Sureflo 5,7 Water Pump

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

I've got a Sureflo Extreme Series 5.7 water pump in my rig. The other morning, I noticed the pump was running, but no water faucets were on nor was any water leaking anywhere. The pump will not turn off now unless the power switch at the wall is turned off.

Any ideas on what the problem might be? This pump has not been used alot and I'm hoping I don't have to replace it as they cost $300+. I sent an email to sureflo, but have not heard back yet.

This pump has 5 diaphrams and I'm wondering if a crack or leak has occurred and it won't pressure up? If not that, then maybe the micro- processor is defective? Any ideas or experience here? Thanks

[greenrvgreen]

Rather than email Shurflo, I would give them a call (I did, a lot). They are very helpful there and they understand that there can be issues with the 5.7 pumps.

Unless a problem with your installation shows itself soon, I would pretty much count on getting a new pump. For me the symptoms were exactly as "Newblue" described: The pump just keeps idling along. For one failure I just let it keep doing that, using a power switch to control it. Evertually I started getting rust and an oily taste in my water. Yumm!

Regarding the Revolution 4, it is not as quiet as the 5.7. On the other hand, it doesn't sound like it's about to fly apart, like each of the 5.7's did. At the point my fourth pump died, I was about to go out and buy a Jabsco pump. But the rev 4 has restored my condfidence in ShurFlo's engineering.

mlts22--Do you mean "variable" speed? Isn't it the constant speed pumps that work well with accumulators?

[mlts22]

I know this isn't a solution, but I'd probably go for a variable speed water pump and an accumulator tank. What that will give you is a lot quieter pump, for not too much a price premium. The accumulator tank will allow water to be used for small items without having to run the pump constantly.

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

Pauljdav wrote:
Are you on shore power? A low battery will cause this.

Yes, I'm on shore power.

[Newblue]

I have a 5.7 and one day it just kept running at a slow speed and would not shut off. looked at my pressure gauge and it read over 100 psi!. I have now gutted the "smart sensor" stuff and am using it as a transfer pump now.

[Pauljdav]

Are you on shore power? A low battery will cause this.

[djousma]

Got a 5.7 in my trailer that is 8 years old. Only thing I did two years ago was to replace the diaphragm. Hope the Revolution is just as nice as this pump. I like the variable speed, and boy is it quiet. no more of the annoying on/off cycling.

[greenrvgreen]

The Shurflo 5.7 has been discontinued because of premature deaths that start just like yours is. I bought one pump and had three warrantee replacements (four pumps total), and the average lifespan was six months.

Shurflo started migrating 5.7 owners to the Revolution 4.0, which is a great great pump. The one I got has lasted well over a year with narry a hiccup. This pump is MORE responsive and will seem faster is every way, unless you're trying to fill a bathtub. That 5.7 (when it worked) had one heck of a top end.

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

Hey guys, thanks for all your responses. I'll try what ScottG suggested and see if that works. Will get back and let you know. Thanks again.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

A million dollar pump will malfunction as fast and as thoroughly as a three dollar aquarium pump if it gets foreign debris in it.

[VoodooMedicineM]

that post for a pump that kept running but would not supply water

[ScottG]

VoodooMedicineMan wrote:
This should answer your question

Sureflow pump

That post was for a pump that wouldn't run. The OP has the exact opposite problem.

[VoodooMedicineM]

This should answer your question

Sureflow pump

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

ScottG wrote:
The processor and limit switch are fine or it would run until it hydraulics and stalls. It probably sucked up a small piece of debris which is now stuck in the diaphragm (there's only one diaphragm assembly). When it does this it leaks pressure internally so it never builds enough pressure to shut down.
Take the head apart and rinse the components off with water. Then reassemble and test - I'm betting all will be fine. (This has happened to me a couple of times.)

Great. Thanks for the advice! I'm leaving for home in a couple of days. I'll check that and get back with you. Thanks again.

[ScottG]

The processor and limit switch are fine or it would run until it hydraulics and stalls. It probably sucked up a small piece of debris which is now stuck in the diaphragm (there's only one diaphragm assembly). When it does this it leaks pressure internally so it never builds enough pressure to shut down.
Take the head apart and rinse the components off with water. Then reassemble and test - I'm betting all will be fine. (This has happened to me a couple of times.)