Water Pump - Not working right - well sorta

[sonuvabug]

When using using the fresh water tank with the 12v water pump (no city water pressure), the water pressure/flow gurgles and flows very slowly as observed by looking at the lines themselves and by the flow at the end of the faucet.

The lines gurgle when engaged but the pump doesn't shut off as when the line is fully pressurized. You can hear the electrical motor running but that deep sound of the water pump running is largely absent. My guess is the pump motor (electrical bit) are fine ... it's just the pumping bits (diaphragm or impeller?) that is broken.

Any ideas and is there a kit to replace just the pumping bits?

[JoeChiOhki]

Depending on the manufacturer of your rig, there may be a 1-way check valve between your pump and the tank to prevent back flow into the tank if the valve in the pump body were to fail.

If that valve gets stuck closed, gravity will not feed water into the pump from the tank and your pump will have nothing to prime from.

Also note on the really old Shurflos, they were horrible at self priming, and usually required the air to be fully purged from the system to get it to start.

Also, another thing to check.

If your rig has a winterization mode, there may be a T-valve by the tank that allows for the connecting of an external inlet line to pump anti-freeze into the system.

This valve needs to be set back to drawing from the tank and not the bypass line or it won't draw water out of the tank and will just continuously suck air.

[Vw_triker]

Make sure it's turned off city outside where you hook up the hose.mine did the same thing, that was the problem

[Notakwanon]

My water pump will not self-prime unless he reservoir is nearly full. On one occasion I found a crack in a plastic "L" joining two sections of PEX close to the pump which was allowing air to get sucked into the pump. Replaced the L, and also unscrewed the connector on the outlet side of the pump, & ran the pump to confirm water without a lot of bubbles was coming out.

[fpoole]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Is the inline filter clogged? All pumps will have an inline filter on the suction side.

I checked that on the pump water input side, not clogged that I could see and the pressure is fine over in the Bathroom area, so I would think if clogged there, then all would be slow...

Also OP, I checked the faucet's filters, strainers too.. there's two of them, one on the end of faucet and one going into the handle..
Both appeared ok..

[jplante4]

Look for a crack in the suction strainer casing.

[SidecarFlip]

Is the inline filter clogged? All pumps will have an inline filter on the suction side.

[Old-Biscuit]

Air leaks only occur on pump SUCTION side

Any leak on pump DISCHARGE side would result in water leaking


Pump casing, suction strainer, suction hose clamps/fittings etc

And if pump is a Shurflo 2088 model.......obsolete/out of production several years ago/no parts.
So if you need to replace cause pump casing is cracked etc then get a Surflo 4008 (3gpm/55psi) or 4088 (4gpm/55psi)---direct replacements

[fpoole]

Yep, going through the same thing, sorta...

Kitchen water is almost like a steady drip in Slooo-Mo.....
Shower/sink/toilet flow is fine and pump works fine (I think anyway, who knows with the Pounding sounds), it's just kitchen faucet.

Tried air compressor (small one) blowing out the lines from the pump output, not sure it was enough pressure.

In looking into it further, apparently there's a "Faucet Cartridge" in the kitchen faucet that can get clogged. It's a real PITA to get out and I'm taking it into the Shop, just don't have the tools/expertise to yank the whole thing out.

Earlier, I also did have the pump go out. It was acting screwy, like a short, but then eventually failed. I now recommend carrying an extra one when you have the chance. I went to an RV shop in Flagstaff, AZ and the pump was almost 2xs the cost on Amazon.. so just a heads up.

Not much help, but I feel the pain...

[sonuvabug]

Thanks all for your replies. Full fresh water tank, all faucets closed, no outside hand faucet, all valves set for camping and by-pass open to Hot water tank. Air leak sounds like a likely cause. Never had one so I'll just try to track it down.

I'm guessing you start at the water pump and work out? At first I though maybe the connection between the fresh water tank and the pump was loose or corrupt. Maybe I'll start there. Is there a water pickup" in the fresh water tank .... that might be plugged? Not looking forward to this due to the limited basement space to work in.

[jaycocreek]

Sometimes at the city water inlet there is a little valve that seals when disconnected from the city water.I have used just a small nail to push it in/then it pops out, and it reseals itself.

Just a possibility that I have encountered a few times.

Make sure the bypass is in the correct position also.Another of my minor mistakes with the water system.

[SideHillSoup]

Yup, sounds like an air leak. Also check the outside shower taps, make sure they are also closed. It may take a while to track the air leak down, or it may just be a loose fitting, not fully closed tap... usually it is something simple, but not always.
Soup.

[Jim]

Sounds more like an air leak or something.

Is there enough water in the tank?
Are the flow valves fully set for camping and not bypass?
Are the two showers turned off at the valves (not just the heads)?
Are ALL the faucets in the house in proper working order?

I've taken my Shurflow apart and they are pretty simple, and reliable. Not much to go wrong inside. I was able to get mine working again with just a good cleaning. I'd look elsewhere for a cause before working on the pump itself.