Air in Water Lines

[JoeVita]

I need some advise on ways to find an air leak in fresh water lines. One dealer replaced the pump filter which didn't help. Another replaced the pump which also didn't help and they put my original one back in.

Somehow I need to pressurize the system and search for leaks. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[mkirsch]

"A minute or so?" The pump shouldn't run for more than a couple of seconds after you shut off the water.

If you don't have a puddle on the floor of your camper, or it isn't running out from under the truck, this behavior supports a suction-side issue. It can't get water to build up pressure so it's running extra-long.

[DWeikert]

JoeVita wrote:

DWeikert wrote:
Can you back up a bit and explain the air in your water line? Usually water leaks out of a leaky water line, not air leaking in.

When I turn on a faucet water flows for a few seconds then a combination of air and water. The pump continues to run after shut off for a minute or so with a normal pumping sound then just a low whining sound which continues. If I shut off the water pump for a while then turn it back on nothing happens for a while thenb the whining sound comes on spontaneously.

I was told by Lance Service to pressurize the system by attaching a hose from house water to the camper and search for any sign of leaking water which would suggest where the air leak is occurring. That is not easy to do in a camper.

I appreciate all the advise and will start in the morning to try some of the suggestions.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm with others suggesting air is entering the lines on the input side of your pump. Any leaks on the output side would result in water leaking out of the lines, not air leaking in.

[JoeVita]

DWeikert wrote:
Can you back up a bit and explain the air in your water line? Usually water leaks out of a leaky water line, not air leaking in.

When I turn on a faucet water flows for a few seconds then a combination of air and water. The pump continues to run after shut off for a minute or so with a normal pumping sound then just a low whining sound which continues. If I shut off the water pump for a while then turn it back on nothing happens for a while thenb the whining sound comes on spontaneously.

I was told by Lance Service to pressurize the system by attaching a hose from house water to the camper and search for any sign of leaking water which would suggest where the air leak is occurring. That is not easy to do in a camper.

I appreciate all the advise and will start in the morning to try some of the suggestions.

[K_Charles]

As said above, the leak is on the suction side. You should find a better mechanic but for this you should be able to do it yourself.

[Super_Dave]

I've wrestled this issue only once and my problem was the pressure relief valve on the HWH.

[bjbear]

Air being sucked into the water system means the leak is on the suction (inlet) side of the pump. Most likely culprit is fitting on outlet of tank. Often, a bit of water will be trapped there when the system is winterized. It then freezes and fractures the fitting.

[Old-Biscuit]

Air enters from suction side on pump...water leaks out from discharge side of pump

So check every fitting/hose/valve/pump casing on suction side of pump

[DWeikert]

Can you back up a bit and explain the air in your water line? Usually water leaks out of a leaky water line, not air leaking in.

[enblethen]

It is probably between the tank and the pump on the suction side.
Does your rig have an anti-freeze suction valve? This is a three way valve that allows you to suck anti-freeze from a jug. Valve may not be completely in the operate position allowing air into system.
Next is to look or feel along the line from the tank. Normally it would be at a connection. Some times there could have been a screw into the line during construction.

[2oldman]

My advice would be to look for a water leak.

[ticki2]

Usually it's the line( hose )from the water tank to the pump . Check the fittings/clamps first . If not that the hose itself may be porous or have cracked ends . Sometimes you can just cut the ends off and re-clamp .