Frozen water pump and toilet valve....

[RxGuy]

Hello all,

Normally I do the winterizing myself. The was trailer in for service and due to time constraints, I paid the service center to do it. Or should I say, paid them to not do it.

The pump housing is cracked, the strainer basket busted and the toilet valve was a victim as well. I discovered all of this Saturday after getting the trailer out of storage.

I am contacting the service center today to see if they will do the right thing.

I just want to make sure I'm not missing something that might have been damaged by freezing.

I'm thinking that after replacing the pump and toilet valve, and pressure testing, if it checks out, I should be good to go....

Anything else I should be checking?

Thanks in advance,

Blair

[xrvr]

By service center do you mean the factory center or a dealer? Hope you get it fixed..

[nvestysly]

That certainly is aggravating. Hopefully they'll do the right thing.

After replacing those components be sure to fill the fresh water tank (sounds like you've done that), turn on the pump and make sure it holds pressure for a reasonable amount of time. If the pump cycles periodically, even if you don't see water leaks, it might mean there are other fittings cracked.

If the pump cycles and you think there might be leaks I guess you'd eventually see drips of water from the belly pan.

Hopefully you're on the road soon without much more delay and aggravation.

[RxGuy]

Originally Posted by xrvr

By service center do you mean the factory center or a dealer? Hope you get it fixed..

Jackson Center. I called this morning and left a message. From what I have seen and heard about JC, and the service, they are usually very good. The other work we had done there at the time was great. I'm thinking that this is a "stuff happens" moment. I'm hoping they make it right.

I have already installed a new pump, going to get a toilet valve today.

Thanks...

[RxGuy]

Originally Posted by nvestysly

That certainly is aggravating. Hopefully they'll do the right thing.

After replacing those components be sure to fill the fresh water tank (sounds like you've done that), turn on the pump and make sure it holds pressure for a reasonable amount of time. If the pump cycles periodically, even if you don't see water leaks, it might mean there are other fittings cracked.

If the pump cycles and you think there might be leaks I guess you'd eventually see drips of water from the belly pan.

Hopefully you're on the road soon without much more delay and aggravation.

The other fittings cracked is what scares me....

Thanks for the quick reply.

[DBinSD]

Check that hot water tank !

[M. Smith]

Faucets may also have cracked cartridges, which will cause constant drips when under pressure. Good luck.

[jcanavera]

Blair, just curious since it was JC who did the job, did they use antifreeze? I know my dealer doesn't but he uses high pressure and opens all valves in the trailer while the pressure is being applied. He continues to apply that pressure for 30 minutes and guarantee's that the lines are dry. I know he props the toilet open during that half hour blow out.

For those who use air only, I have always wondered though how they addressed the pump since i don't understand the inner workings of the pump and how air pressure in the city water hookup can get all the water out of the pump assembly. The filter for sure has to be removed and emptied since city water never connects through it. And I would think some air has to be blown through that side of the pump assembly to remove any residual there.

Jack

[guskmg]

Besides the above items, be sure and check the city water inlet. If it has frozen, it will have some tell tale water drips below its location.
guskmg

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by RxGuy

Jackson Center. I called this morning and left a message. From what I have seen and heard about JC, and the service, they are usually very good. The other work we had done there at the time was great. I'm thinking that this is a "stuff happens" moment. I'm hoping they make it right.



I have already installed a new pump, going to get a toilet valve today.



Thanks...

Sorry to hear. Their service is usually top notch in my experience. Was there any pink AF to be found either in the pump, toilet valve, or any leaks coming through the belly pan? Did you check your water heater? Was the drain plug pulled?

Ugh. Sounds like a mess. Good luck!!

[xrvr]

Did anyone use the toilet and sink afyer it was winterized? Hope you get everything fixed.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

Blair, just curious since it was JC who did the job, did they use antifreeze? I know my dealer doesn't but he uses high pressure and opens all valves in the trailer while the pressure is being applied. He continues to apply that pressure for 30 minutes and guarantee's that the lines are dry. I know he props the toilet open during that half hour blow out.

For those who use air only, I have always wondered though how they addressed the pump since i don't understand the inner workings of the pump and how air pressure in the city water hookup can get all the water out of the pump assembly. The filter for sure has to be removed and emptied since city water never connects through it. And I would think some air has to be blown through that side of the pump assembly to remove any residual there.

Jack

Jack,

I also blow the lines for 30min at a constant 35psi....open longest first and rotate down to the short. I switch the pump on/off while blowing, not sure it does much but it's never frozen.

Also made a fitting for the hot water tank.

Bob

[RxGuy]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

Blair, just curious since it was JC who did the job, did they use antifreeze? I know my dealer doesn't but he uses high pressure and opens all valves in the trailer while the pressure is being applied. He continues to apply that pressure for 30 minutes and guarantee's that the lines are dry. I know he props the toilet open during that half hour blow out.

For those who use air only, I have always wondered though how they addressed the pump since i don't understand the inner workings of the pump and how air pressure in the city water hookup can get all the water out of the pump assembly. The filter for sure has to be removed and emptied since city water never connects through it. And I would think some air has to be blown through that side of the pump assembly to remove any residual there.

Jack

Jack,

They only blew out the lines, no antifreeze in the pump/strainer or in the toilet valve. There was antifreeze in the drain traps.

If you have air pressure to the city water side of the system, there is no way for it to purge the pump of water. The pump assembly prevents back flow through the pump. If it didn't prevent the back flow, when you connected to city water, the water would flow backwards through the pump into the freshwater tank...that doesn't happen, so no air is going to get through.

According to the Airstream manual, drain the water tank, remove outlet hose from the water pump, then disconnect the the water pump inlet connection and turn on the pump until all water is expelled.

Originally Posted by guskmg

Besides the above items, be sure and check the city water inlet. If it has frozen, it will have some tell tale water drips below its location.
guskmg

Thanks guskmg...

Originally Posted by xrvr

Did anyone use the toilet and sink afyer it was winterized? Hope you get everything fixed.

xrvr

No, it was taken directly to storage after picking it up.

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Sorry to hear. Their service is usually top notch in my experience. Was there any pink AF to be found either in the pump, toilet valve, or any leaks coming through the belly pan? Did you check your water heater? Was the drain plug pulled?

Ugh. Sounds like a mess. Good luck!!

SteveSueMac,

I agree about the service usually being top tier, not sure what happened this time. Probably the "Blair" effect.

The drain plug on the water heater was not pulled, but the heater seems to be intact. I have had the system under air pressure for several hours now and have not noticed a drop in pressure. Which is very good news.


I did receive good news from the Airstream Service Department, they will cover my cost on the pump and toilet valve, and refund the charge for the winterization. Brad Herring at Airstream was really great.

I mentioned getting reimbursed the Airstream Service Departments' going rate/hr for my labor...

Hey, it was worth a try.....

[RxGuy]

Thanks everyone...

[Wayne&Sam]

RXguy- I always blow out the lines AND drain the pump. I also make sure to blow out the toilet valve the outside shower and the kitchen sink sprayer. Many years, no problems. It’s easy.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by RxGuy

...snip...

Brad Herring at Airstream was really great.

Indeed! Brad was my service lead for my last 2 visits there. I had an emergency exit door installed on my 27FB (there's a thread here somewhere) and despite a long water test at the factory, in real world circumstances on the road a few weeks later in a torrential downpour, we learned the door leaked. I emailed Brad. He was bummed out. He told me they'd repair it as a warranty item - even thou it would be a year and a half before I could get back there. They repaired it perfectly. He told me I should get exactly what I paid for and he wanted to be sure I was happy. He meant it. Really good guy. Glad you're getting good resolution!

[JCWDCW]

Water pump can be purged by disconnecting the inlet fitting and running it to pull air to flush out the water. Disconnecting the inlet hose also lets the line and filter drain back onto the tank.
I have a 3 way valve on my pump inlet and I just open the by pass to run air through the pump if I have used air to blow the lines. Never have had any trouble with the suction line from the the tank despite not draining it
JCW

[Theweisrider]

We are a one year owner of this 2016 Interstate EXT. This is our first post. We wish it was under different circumstances. The collective knowledge of this formidable forum is greatly appreciated as we want to avoid situations like this in the future.

After three months in warm Southern CA we headed home and stopped in Gunnison, CO to see our children. We knew from the weather forecast to expect sub freezing temperatures and winterized by adding RV grade (pink) anti freeze to both Grey and Black tanks and drains. They appear to be fine.

We had electric hookups and kept tank heaters on throughout the time where sub freeze conditions persisted.

Upon getting home we had no water pressure to sink or toilet and headed in for diagnostic at Airstream NW. The diagnosis was a frozen water pump and frozen exterior shower. Both have been replaced..Ouch$$.

Apparently, the mistake was not properly blowing the fresh water lines and pump clear. Advice On this procedure is appreciated.

Our question: Is there a recommended air compressor that is small and can be carried as part of "essential gear" when traveling in cold weather zones? Any other advice on winterizing while in transit is greatly appreciated.

The Weisrider's