Do I need a new water pump?

[Cousin Ed]

When I winterized in November I could not get the antifreeze hose to suck. I bought a little hand pump and once I got the pink stuff flowing it worked OK. Then we left for "The Fort" at the end of Dec. I flushed all the pink stuff out with the "City hook up". We noticed a problem when we tried to flush the toilet on the road. OK we just used a jug to flush on the road. The City water at the campgrounds worked fine.

Before we started back north I remembered to try the pump... didn't pump, made noise but no water. I called my dealer (Flagg RV W. Boylston, MA, recommended to anyone) the service guy say you have an air block. Opened the water heater valves for a few minutes and all was well for the trip north.

It's April when we get home and have to winterize again. No sucking again. Call Flagg, the service guy says use the hand pump to winterize but you need a need pump.

He's the question do I need pump (Shurflow 5.7)? MH is almost 5 years old with 53,000 miles.

Thanks for the help I know I'll get here!

[J Walker]

The most likely problem is that your pump is not primed. Mine will not prime itself unless I close all faucets and then open the low point drain. It works every time. The other likely problem is that the intake hose is not tightly secured enough and air is entering. The fact that you pump works once primed tells me that it is just a priming problem.

[BRay]

You might also check the filter to see if is totally/partially blocked.

[CMcCardell]

Check also to make sure the City Water/Fill selector is where it should be, if you have one -

- Clay

[Gary RVRoamer]

It is fairly rare for these pumps to go bad and at 5 years yours is not old or worn out. I'd bet on one of the other solutions suggested here rather than a new pump.