winterizing question?

Make sure that the valve is CLOSED from your freshwater tank to your pump. If this valve is OPEN you will have no suction at your pump.

Was going to call you Potty Mouth but can't now! LOL

Final outcome----
Could not determine the source of air leaking so I decided to jam my 6'2" frame between the toilet and the cabinet above (about 12" clearance ) and take the pump apart --
well got to the second inners and decided it's time to put it back together. Woalah!!!!! it worked!!!
Have no idea what I did to make it work?

In taking the pump apart I had to remove the bypass line and the water in and water out connections. I think the toilet is permanently pressed into my chest.

thanks for all who gave advice to the solution

mbopp wrote:
Many units have 2 valves. You need to open the valve going to the winterizing pick-up hose, and close the valve going to the fresh water tank.

I don't have that system but funny you mention it. I have actually modified a system like that. I thought I was a genius. I guess not.

To the OP, it's difficult to know what your problem might be without being there to test it. But try to check your lines to make sure they don't have a leak. If you use your holding tank I would think you would know if it has an air leak or not as it would leak while you used water from it, or you would just suck air. If you have a built in system that has been mentioned, make sure you have the holding tank shut off or you will just be sucking air. Turn on your other valve. Then turn on your water faucet and see if your pump comes on. If it does and it isn't sucking fluid, pull out the hose and turn it upside down and pour some liquid into it. This can just be water or antifreeze, either one. That may prime your pump. If it starts sucking, quickly put your hose back in the bottle and continue on.

Make sure your valve for the water heater is closed. One time I forgot to close that valve and all my antifreeze went into my water heater. That's fine, but that's not what I wanted to do. Then I had to go buy more antifreeze.:)

If you still don't get any sucking, you may have to go buy a totally new line and replace the line coming form the pump to the tank, if it sucks air that is.

One last thing.

Make sure you have your pump turned on. I forgot that part. After you have your cold lines filled, go back and fill your hot lines. Then go back to your hot water heater and open the valve just long enough to get some antifreeze in it. It doesn't have to be much because it should be drained anyway, but always put some in it. I typically turn it on for a 2 or 3 second count, then repeat one time for good measure. Then one more time just to make sure.

I never use my holding tank and it seems one year I have zero problems, and the next I have many.

I'm sure you've done this all before, but like I said, without being there, it's hard to tell you what might be going on. But typically it's a priming issue more times than not

Don't forget your fresh water storage tank.

(This is on my camper, I'm guessing it's about the same for them all in principle)

ok- here is the latest. Took off the hose that goes to the anti freeze(pink) no suction
took off the connection at the pump- no suction
does the pump have something inside that has pooped?
the pump runs but just does not suck-
frustrated on this simple process of winterizing.

Many units have 2 valves. You need to open the valve going to the winterizing pick-up hose, and close the valve going to the fresh water tank.

where is the gasket you are referring to?

If you have a built in winterizing system that utilizes the on board pump and has a connection inlet for winterizing, make sure the hose connection has a good rubber gasket and is tight. If you have the slightest air leak at the connection it will likely not suck the pink stuff in.
On mine the screened hose gasket was too thick to allow me to get a tight connection. Replaced it with a thinner non screened gasket and solved the problem. Mine seems to start pumping faster if I open (on then close) a low point drain first to get it started.

will the priming help the pump suck?

I'm assuming you're talking about the bi-pass winterizing hose connected to your pump. Sometimes I have to pour a little anti-freeze into the hose to prime the pump.