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Fifty4F100's avatar
Fifty4F100
Explorer
May 12, 2013

Shurflow pump won't work

OK I finally found my water pump. It was hidden in plain sight. To help my lowered ego, it was directly behind my main drain line (read: 3 1/2" pump behind a 4" pipe).

Now for my real problem. The pump worked great until we used it the 1st time this spring which leads me to think that it froze and was damaged over the winter. I did use the compressed air method for ridding the lines of water. We last used the MH for a late October vacation. There are are no other freeze problems with the rig. I don't know (other than using the alternative 10 gallons of RV antifreeze method) what I could have done. It looks like some water could have pooled in the diaphragm area. But I don't know why even freezing would cause the pump not to be at least turning now. It won't budge. I can see the power drop (lights dimming) when the pump is turned on, but nothing happens.

Do I need a new pump?
  • Fifty4F100 wrote:
    OK I finally found my water pump. It was hidden in plain sight. To help my lowered ego, it was directly behind my main drain line (read: 3 1/2" pump behind a 4" pipe).

    Now for my real problem. The pump worked great until we used it the 1st time this spring which leads me to think that it froze and was damaged over the winter. I did use the compressed air method for ridding the lines of water. We last used the MH for a late October vacation. There are are no other freeze problems with the rig. I don't know (other than using the alternative 10 gallons of RV antifreeze method) what I could have done. It looks like some water could have pooled in the diaphragm area. But I don't know why even freezing would cause the pump not to be at least turning now. It won't budge. I can see the power drop (lights dimming) when the pump is turned on, but nothing happens.

    Do I need a new pump?

    Pretty simple.Check for power at pump when switched on and also at the pump controller.If the controller is getting powered up and the pump then yes u need new pump.Did u try taping the motor with a hammer to make sure its just not stuck(rusted)
  • Yep......new pump

    In the future the suction side of pump and pump need to be clear of any water.

    That's why they have a 'winterizing kit'.
    Basically a 'T' in suction line with a hose and valve on it.
    Stick hose in bottle of anti-freeze, turn valve so pump sucks from bottle and turn pump on. Sucks anti-freeze from bottle thru pump.
    You can pump anti-freeze thru system (hot/cold------bypass water heater)
    Or just blow out the lines with air.

    Anti-freeze is cheaper than pumps.