Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Did I fry my water pump?

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Did I fry my water pump?

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8925
Printed Date: 04 Nov 2025 at 12:38am
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Topic: Did I fry my water pump?

Posted By: GLBCamper
Subject: Did I fry my water pump?
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2016 at 6:02pm

I had my dealer winterize this year and I noticed four days after getting it home that they had left the water pump switch on. There was no water in the fresh water tank. I forgot to feel the pump to see if it was warm.

When I called the service tech he said that it wasn't a problem because they bypassed the pump and since there was pressure in the lines with the pink stuff, the pump wouldn't have triggered on anyway.

That doesn't sound right to me. I know you can bypass the hot water heater, but the pump? I can't check it until next spring since it is winterized now and I'm going to worry all winter. (Check my prior posts, I worry about EVERYTHING :)

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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport

Replies:

Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2016 at 6:21pm

Was the battery present and connected on your way home?

If yes, was the battery dead four days later?

The pump is designed to run dry, but I don't know the effect of extended dry running without the lubrication of water. Bypassing the pump makes no sense unless they're talking about pumping antifreeze with the winterizing valve. It's true that if the plumbing downstream from the pump is pressurized the pump will not run, but remaining so for four days would be unusual.

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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2016 at 6:33pm

I plugged it into shore power as soon as I got home, so no loss of battery power to go by.

When I talked to the tech he asked if the pump was making noise and when I said no he said that meant the lines were still pressurized and the pump was fine. But I would argue that a fried pump wouldn't be making any noise either.

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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2016 at 7:55pm

If the lines are full of antifreeze it won't hurt to turn off the pump, open the cold water valve on the sink, turn the pump on for a second and see if it comes on. If it comes on, your question is answered. Unless you have water in your potable tank, any antifreeze you lose won't be replaced with anything, so your lines will be fine. In any case, turn the pump off and leave all of the valves, sink(s) and shower, open for the winter.

TT

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2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2016 at 8:37pm

Ditto!

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2025 Ford Transit Camper van
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2016 at 10:03pm

Agree with T.T., your pump is most likely ok.

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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: furpod
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2016 at 10:06pm

The pump is "run dry proof".. though that's a heck of a test to put it through..

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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2016 at 10:11pm

Just thought about this Mark, when did FR change from the rings as your 2011 177 has the rings and my 2011 177 has the newer graphics with the frog. I ordered mine in January 2011 and picked it up 5 weeks later.

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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: furpod
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 9:32am

Originally posted by jato

Just thought about this Mark, when did FR change from the rings as your 2011 177 has the rings and my 2011 177 has the newer graphics with the frog. I ordered mine in January 2011 and picked it up 5 weeks later.

FR seems to always change the graphics mid model year. Not sure why.. but it's how they do it. I note Lance does the same thing, so it may be an industry thing. I was on a dealers lot yesterday in south Chicago, they had two 178's, both 2017, one blue, one green. Parked right next to each other. Interestingly it has been pointed out that some "blue" pods have a blue roof, and some, cream...

I wish you had asked this a couple days ago, I did lunch Tuesday with the person from the factory that would know.. Our pod was produced in 2010, but I don't remember it's exact build date. I will check it tomorrow.

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Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2016 at 10:05am

The last ring Pods would have been made at the end of the 3rd quarter or beginning of 4th quarter of 2010. The "technically" 3rd but only first major graphics change from Rings to the yellow lines and green swooshes went into production in the Fall of 2010.

My Pod was made in October of 2010 and is a 2011 model year. It was in the first batch run of the new graphics.

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