Water Pump
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2488
Printed Date: 15 May 2025 at 1:42pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Water Pump
Posted By: Bill-GA
Subject: Water Pump
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2012 at 6:20pm
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I getting ready to go out next week - site only has electric I think. I filled the water tank, made sure all the heater valves were correct, attached the water hose, looked for leaks ... All looked well ... Some sputtering when I turned the hot/cold on at the sink, same for toilet ... Then they all ran solid stream. I turned off the water supply, turned on the water pump ... I hear it running. Sink ran solid for a second, then started to sputter and gurgle both hot & cold at the sink. Toilet runs solid, pump stays on and sink continues to sputter! I've done this about 6 times ! It's almost like there's an air bubble that won't let the pump do it's job to the sink? Wait! I just openned the under sink access and saw a black 2" device connected to the left of the water pump with a hose input - device labelled "vacuum side only" - I started to feel around it ... All of a sudden the water flowed !!! Is this a check value of some sort? Was it stuck maybe? Any suggestions? Thanks.  ------------- Bill & Bev 13 yr old dachshund 'Elsa' 2010 RP-176T (tent & slide-out) 2011 Toyota Tundra 2WD TV |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2012 at 8:17pm
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Sounds like you turned the fresh water tank bypass valve, which lets you suck RV antifreeze into the system during winterization through that open hose. Make sure you turned the valve all the way. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2012 at 8:36pm
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Techntrek is right, that valve is opened when you want to pull rv antifreeze into the system for winterization. if the valve is open, or partially open the pump will take the easy way out and pull air in instead of water from your tank, its easier to pump air than water. your on the right track, be sure hot water heater is full before turning on electric heater element. gas wont hurt short term if empty but if tank is empty and you flip on electric element, zap element gone. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 9:47am
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I take it that you personally didn't winterize your camper? As other have said, it sounds like the bypass to allow picking-up the anti-freeze from the bottle.
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: Bill-GA
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 10:34am
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I had winterized my camper in Dec and used that valve to fill anti-freeze into lines. Yesterday, when the water didn't pump, that was the first thing I checked. The open end of that hose was dry and I verified that the anti-freeze fill valve handle ran parallel to the main hoses. I had the pump running and was touching /squeezing the check valve (?) when I heard the pump " byte" into the water and start pumping. I will go out the AM and see what happens ( pumps been off all night ). I will also look at my documentation to see if I can find out if it is a check valve... Or whatever. ------------- Bill & Bev 13 yr old dachshund 'Elsa' 2010 RP-176T (tent & slide-out) 2011 Toyota Tundra 2WD TV |
Posted By: Bill-GA
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 2:22pm
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Problem SOLVED! (I think)
(I neglected to mention that this sputter problem had happened once before and when I fiddled with the pump, it started working).
Today I went to a pile of documentation I have and found out that the device next to the pump is a STRAINER . From the doc "Installation of a strainer is required to prevent debris from entering pump." Here is a pix of the Water Pump and the STRAINER (Bottom of strainer up) to the left.
 I wondered if there was something in my strainer which was blocking the flow of water. When I was foolin with it, I may have moved something inside? I drained the system to take a look. Input hose is attached on the left with "swivel barb fittings" which was easy to hand loosen and then I unscrewed the strainer from the pump.
Surprise! The top of the strainer was a clear plastic threaded cap (1 1/4") with only about 2 threads. The cap was just a bit LOOSE. I opened it and took out some minor debris. Then, I speculated that previously when I was feeling around that area when the pump was running, it was just enough to seal the strainer cap and let the pump do it's job - it was exactly the behavior I experienced twice. I tightened the cap up really well and re-installed the strainer - all tested well.
I did notice that it would be VERY desirable to have the strainer cap facing up-wards in case I need to check it again - I plan to get some Teflon tape and wrap the strainer/pump connection so that this will happen.
So bottom line, I think you guys were right about air getting in, but it was just from another source. Thanks. ------------- Bill & Bev 13 yr old dachshund 'Elsa' 2010 RP-176T (tent & slide-out) 2011 Toyota Tundra 2WD TV |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 4:57pm
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I recommend that all hand-tightened pipe connections be checked on new Pods. I had a factory connection fall apart on the third trip. It had been tightened only onto the first thread and finally worked itself apart. Luckily, it was while I was installing sound-deadening material under the water pump. The two pieces just fell apart...I was able to easily hand tighten them securely.
------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2012 at 8:54pm
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Good job guys, hey Tidalwave, I have been thinking about trying to quiet the pump a little, I know it cant be wrapped to tight or may overheat, but can it be bedded in a foam or something to help soften the vibrating drone ? ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2012 at 8:29am
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Best thing to do is to mount it on top of a thick mouse pad. Screw the pad to the floor, then screw the pump on top. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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