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SteveZ494 · 11-24-2012, 07:44 PM

Great tips for next year. I never have used this much antifreeze to winterize a coach, but I wanted to "git 'er dun" being it IS getting wintery here in the Rochester, NY area. So I figured I would spring for the few extra gallons and get this finished. HOWEVER.......I'm still trying go figure out why the antifreeze won't pump through the water system. Next year.........I'll be better prepared. <grin> I'll be drawing antifreeze directl from the gallon jug. You can bet on it.

HOWEVER.........in the meantime.............I still got to get these waterlines winterized. (Unfortunately, I just can't head south for Florida.) DARN IT!

**NLOVNIT** · 11-24-2012, 07:51 PM

Please don't take offense, but I'll start by asking the obvious: Was the pump working before you started the winterizing process?

Lori-

SteveZ494 · 11-24-2012, 09:43 PM

LOL VERY good question.

Yes......just last weekend, we were out dry camping and the pump and water system worked just fine. Thus the reason I'm perplexed.

So far, adding (even ) more antifreeze to the tank is the only thought that I have currently.

Damon92 · 11-24-2012, 10:21 PM

Did you lose the prime when u emptied tank? Take water line off at pump and draw out of cup to get it pulling from tank again. I just went they this and it worked. Good luck.

wanderso · 11-25-2012, 12:46 AM

You mentioned draining your fresh water tank. For me on my fleetwood this past summer I found that there was some "gunk" in the bottom of the tank - just enough to cause a simple metal screen on the pump inlet to clog and stop flow. In my case it is a small, clear colored plastic device on the pump inlet. I removed it, cleaned it out, and the pump re-primed.

As others have mentioned, if you can remove the small screen (I could) and remember to put it back in the spring after flushing the system, you will be good to go.

I've had the thick pink stuff clog this screen also. Now days, after gravity empty of the water tanks and heater, I've changed over to blowing out the lines with <40 PSI of compressed air due to the hassle of clearing the lines in the spring. I've spent the majority of a summer tasting the pink stuff. Yuck. No more. I do still pour some of the antifreeze in the waste lines. I live in a moderate climate area; the local RV shop does the same as I do.

The water heater, ball valve on the toilet and the pump seem to be the greatest risk areas. My lines are also pex.

Disclaimer - Antifreeze is still the safest method.

"007" · 11-25-2012, 05:39 AM

If you have jacks tilt the coach to outlet side of tank may have enough in tank to finish the job.

SteveZ494 · 11-25-2012, 05:50 AM

Thanks Wanderso. I was actually going to do the "blow out the lines" method, as we plan on doing some winter camping this year and thought winterizing/dewinterizing the water system would be easier and more convenient than the antifreeze method. However, being a creature of habit, <grin> I returned to the "pink stuff" method. You are correct that we will be tasting that for our first few outings come spring.

I'll check the pump filter as you suggest, even though I DO see antifreeze in the lines past the pump, heading toward the HWH. It certainly is possible something gunked up the filter just after it started pumping. I'll check it out.

On a good note, I think I may be a convert to the "blow out the lines" method come net year. What is normally a 20 - 30 minute winterizing process start to finish has turned out to be loooong and frustrating event. It will be interesting to finally chase down with the snafu is that exists. (I mean, how many things could it be, right?)

Thanks to EVERYONE for their response!!! Once resolved I'll be sure to post it up. In the meantime if anyone else has any OTHER ideas............

Enjoy your day everybody! :-)

SteveZ494 · 11-25-2012, 06:11 PM

Problem solved! The inside was clogged water pump screen. And I mean CLOGGED! 2 minute cleaning had me up and running in moments.

Thanks so much. Next year will be different. LOL

**CLIFFTALL** · 11-25-2012, 06:14 PM

Thanks for the update. Glad you got it going.

Cliff

SteveZ494 · 11-25-2012, 06:21 PM

If it wasn't for the input for the members here, I would have been pulling my hair out (and therefore end up being bald.) LOL

Truly, I hope I can "give back" to the membership here.