Community Forums

Paul_D · 01-07-2025, 09:11 AM

I can only think of a few reasons

Do you have a diverter valve on the shower. These are used to route hot water back to the freshwater tank, so you don't waste water while waiting for the hot water. If you have one make sure its not set to divert to the freshwater tank.

Another possibility is a leak in the system, after the pump, but this should cause water to be seen leaking somewhere. Any signs of water under the RV?

and finally, you could be sucking air on the pump inlet. If the tank line froze, it could have split the line or more likely a connector. Air could be drawn in and when it hits the pump, the pump can't build pressure.

SafariBen · 01-07-2025, 09:32 AM

Plug the outlet of the pump to see if it will shut off, then you know you have a leak in the rest of the system.

rgnprof · 01-08-2025, 08:31 PM

Been freezing and snowing here and we've been on the move - I have been able to hook up to city water for now (with a nice heated hose).

I will check things out further a little later...

DarkSideJeep · 01-08-2025, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgnprof

See attached photo - my pump just started acting up - it won't stop running but won't pump any water. I took off the filter screen and found this plastic stuff in it (???) and noticed 2 of the housing screws loose. Tightened them down and it runs (sounds) better, much quieter and smoother - but still doesn't shut off or pump water. Sounds like it's pumping air - I don't know.

Any idea what this plastic is from?

Do you have a city fill valve. On my coach if the city fill valve is set to tank fill the pump will run continuously recirculating the water through the pump.

rgnprof · 01-10-2025, 02:13 PM

I have made some small progress...I have discovered a leak on the outlet side where it leads to a tee - one goes to the onboard water filter and the other inside the coach. I'm assuming some of that is why this thing won't shut off.

But I've got this weird problem of the water continuing to run out all faucets even when the pump is turned off AND with no city water hose connected. It will run for a minute, maybe more (?) and then eventually slows to a trickle and will stop. Also, I'm not sure my hot water tank is filling properly when using the water pump. When I connect city water, I can clearly hear the hot water tank filling up.

As far as a city water "valve" - I see no valve. I just hook up a hose to the city water hose connection...

AND, I have hot water coming out the cold side - even on the new water filter faucet I just installed. With pump off and no city water connected I initially get cold water from my water filtered faucet, but after 30-60 seconds the water is hot - hot water tank hot!

Confused!

Paul_D · 01-11-2025, 09:51 AM

If you have an accumulator tank in the system, it would explain the water running without the pump or city water. I have no idea on the hot water issue.

SafariBen · 01-11-2025, 10:10 AM

If the water heater is not open at the top, it will act as an accumulator tank, and when you shut the pump off the air in the top of the tank will push the hot water out to the faucets. You should be able to open a hot faucet and burp the air when you fill, then get no more air, and a few seconds of water after the pump is shut off from a typical accumulator. Sounds like you haven't opened the valve at the top of the water heater.

rgnprof · 01-11-2025, 07:36 PM

I have no accumulator and I'm not sure what "valve at the of the water heater" you are referencing? The pressure relief valve? If so, I've never messed with it when refilling...

"If the water heater is not open at the top" - I don't know what this means??

SafariBen · 01-11-2025, 09:07 PM

On a residential water heater, the hot and cold water ports are both at the top. On most RV water heaters I've seen, the cold inlet is at the bottom, and the hot outlet is toward the top of the water heater tank. There are various valves to BYPASS the water heater for winterizing, because you don't want to fill the water heater with antifreeze. If those are not turned back correctly for use, then the hot water outlet is not open from the tank to the plumbing, and air will remain in the tank, pushing water back out the inlet if the pump is shut off and pressure drops.

Do not mess with the TPRV, it might leak.

rgnprof · 01-12-2025, 08:09 AM

This is the only valve I can find and I have not touched it since we bought the RV in May 2023. Didn't winterize last winter (2023) and didn't this winter - we have been traveling in it for the last 2 weeks+.

It's weird - I get water while running the pump AND after shutting off the pump - clearly it's pressuring the system. The pump still will NOT shut off after closing faucets, so after shutting it off I will get water for a minute or more and the cold will run to hot and stay there. If I turn the pump back on, I'm getting cold water again from the cold faucets!

IF YOU CLICK THE PHOTO IT ROTATES!

SafariBen · 01-12-2025, 11:46 AM

the only part that doesn't make sense with the water heater full of air, is the pump not shutting off, how long will the pump run if you let it keep going? Five minutes? if it does, shut it off, and wait a couple minutes, then go another two minutes. If the pump shuts off eventually, then it's not leaking anywhere else, just filling the water heater tank.

I'd be taking stuff apart to get at the water heater if it was mine.

PS89 · 01-12-2025, 01:54 PM

Quote:

On a residential water heater, the hot and cold water ports are both at the top

FYI - The cold water "port" might be on top, but it is connected to the "dip tube" which causes cold water to be injected into the bottom of the tank, pushing hot water out of its port on the top.

We now return everyone to their regular mystery.

rgnprof · 01-14-2025, 05:18 PM

The pump does NOT shut off. We forgot about it and left it running and then it shut off at some point, but wouldn't work at all. Checked on pump and it was really hot...after a while it started working again. Must be some sort of thermal switch cut-off in the pump...

As of right now - when I hit the pump switch, pump runs and pumps water. But when I shut off faucets, pump keeps running...and running! I turn the pump off and then have water running for several minutes. Eventually no water until I turn the pump back on...

fottip1 · 01-17-2025, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgnprof

when I hit the pump switch, pump runs and pumps water. But when I shut off faucets, pump keeps running...and running! I turn the pump off and then have water running for several minutes. Eventually no water until I turn the pump back on...

PMJI, but if I faced this issue, I'd replace the pump pressure switch, or, if that's not possible, the whole pump.