erratic Water pump

[kontiki]

I have a 77 Argosy. The water pump seems to come on and off when there is no demand for water. I have checked for leaks and can find none. The pump is an Shurflo model 2088-403-444 and has a mfg date of 12/98. Is there a check valve in the system or are there any adjustments on the pump? Appreciate any and all suggestions.
Jim

[commander31]

Hmmm..not exactly sure about what a "Shur-Flo" looks like....I have the older style "PAR-Jabsco" dual reservoir water pump on my 69 Airstream.

I know they usually always have a "pressure switch" that kicks the pump on demand when pressure drops...e.g. when you open the spigot.

Thes pumps will cycle anywhere from every few seconds, to every ten minutes, if there is some kind of a compromise in the seal in the water system. Basically, i would start at the pump, and water tank, and trace back every single inch of pipe, all the way to the back of the trailer, esp around the city water regulator, and the hot water heater.

If you have even the tiniest leak in the system somewhere, it will cause a pressure drop enough to kick on the water pump momentarily.

Grab you a flashlight, some patience, and a tall coolie and start to tracing.... My money says you gotta miniscule leak somewhere behind a cabinet, or in the back of the trailer.

Keep us informed on the progress....(or the lack thereof.... )

Scott Anderson
Grosse Ile, MI

[TomW]

Disconnect the line from the water pump, and cap the water pump. Turn the power on to the water pump.

If it cycles on & off many times after the initial surge, the problem is with the water pump.

If it does not, there is a leak downstream. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to find the leak. Good luck, Jim, and remember if you or anyone on ...

Tom

[Chuck]

there's a check-valve in the line near the city water inlet that can wear out...slowly. I first noticed on mine, a small drip coming from the city water inlet when the pump was on...the pump would cycle every few minutes. Since the check valve is really hard to access, I just tried to get by with a 5/8ths threaded plug in the inlet. that kind of works, but it doesn't really make a good seal. as the valve continued to deteriorate, the problem got worse...I finally decided that I had to get a replacement and just "deal" with figuring out a way to access the faulty valve. bought a replacement...still was unable to access the valve, so I just took off the inlet, and screwed the valve in there. so it sticks out a little farther than original....but it works like a charm, and I haven't heard the pump cycle on when it shouldn't since. see my photo gallery for pictures.

only minor issue is that I had to remove it to winterize, as it does trap a little bit of water in the pipe.

[Thealt]

If you cannot easily find a leak you can see if the water level is dropping in the tank. Just mark the current level with some masking tape and wait a little while to see if the level drops
I have a shurflo in my 67 safari. The installation instructions say that 'restrictions in a plumbing system may cause the pump to rapid cycle during low flow demands... if the pump is cycling you can increase the flow rate. See the manual for the complete steps.
Alt

[davida]

Thealt: where do you "see" the water level in the tank? Do you have an analog tank level meter that works? Our 79 Sovereign has a quaint 5-led setup, but it always reads empty. =(

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by davida

Thealt: where do you "see" the water level in the tank? Do you have an analog tank level meter that works? Our 79 Sovereign has a quaint 5-led setup, but it always reads empty. =(

Most '70's vintage Argosy trailers, and mid 60's vintage Airstreams, had above floor plastic water tanks that you could see the water level through. Yours has the tank under the floor, so you would not be able to use this advice.