Roadtrek Water Pump

[nbking]

My water pump barely makes a sound when I turn it on. It appears to be working at minimum power. When I leave it on for a few minutes and then turn the water tap on, water comes out in spurts and then stops.

Is my water pump finished or is there something I can do to fix it.

I did check to make sure there was water in the tank. Since it is working somewhat, I assume the fuze is OK.

The placement of the water pump makes it difficult to see whether there are any loose wires. I could have a look at that if it seems to be a matter of a loose wire somewhere.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

[GaryKH]

I don't know if this applies to a 2008, but on my 1996, there is a valve just in front of where you hook up your water hose. You use this to fill up the fresh water tank, while hooked up. If this valve hasn't been closed, then you get no pressure to the taps & the situation you describe happens. So, search the water line from the hose hookup to where it all disappears into the van. If you find that valve (not the outside shower valves), then turn it to close & then try your taps. Hopefully this is all it is! I know i was very relieved to discover this as i had visions of replacing everything!!

[nbking]

I have checked both filters and they were surprisingly clean. Cleaned both anyway.

The water pump does hum when I turn it on. There just does not seem to be any build up of air pressure in the tank.

I checked all the taps to make sure they were completely off. Cannot see how to tighten the water lines any more because of the type of clamp used in construction.

Still a mystery.

[nbking]

Thank you for that informative message.

I will try the filters as you suggested. The Roadtrek is a 2008, recently purchased, and as I have discovered was badly maintained. I doubt if they ever cleaned a filter - or anything else for that matter.

You have given me some things to check. I appreciate your comments.

[1775]

The Roadtrek water pump should pretty much be silent when you turn on the switch on the wall or make a brief hum and then go silent- unless the hot water tank is empty and it will hum while it fills the hot water tank. When you open the faucet you should hear the pump start and hum as water comes out of the faucet or flush the toilet or run the shower. After filling your water tank, the first time you turn on the faucet a little water will spurt out and air will then follow that for a few moments until the water from the pump reaches the faucet and then it should flow steadily. There are two places that can be causing a problem for the water to flow slowly or trickle- two filter screens - one right before the water pump on the pipe coming from the tank and this looks like a black plastic short section of pipe with a round dome on top. That dome screws off - put a towel under it to catch any spill - water pump OFF when doing this. Inside the dome is a screen filter that catches any particles that should not go through the pump. This can get clogged if not cleaned at least once a year if not more. Take it outside and rinse the inside of that dome out. If it is not rinsing clean soak it in some vinegar and then rinse it again. Then screw it back on tightly. The other filter screen is on the sink faucet right at the tip - unscrew the tip and look at the screen and clean that off. This second filter will only effect the water coming out of the sink. If the toilet is slow, the toilet flush valve which is a part of the toilet in the back may be clogged or broken. Most problems are fixed by cleaning that filter in the dome before the pump.

If there is a water leak after the pump the pump starts and stops and keeps doing that when no faucet is on. If there is a leak before the pump, the pump sucks air and continues to run and not stop.


None of this should be necessary on a brand new Roadtrek - unless something is broken. On one that you have been using these are all possible.

Any clog or kink in a pipe will effect the flow of water. Most of the Roadtrek plumbing is Pex tubing and this can get kinked. we had a section before the water pump that was kinked and dealer/service had to cut it out. That was causing the pump to run constantly and no water flowed.

[midnightsadie]

great,thats what sons are for.time he bailed out dad.

[nbking]

Haven't checked the inlet filter. That I can do.

Don't want to take it to the dealer unless I need replacement. The water pump is in such an awkward position that I would not ask anyone else to replace it.

Our son is very mechanically minded - obviously not from me - and I will talk to him on the weekend to see what he can do.

Thanks everyone.

[midnightsadie]

time to call in a favor from a buddy,, or ask some one in the camp for a bit of help. camp manager might know of some one. please don,t take it to a dealer, cost way to much and it,ll be there a month for a fifteen minute job. there easy to change,

[studio_driver]

Have you checked the inlet filter that could be plugged and restricting flow?

[nbking]

I thought I could check the valves for tightness but the clamps they use are not the screw type clamps. Don't know how they would tighten.

[coolmom42]

You should have an inlet and outlet hose, and likely a 3rd hose with a valve that lets you switch to intake from it for winterizing.

[nbking]

Thanks I have no knowledge whatsoever on the operation of the pump or it's components. I will have to do some research to find out how the hoses are connected and also find out where the diaphram is located.

[midnightsadie]

mine was acting like this, found it sucking air from a loose hose, pumps do go bad, and there rebuild kits for most of them. you could also have a leak in the diaprham of the pump.