water pump problems

[dave17352]

Okay I just took the 5th wheel out of storage. I have filled the fresh water tank and turned on the pump. I do the usual of opening fixtures and hear some gurgling like usual. But it just keeps gurgling. I turn the pump on and off to try to get it to prime but it just won't. The I hook up the hose and make sure the hot water tank is full and run water out all the lines. I turn the pump back on and it just won't get pressure. So I remove that pump put another pump on and exact same problems. All I get is dribbles and spurts of water. Any help here would be appreciated. This is on my Forrest River 2005 Cardinal. I should add it has been in storage for 4 years.

Thanks again for any advice opinions.

[Old-Biscuit]

RV water pumps are simple diaphragm pumps......won't pump air/faucet has to be open for pump to prime and move water & expel the air is system

Two pumps doing same thing (not priming) ......then you have 'air leak' on suction side of pump(s)
Strainer gasket, pickup hose clamps, winterizing valve open/leaking etc
Problem is on suction side.

[DFord]

Sounds like you're sucking air instead of water from the fresh water tank.

Take the line loose from the discharge of the pump to make it easier for the pump to prime.

You might need to connect a hose onto the suction side of the pump to get it to pick up water after 4 years of setting idle. Once it's primed, connect the suction side back to the water tank to see if will pick up any water from it.

Can you put a clear hose on the line from the fresh water tank and use your mouth to draw water up the hose to verify the line isn't cracked and drawing air instead of water?

[Veebyes]

Assuming it has not sprung a leak & is pumping water somewhere it is not supposed to, start again.

This time leave all the taps closed & the water heater bypass on (so water cannot get into the water heater).

All being good the pump should pick up suction & pressurise the air in the pipes then shut off. Open cold taps etc. one at a time. A blast of air comes out then water. By the time you get to the next tap the pump should have repressurised the system. Open the bypass valve & fill water heater & do the tap routine.

Still no luck? Check the inlet side of the pump. Real easy for that not to be airtight if it was removed for winterising.

Inlet OK? Check the output side of the pump by slackening the fitting & turning the pump on.

Still no luck? You did put enough water in the tank didn't you? Next is the pump itself. Could be a split diaphram. Replacement kits available for some pumps. Might be less hassel simply to get a new pump.

[jdc1]

I hope a squirrel didn't eat a water line.

[12th_Man_Fan]

sorry didn't read far enough.

[enblethen]

Do you have a winterizing valve and is it in the correct position?
What position is fill valve in if equipped?