Water Pump

[dave_oleary]

We took our 2013 International out for a few days of winter camping in Canada. At a rest stop I turned on the water pump so we could use the toilet. Water started leaking everywhere. I opened the water pump panel and could see water pouring out of the bottom of the pump. I winterized but possibly didn't get all the water out of the pump? I was hoping when we got to our rv spot I could attach the hose to the trailer and that would bypass the pump. I found out it does not. Now we have no water in the trailer. Is there anything I can do as a temp fix while we are here? As it is now we have a gallon of water to use for the toilet and are showering in the community shower. All is not lost but I would love to be able to have water flowing out of my faucets and not on the floor. Thanks for the help.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, disconnect the outlet PEX from your water pump and plug/block it until you can buy a new water pump. Then you can use an outside water source.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by dave_oleary

I was hoping when we got to our rv spot I could attach the hose to the trailer and that would bypass the pump. I found out it does not.

It DOES bypass the pump; you don't need to run the pump when the hose is hooked up to municipal water. HOWEVER, the municipal water provides water pressure to the outlet side of the pump UNLESS there is a check valve on the outlet side of the pump to ensure water only flows one way.

ROBERTSUNRUS has the right of it. With the pump disconnected and the outlet line capped, you can use municipal water until the pump is fixed.

[handn]

Next time you winterize disconnect your new water pump from the previously drained tank and from the inside plumbing and run it for a few seconds until it runs dry.

[TG Twinkie]

If you used the pump to winterize, it should have been full of RV antifreeze. How did you winterize?

[vinstream]

You should be able to simply connect to city water and be fine. All new pumps have check valves already in them so no need for a check valve. The system is designed so that the city water through a pressure valve at point of connection provides the pressure to the entire water system. If your pump is cracked at the fittings then you will have a problem with your system. In that case connect the inlet and outlet of your water pump with a double male 1/2 thread (most common size) and bypass the pump and should work.

[idroba]

Originally Posted by vinstream

You should be able to simply connect to city water and be fine. All new pumps have check valves already in them so no need for a check valve. The system is designed so that the city water through a pressure valve at point of connection provides the pressure to the entire water system. If your pump is cracked at the fittings then you will have a problem with your system. In that case connect the inlet and outlet of your water pump with a double male 1/2 thread (most common size) and bypass the pump and should work.

If you connect the inlet an outlet of the pump to bypass it, and apply city water pressure to the system, you will quickly fill and overflow the water tank.

You must plug the outlet line from the pump.

[dave_oleary]

Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately we were not in an area where any kind of parts store was nearby. I could see how i could have temp fixes it, but lack resources. We kept a water jug handy for the toilet and showered in the community shower. Still fun winter camping. I will take it in for repairs asap so we can continue the fun.

[J. Morgan]

Well if the pump outlet line is indeed PEX, you could bite down on your lip, disconnect the line from the pump, kink the line and tape it kinked.

If it holds water you might be out of a tight spot no hardware needed.

Of course you might have to replace the kinked section later, and I don't know how effective PEX will kink for sure, but if my choice was to try this or have no water in my trailer, I would kink the line and deal with the repercussions later....

Good luck!!

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Well if the pump outlet line is indeed PEX, you could bite down on your lip, disconnect the line from the pump, kink the line and tape it kinked.

If it holds water you might be out of a tight spot no hardware needed.

Of course you might have to replace the kinked section later, and I don't know how effective PEX will kink for sure, but if my choice was to try this or have no water in my trailer, I would kink the line and deal with the repercussions later....

Good luck!!

For small-diameter PEX, jam a golf tee in the end, and clamp it in place with the same clamp used to attach it to the pump.

[J. Morgan]

Well, if it was me I would find something to use with 1/2" pipe threads as a plug, or replace the pump.