Water Pump Disconnected Hose - R-pod Owners Forum

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shirlgirl

Newbie

Joined: 19 Aug 2020
Location: Tucson, AZ
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2

Topic: Water Pump Disconnected Hose
Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 10:51am

Hi Everyone!

I'm a new owner of a used 2015 178 r-pod and have a question about the water pump constantly running. I use it off battery and propane, pressurized the water system, but the pump keeps running every few minutes. So I turned it off unless using water. I checked the water filter but it looks clean and undamaged. Then I noticed a disconnected hose but I couldn't see any place to connect it. I drove on a rocky dirt road so maybe it vibrated loose but I can't find anyplace to re-attach it.

I included a photo and noted hose with yellow. Is this normal?

Thank you!

-shirley

-shirlgirl

Grant177

Groupie

Joined: 15 Mar 2020
Location: Edmonton, AB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 65

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 11:06am

That is your alternate intake hose for winterizing (sucking in anti-freeze). You insert that into a bottle of RV antifreeze (IMPORTANT - USE ONLY non-toxic RV anti-freeze!!) Edit: Just noticed you are in AZ, so perhaps you never need to winterize...I'm jealous if that is the case...then again...I rarely have to use AC here...(cold, chilly Canada).

Notice how it connects to a valve (the circular shaped white piece directly beside the blue colored connector) - there is a little lever under there you can flip 90 degrees (when you need to winterize etc). It is currently in the "tank" position...which lets water flow from the fresh water tank into the pump. By flipping that valve (pointing towards the short hose) the pump will now pull from the open end and the pump no longer draws from the water tank.

If you find it is running often, you may have a leak somewhere. Turn on the pump and just check everywhere possible - hot water tank area, toilet, shower (and the valves behind the shower controls), under the sink etc. Any slow leak (a dripping faucet or shower head, or a little dribble of water into the toilet etc.) will cause the pressure to drop and then eventually the pump ramps up the pressure again.

That said, I had the same problem and I could find nowhere it was leaking. I eventually removed the pump (thinking it was faulty) and completely disassembled it (it is pretty easy....just carefully note where all the wires and screws go) and cleaned/checked the rubber diaphragm inside (I found nothing obviously wrong) but after re-assembling it all the problem went away... I assume there was maybe some debris or something not sealed correctly.

Hard to tell from the picture, but you might even be able to disassemble the pump right there without disconnecting any hoses or removing the pump at all. All the screws seem to be accessible. Someone more knowledgeable here may have some advice.

Here is a video that goes over some disassembly....

https://youtu.be/XaJjU09ygmU

Grant
2011 R-Pod 177

shirlgirl

Newbie

Joined: 19 Aug 2020
Location: Tucson, AZ
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 11:39am

Grant, I appreciate all the great info you provided. Obviously I have a lot to learn. I'll start checking for leaks.

Thank you!

-shirlgirl

Grant177

Groupie

Joined: 15 Mar 2020
Location: Edmonton, AB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 65

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 11:43am

Don't forget to check OUTSIDE as well...should have added that in the note:

1) The hot water tank area behind the access panel on the outside also has locations (hot water tank pressure release valve, anode rod, heating element area) that can leak.

2) Low Point Drains. If there are not sealed, water could be dripping from the low point drains underneath as well.

Grant
2011 R-Pod 177

Senior Member

Joined: 31 Aug 2018
Location: Manistee, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 376

Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 7:15pm

Also you may want to check the outside shower for a possible leak running down the outside of the trailer. I am not sure if the 178 has an outdoor shower??

Jay

179/2019

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shirlgirl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Aug 2020 Location: Tucson, AZ Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Topic: Water Pump Disconnected Hose Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 10:51am
	Hi Everyone! I'm a new owner of a used 2015 178 r-pod and have a question about the water pump constantly running. I use it off battery and propane, pressurized the water system, but the pump keeps running every few minutes. So I turned it off unless using water. I checked the water filter but it looks clean and undamaged. Then I noticed a disconnected hose but I couldn't see any place to connect it. I drove on a rocky dirt road so maybe it vibrated loose but I can't find anyplace to re-attach it. I included a photo and noted hose with yellow. Is this normal? Thank you! -shirley
	-shirlgirl

Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 11:06am
	That is your alternate intake hose for winterizing (sucking in anti-freeze). You insert that into a bottle of RV antifreeze (IMPORTANT - USE ONLY non-toxic RV anti-freeze!!) Edit: Just noticed you are in AZ, so perhaps you never need to winterize...I'm jealous if that is the case...then again...I rarely have to use AC here...(cold, chilly Canada). Notice how it connects to a valve (the circular shaped white piece directly beside the blue colored connector) - there is a little lever under there you can flip 90 degrees (when you need to winterize etc). It is currently in the "tank" position...which lets water flow from the fresh water tank into the pump. By flipping that valve (pointing towards the short hose) the pump will now pull from the open end and the pump no longer draws from the water tank. If you find it is running often, you may have a leak somewhere. Turn on the pump and just check everywhere possible - hot water tank area, toilet, shower (and the valves behind the shower controls), under the sink etc. Any slow leak (a dripping faucet or shower head, or a little dribble of water into the toilet etc.) will cause the pressure to drop and then eventually the pump ramps up the pressure again. That said, I had the same problem and I could find nowhere it was leaking. I eventually removed the pump (thinking it was faulty) and completely disassembled it (it is pretty easy....just carefully note where all the wires and screws go) and cleaned/checked the rubber diaphragm inside (I found nothing obviously wrong) but after re-assembling it all the problem went away... I assume there was maybe some debris or something not sealed correctly. Hard to tell from the picture, but you might even be able to disassemble the pump right there without disconnecting any hoses or removing the pump at all. All the screws seem to be accessible. Someone more knowledgeable here may have some advice. Here is a video that goes over some disassembly.... https://youtu.be/XaJjU09ygmU
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177

shirlgirl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Aug 2020 Location: Tucson, AZ Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 11:39am
	Grant, I appreciate all the great info you provided. Obviously I have a lot to learn. I'll start checking for leaks. Thank you!
	-shirlgirl

Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 11:43am
	Don't forget to check OUTSIDE as well...should have added that in the note: 1) The hot water tank area behind the access panel on the outside also has locations (hot water tank pressure release valve, anode rod, heating element area) that can leak. 2) Low Point Drains. If there are not sealed, water could be dripping from the low point drains underneath as well.
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177

JR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 31 Aug 2018 Location: Manistee, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 376	Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 7:15pm
	Also you may want to check the outside shower for a possible leak running down the outside of the trailer. I am not sure if the 178 has an outdoor shower??
	Jay 179/2019