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jspringator's avatar
jspringator
Explorer
Oct 30, 2015

Waterpump won't pull antifreeze out of bottle

I just bought a used 2002 Winnebago Sightseer motorhome. I cant get the water Pump to draw antifreeze out of the bottle. It isn't the original pump, because I saw installation debris under the bed. I moved the valve from the tank to the pickup hose, and slightly forward from that, I moved the valve for the water heater bypass straight up and down. I blew into the antifreeze pickup hose and it didn't appear clogged.

Pump starts, and blew a little water out of the lines in the beginning, but won't draw the pink stuff.

What am I doing wrong?
Class A
  • dbates's avatar
    dbates
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2015
    This may be a stupid suggestion but did you make sure that the cap at the end of the antifreeze pick up hose has been removed and the valve turned the right way where it tees into the waterline? I forgot about it this year and had the same problem you are having until I remembered to remove the cap.

    My antifreeze pick up hose in in the rear bay and that's where I put the antifreeze jug which is below the water pump and it works A-OK.

    Dave
  • jspringator's avatar
    jspringator
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2015
    Dick_B wrote:
    I always leave water in the FW tank to start the pump pulling pink stuff out of the bottle. When that is done drain the FW pump. It has lost its prime, I think.


    I think this is it. I'm going to put water in the tank, get the pump going with by turning on the outdoor shower, then flip the lever from tank to bottle, and see if it will pull.
  • Rodz's avatar
    Rodz
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2015
    darsben wrote:
    bottle cannot be below water pump


    I sit the bottle on the ground and it pulls it ok.
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2015
    I always leave water in the FW tank to start the pump pulling pink stuff out of the bottle. When that is done drain the FW pump. It has lost its prime, I think.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2015
    Look for a valve to select either the water pump antifreeze hose or the fresh water water tank.

    Kinda like this pictorial refers to...



    The water pump has to see a valve like this other wise it would be sucking air when being used to pump water out of the fresh water tank.

    Roy Ken
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2015
    Sounds like perhaps the pump is sucking air, or perhaps a vacuum. There are (logically) two valves that need to be changed: one connecting the pump inlet to the tank (which needs to be closed), and one connecting it to the suction hose (which should be opened). While it's certainly possible these could be combined in a single diverter valve, check that you aren't missing a valve you need to open or close.

    RV water pumps are generally designed to be self-priming, at least with moderate suction lifts.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2015
    Installation debris could be from the original. However, you pump probably just need to be primed. Exactly how coule be a problem. I have used a funnel into the pickup hose to get the prime. Also, there may be a valve to switch input from the water tank to the pickup hose. I also forgot to turn the valve one time.

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