I need HELP!!!: Water Pump Issue

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Water Pump Issue

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16177
Printed Date: 25 Jun 2025 at 1:03pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Water Pump Issue

Posted By: Barry.l.jeffries@gma
Subject: Water Pump Issue
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2025 at 11:04pm

I live in Alaska and bought a used 2017 R pod 180 this winter at five below zero. Took it home and put it in a heated garage. Now above freezing, I hooked up to House power and water and flushed out the plumbing. Now I have filled the freshwater tank and turn on the pump which runs continuously, but does not prime. If I fill the pipes, it does seem to pump that water out with good pressure. I searched online for a good maintenance/repair manual and came up empty-handed. Before I start tearing things apart, is there a good source on how to troubleshoot the water pump? this is the first piece of equipment. I’ve owned in the last 20 years that did not have a huge amount of detailed equipment information online. trans transplanted myself from Indiana and am very embarrassed by my Hoosier engineers

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Barry Jeffries

Replies:

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2025 at 5:51am

When the water system is winterized a 3-way valve is utilized to introduce either rv antifreeze or compressed air (which is my choice) through the open-ended pigtail. The culprit to your dilemma is likely the 3 way valve is partially or still open so that air is sucked through the pigtail, not allowing pressure to build up and turn the water pump off. To find the rascal, locate your water pump and with the water line in your hand go upstream until you find the valve and open pigtail. Turn the valve while pump is running until you no longer feel a suction on the open pigtail line. That should solve your problem.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2025 at 11:10pm

+1 as to what Jato wrote. Now, to preempt the question, there are three valves in addition for the water heater. One on the line connecting to the top, one on the line connecting to the bottom, and a third bridging the top and bottom lines. If it was winterized, the top and bottom valves are shut and the bridging valve is open. Shut the bridging valve and open the top and bottom water heater valves and then you can flush the water heater tank also.

The pump and water heater should be toward the front, under the bed on the forward side of the furnace. You will likely need to remove the mattress and take up the bed platform panels to get to it easily. I ended up putting hinges on mine so I could raise it up. Then I had a better idea and made an access panel in the bed platform so I would just have to lift that to get to the valves. That worked pretty well.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: Barry.l.jeffries@gma
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2025 at 11:35pm

Thank you, Jato and Steven H. Found three valves and now I have water. Sorry I posted the issue so many times I’m still having trouble getting comfortable with the software.

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Barry Jeffries

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2025 at 11:51pm

Here is a forum hint for you. If you find you posted something, you can delete it as long as nobody has replied to it. If someone has, it locks it so you can't delete it. You could always request a forum admin to delete the extra posts though. If the option to delete isn't under Post Options, look in the header under Topic Options.

By the way, Welcome and congratulations on your "new to you" RPod 180. I hope you have many fun adventures and make many great memories with it.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS