Water Pump not Drawing Water

[newmarpusher]

I just de-winterized for my trip out to Camp Newmar in the morning so we could have facilities on the way out.

WELL, the water pump is "pumping" but not drawing water.

Tank is full. Water flows freely from all faucets while on city water.

With city water disconnected, the water pump will pump the water left in the line from the city water from any faucet, then just pumps air. So it's working, just not drawing water from the tank.

Where to look? What could the issue be?

Thanks in advance. Obviously I can get it looked at at Newmar on Monday but would like to have working water for the two day drive out.

[Electra 225]

Is it possible your fresh water fill valve is not switched back from the fill position? Even slightly in between fill and normal will have the same effect.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
W.D.

[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by Electra 225

Is it possible your fresh water fill valve is not switched back from the fill position? Even slightly in between fill and normal will have the same effect.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
W.D.

Thanks but that's not the issue. I've quadruple checked that valve, the three low water drains, exterior faucet and all internal faucets.




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[Electra 225]

Ok. I'm wondering then if the pump has lost prime somehow, and the air behind the water in the lines (after city water shut off) just pushes the water out. Making it appear to pump, if that makes any sense.
Just thinking as fast as I can on the variables, not trying to annoy you

How about the winterizing valve, did you say that was all the way off for sure too? It's just got to be sucking air somewhere, or lost prime.

Jump in here folks!

W.D.

[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by Electra 225

Ok. I'm wondering then if the pump has lost prime somehow, and the air behind the water in the lines (after city water shut off) just pushes the water out. Making it appear to pump, if that makes any sense.
Just thinking as fast as I can on the variables, not trying to annoy you

How about the winterizing valve, did you say that was all the way off for sure too? It's just got to be sucking air somewhere, or lost prime.

Jump in here folks!

W.D.

Not annoying me at all.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Yes it appears to have lost prime or is sucking air from somewhere.


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[newmarpusher]

What should be the normal operation position of the A and B valves in this photo?





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[Electra 225]

I am pretty sure that in your photo, valve A is off, and valve B is on. Where is valve B's pipe going to or coming from to the right?

Just wondering if that leads to your winterize siphon tube. If it does, then there's your air source coming in.....

I'm not sure of the plumbing routing in the Ventana, sorry.

[Rotten-Red]

Try opening low point cold water drain with pump running. Maybe with no pressure on outbound side of pump it will pick up its prime. It may take a little time to prime.

[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by Electra 225

I am pretty sure that in your photo, valve A is off, and valve B is on. Where is valve B's pipe going to or coming from to the right?

That's not MY picture. I "borrowed it" from Farmer Steve here on the forum. My A valve WAS frozen closed and my B closed. b comes from the tube that you stick into the antifreeze jug when winterizing.

I can't figure what a does and it was jammed in the closed position. Your comments about it sucking air got me thinking SOMETHING was in the wrong position. I had to use some pliers to force the A valve open.

SUCCESS!!! With the A valve open, the pump quickly came to a stop with all faucets closed. It is now functioning normally.

Yea. We can use the toilets for the next two days.


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[Electra 225]

Originally Posted by newmarpusher

That's not MY picture. I "borrowed it" from Farmer Steve here on the forum. My A valve WAS frozen closed and my B closed. b comes from the tube that you stick into the antifreeze jug when winterizing.

I can't figure what a does and it was jammed in the closed position. Your comments about it sucking air got me thinking SOMETHING was in the wrong position. I had to use some pliers to force the A valve open.

SUCCESS!!! With the A valve open, the pump quickly came to a stop with all faucets closed. It is now functioning normally.

Yea. We can use the toilets for the next two days.


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Hey great!

I was guessing the B valve went to the siphon tube. I was assuming that was actually your picture, I thought heck valve B should be shut. I think valve A is your main feed from the fresh water tank.

Anyway, all's well that ends well! Glad you got 'er going, safe travels to camp Newmar!!

P.S.-- a word of caution, watch that valve....on my Canyon Star I had one of those plastic turn knobs come off in my hand when I turned it. Key is, I hadn't turned it for some time (was on low point drain). No leak (it was closed, otherwise there would have been) but I had to replace the valve. Just concerned since it turned really hard for you, keep a couple spares on hand just in case. They're really not that robust.

Regards,
W.D.

[Rotten-Red]

Originally Posted by newmarpusher

That's not MY picture. I "borrowed it" from Farmer Steve here on the forum. My A valve WAS frozen closed and my B closed. b comes from the tube that you stick into the antifreeze jug when winterizing.

I can't figure what a does and it was jammed in the closed position. Your comments about it sucking air got me thinking SOMETHING was in the wrong position. I had to use some pliers to force the A valve open.

SUCCESS!!! With the A valve open, the pump quickly came to a stop with all faucets closed. It is now functioning normally.

Yea. We can use the toilets for the next two days.


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A valve opens the line to the tank. B valve opens line to winterizing tube. When you winterize you close A and open B to draw antifreeze into system.

[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by Rotten-Red

A valve opens the line to the tank. B valve opens line to winterizing tube. When you winterize you close A and open B to draw antifreeze into system.

Thanks Red. That makes perfect sense and explains my issue to a T.

I've "un-winterized" many an RV over the last 40+ years which gave me the unearned confidence to NOT read the directions for this new one.

I never had so many unlabeled valves before.


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[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by Electra 225

Hey great!

I was guessing the B valve went to the siphon tube. I was assuming that was actually your picture, I thought heck valve B should be shut. I think valve A is your main feed from the fresh water tank.

Anyway, all's well that ends well! Glad you got 'er going, safe travels to camp Newmar!!

P.S.-- a word of caution, watch that valve....on my Canyon Star I had one of those plastic turn knobs come off in my hand when I turned it. Key is, I hadn't turned it for some time (was on low point drain). No leak (it was closed, otherwise there would have been) but I had to replace the valve. Just concerned since it turned really hard for you, keep a couple spares on hand just in case. They're really not that robust.

Regards,
W.D.

Thanks, I'll have Newmar take a look at that A valve on Monday.


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[Rotten-Red]

Originally Posted by newmarpusher

Thanks Red. That makes perfect sense and explains my issue to a T.

I've "un-winterized" many an RV over the last 40+ years which gave me the unearned confidence to NOT read the directions for this new one.

I never had so many unlabeled valves before.


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Glad it all worked out.

Have a safe trip, I live about 70 miles north of Newmar and the weather forecast is looking good for the next few days. No freezing days or nights.