. I've had to do this several times throughout the years.

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