Aquajet pump losing prime

[deauxrite]

I have an aquajet 55/AES in my Safari. It suddenly stopped working the other day. In troubleshooting it I discover that there is 12 volts to the pump with the switch on..then discover that if I pressure up the fresh water system from the city water side, then turn city water off, the pump will work one time. Once the pump is turned off or the water fauct closed, the pump will not restart until the system is re-pressured from the city water side.

Ideas?

[TG Twinkie]

Sounds like the pump is sucking air. Is there water in the fresh water tank? Check the condition of the hose and the connections to the intake of the pump. Also check the inline filter between the tank and pump.

[deauxrite]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Sounds like the pump is sucking air. Is there water in the fresh water tank? Check the condition of the hose and the connections to the intake of the pump. Also check the inline filter between the tank and pump.

No, the pump will not operate at all unless it is "primed" by hooking up city water and allowing the entire system to pressurize that way. Then the pump will operate normally one time and one time only. Once the water is turned off at any of the internal faucets or if the pump is turned off..the pump will not come back on until it is "primed" again as above.

Any ideas..anyone?

[Alumaholic]

First of all, being hooked up to city water does not "prime" the 12-volt water pump.
In fact there is a one-way, check valve in the pump to keep this from happening.
Please answer the TGTwinkle question, "is there water in your fresh-water holding tank?"
If there is, please check for a cracked line or loose connection between the pump and the tank.
When you say it works "once" what do you mean?

[TG Twinkie]

Are you saying the pump won't run? Or won't pump water? Or both?
This is a stretch but maybe the inlet and outlet are connected backwards and it's pumping water into the FW tank when the city water is connected.

[deauxrite]

There is water in the tank..it is full. The pump runs and pumps water one time after city water is connected. The pump will run and pump water as long as you like..but once the pump is turned off or the faucet turned off, that is it. Then the pump will not run again until city water is reconnected and used. The connections have not been moved. This thing has worked fine until last weekend.

[mojo]

May be the check valve at the city water inlet has gone bad and is sucking air. I just had to replace mine because it was leaking when the pump was on, but not when the water hose was connected.

[Alumaholic]

Originally Posted by mojo

May be the check valve at the city water inlet has gone bad and is sucking air. I just had to replace mine because it was leaking when the pump was on, but not when the water hose was connected.

... and one that I hadn't thought of.
Which reminded me, your 2007 Airstream has a check-valve bypass valve.
If that is open, your pump will be unable to pressurize the system.
That would exactly explain your symptoms.

[Bob Thompson]

I had a similar problem with mine. Turns out, some of the pump parts tend to wear out or deteriorate with age and get to a point they won't hold a prime or self prime. Given your trailer is 5 going on 6 years old, maybe it's time to rebuild or replace the pump.

[deauxrite]

Originally Posted by Alumaholic

... and one that I hadn't thought of.
Which reminded me, your 2007 Airstream has a check-valve bypass valve.
If that is open, your pump will be unable to pressurize the system.
That would exactly explain your symptoms.

Ok..that makes sense to me..where and what might that thing look like?

[deauxrite]

Originally Posted by Bob Thompson

I had a similar problem with mine. Turns out, some of the pump parts tend to wear out or deteriorate with age and get to a point they won't hold a prime or self prime. Given your trailer is 5 going on 6 years old, maybe it's time to rebuild or replace the pump.

That is where I am headed. I really want to exhaust my possibilities first though. There are many experts here on the forums and if it is something simple...well, I like simple. BTW. I notice that you live in my home town! I have not lived there since i left for the Army many moons ago, but we still like to return and camp at NAS every couple of years..especially if I can catch the Reds running

[mojo]

In the back of the closet there is a half wall in the back. If you remove those boards you will find the backside of the city water inlet and the valve. If you disconnect and plug the water line, you can test to see if your pump will hold prime. If that is the problem then replace the inlet, it's about $55.

[deauxrite]

Originally Posted by mojo

In the back of the closet there is a half wall in the back. If you remove those boards you will find the backside of the city water inlet and the valve. If you disconnect and plug the water line, you can test to see if your pump will hold prime. If that is the problem then replace the inlet, it's about $55.

OK, thanks for that. I will check it in the morning and report back. My current plan is to replace the pump if the checkvalve is not defective.

[deauxrite]

I talked to the Airstream mechanic at Bayer RV in Dublin, TX today. ray is a very sharp guy and has always treated me right on my trailer..so I ordered a pump and a new city water inlet today. I need to get this resolved pretty quickly and he thinks that the pump will do it..thevfresh water inlet has been an issue in thepast and ordering a new one is my idea of insurance to resolve this issue promptly. I will post when I install the pump.

[deauxrite]

Ok. Finally resolved. I replaced the pump with a similar unit. Simple to wir in the new pump, bolt it down and hook up the water lines. Total time about an hour and a half. Filled the fresh water tank and fired it up. Works like a charm. I will dissasemble the old pump tomorrow to see if it is repairable.