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DebnJon · 06-22-2019, 07:27 AM

We are in the middle of a northern Ontario park and we cannot get our water to work, all we get is a LOT of air from the faucets, a few spitting, dribbles of water and not much of anything to the toilet. The pump is making a huge amount of noise, when turned on. We have previously owned a 2008 AS so not complete rookies and my husband is an all around fix it kind of guy We will be talking it into Can Am for its deficiencies but would love to use the water on this trip. Your ideas appreciated.

doncima · 06-22-2019, 07:32 AM

I’m not familiar with the Airstream, but have seen often that the winterizing by-pass valve had not been reset when winterizing was complete.
Something to check. Good luck.

turk123 · 06-22-2019, 07:35 AM

Sounds like you have air in the line. Are you hooked to a campground water supply? If so, turn that off and try opening all the faucets and then turn on the water pump.

You can try this also if not hooked to a water supply. Shut pump off, turn on all faucets, turn on pump.

Do you have water in the fresh water tank? Just asking!

LAWBC · 06-22-2019, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turk123

Sounds like you have air in the line. Are you hooked to a campground water supply? If so, turn that off and try opening all the faucets and then turn on the water pump.

You can try this also if not hooked to a water supply. Shut pump off, turn on all faucets, turn on pump.

Do you have water in the fresh water tank? Just asking!

You have air in the line which is before the pump. It needs to prime or capture water before it works .
Keeping the cold side of a faucets in the bath and kitchen wide open while running the pump should drive air out also try closing and opening alternating those faucets,which creates a bit o back pressure. I have found that works for me.

DebnJon · 06-22-2019, 11:30 AM

We are not connected to any campground water supply. We tried opening the faucets in bathroom and kitchen, as well, we tried alternating the opening and closing as was suggested but no water, just fizzle. There is no water in the screen on the pump. Tank is full. How does one prime? We understand the concept of priming a pump from using an old fashion well pump, but how do we do it in the AS? AND where is the by pass valve?

Acheron2010 · 06-22-2019, 11:42 AM

Make sure the strainer is not leaking air. Are you sure you have water in the tank, and it was not inadvertently drained while traveling to your destination? Outside shower off?

ZOZ · 06-22-2019, 11:44 AM

Add the Camco winterization by-pass kit to the pump next opportunity. We keep a gallon of RV antifreeze handy and use it to prime the pump directly.

Camco 36543 Pump Converter Winterizing Kit TRV874795

zoz

CRH · 06-22-2019, 02:46 PM

Take the cap off the strainer and pour a cup of water in it to prime the pump.

LAWBC · 06-22-2019, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acheron2010

Make sure the strainer is not leaking air. Are you sure you have water in the tank, and it was not inadvertently drained while traveling to your destination? Outside shower off?

Something to consider , Do you have adequate water in your holding tank???

I'm thinking if it is not a air leak from the line but maybe you are pulling air from your fresh water holding tank. ????

kpm · 06-22-2019, 04:01 PM

As others have said, it sounds like an air leak in the plumbing preceding the pump. This kind of leak can be difficult to diagnose and fix. If possible, connect a tube directly to the water pump and try to draw water directly from a bucket. If the pump works at that point, work backwards

to the tank.

DebnJon · 06-23-2019, 06:40 AM

Ran out of time yesterday, we will try to implement the ideas you have provided, which are greatly appreciated. I will let you know the result afterwards.

DebnJon · 06-23-2019, 04:17 PM

So the pump is working, as we were able to get water out of a bucket but no success getting water to faucets or toilet, I guess its a trip to the dealer when we get home. Water gauge reads 75 but perhaps this is incorrect. Such a shame on a new trailer to have to do things the 'old fashion' way ....Thanks for all the suggestions!

CRH · 06-23-2019, 08:38 PM

Is water draining out of a low point drain?

DebnJon · 06-24-2019, 07:06 AM

No we had checked that, no water leakage coming from drains.

CRH · 06-24-2019, 08:27 AM

Is the water heater full?

DebnJon · 06-25-2019, 07:01 AM

Yes, the heater is full, we also checked the relief valve on the heater. We now have an appointment next Thursday at Can Am, so until then jugs of water will have to suffice for another week until we are out of the woods.

CRH · 06-25-2019, 09:35 AM

When you pumped water from the bucket, did the system pressurize and the pump cut off?

DebnJon · 06-26-2019, 01:03 PM

No the pump did not cycle off and over the last few days we have filled up the fresh water tank by using large jugs, so that instead of reading 81 it was up into high 90's. We checked to ensure the water heater was also full and we took the water heater off the system, to check if it was a cause. By the way the water heater previously worked on electric but not gas (another story). Now we can at least get some water into the toilet, very low pressure elsewhere and in the shower there is no water coming out. We occasionally are turning pump on it has huge rumbling pump noises and have to turn button off, as it will not do so on its own. Starting to lose track of al the different permutations we have tried.

lsbrodsky · 06-26-2019, 02:11 PM

Just to add to the confusion, when I had a similar problem the pump inlet strainer was cracked...hard to see. But, sucking air when the pump came on meant just a little bit of water at low pressure.
Larry

kpm · 06-26-2019, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebnJon

No the pump did not cycle off and over the last few days we have filled up the fresh water tank by using large jugs, so that instead of reading 81 it was up into high 90's. We checked to ensure the water heater was also full and we took the water heater off the system, to check if it was a cause. By the way the water heater previously worked on electric but not gas (another story). Now we can at least get some water into the toilet, very low pressure elsewhere and in the shower there is no water coming out. We occasionally are turning pump on it has huge rumbling pump noises and have to turn button off, as it will not do so on its own. Starting to lose track of al the different permutations we have tried.

I think the lack of water pressure is the primary problem. The "huge rumbling sound" is not an uncommon complaint even in trailers with fully functioning water pumps. The noise is likely a vibrating pipe (often in the shower), usually fixed by damping it with foam or by securing it with zip ties to keep it from vibrating.