1998 Palomino Bronco............Hot Water heater is turned off, but is open to the water supply.No leaks anywhere, no water escaping......Camper has no Grey Water tank.Surflo pump cycles for 3 seconds about every 20 minutes.Is this normal?

Dont think its normal. Water heater full? If theres any air in the heater that could cause the pump to cycle. My guess, either a faulty pump or an undiscovered leak.

If no leaks then I agree with faulty pump. There is a check valve in the pump that keeps the pressure that is probably bad. Hurts nothing, just annoying.My TT has been doing it all summer. We just turn it off between uses.

a very small leak from city water to the fresh water tank will do this. my bounder had an in line valve and Its O ring had a microscopic groove on it allowing an eventual leakage of water/pressure and would do the same thing.bumpy

Not normal.I had that problem. I replaced the check valve in the pump and it solved it.The water was leaking back into the unpressurized tank. It doesn't hurt anything but it is annoying.

Mine has been doing it for two years now. I just turn the pump off.I should add that it cycles every few hours, 3 or 4. No leaks, so I have come to the conclusion that it's the check valve.

Why does my water pump cycle every20 minutes??

bangthemup
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
Mine was doing that. The check valve just needed to be tighten up.
Mick9064
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
I had that problem and it turned out to be an air leak in the winterization valve where you put the antifreeze in.
Mick
AnEv942
Nomad
Jul 28, 2013
Being almost 13 years old be hard to imagine either the pump or city water check valve not leaking on ours, at least a bit. Even the water heater relief valve, toilet valve. But we do not leave our pump on when not in use, so dont know, switch when needed. Did add a switch in bath to make that more conveniant. Also added a small acumulator, though to minmize cylcling and noise when pump in use, it also allows a bit of water without turning pump on. Thinking about it , if we did have a pressure leak it would take longer to trigger pump with the accumlator.
Id be pressed due to age to put a repair kit on it even at half price and replace pump. Cant imagine access to replace the city connection.

Not sure why we've never left pump on. Other than pilots, I dont believe uses any power. Kinda of surprised that apperantly many do.
I dont think internal plumbing more likely to fail, though external connection I have had issues with hoses and no longer leave city water hooked if were away.
Camp__Forrest__
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
Mine leaks a drop from the city water fill every few minutes and does the same thing.
Boxdsgnr
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
If you are sure there are no leaks ... Then it is a faulty pump for sure. I use Shurflo pumps in my business (cartablesolutions.com)and every once in a while I will get a run of 50-100 defective pumps in a row. Seems worse now they are made in Mexico.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
It doesn't have to be a water leak to cycle. An air leak will cause the same symptoms. I once had a cycling problem and touched the pressure relief tab on the water heater and it stopped.
powderman426
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
To all that have had this problem, I would look Here.
whizbang
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2013
We had a pump that did this. Yup, it was a small leak.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
If it's cycling there is a leak somewhere.
The city water inlet has a screen and a plastic check valve. Take it off and push the check valve with your finger. Usually fixes it but it also means it's on it's way out and will finally fail.Common problem with this assembly which btw they make you buy the whole assembly to replace it!
narcodog
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2013
Mine has been doing it for two years now. I just turn the pump off.

I should add that it cycles every few hours, 3 or 4. No leaks, so I have come to the conclusion that it's the check valve.