Turn Water Pump On Leaks Underneath

[Abba]

Hi All. I don't know what is going on but will explain as best I can.

Getting my 2013 ready. This past year was the first time I've winterized. I thought I did it right but something is up with the water pump.

When I turn the water pump on, water leaks underneath the rear, both sides.....leaks underneath the driver side somewhere in the middle. I noticed too when I opened the rear cargo door, there's water dripping all the way to the left into what looks like a white metal tray. There's water coming in under the galley....leaking in from the left towards that orange foamy stuff. I found the photo in another thread....Thank you Boxster1971.

You know what? Water comes out the drivers side too where that silver strip is on the side.

I'm hoping it's a simple fix....maybe I didn't turn something on or off?.....missed a step? I spent hours out there yesterday trying to figure it out and almost dropped kicked the rig into the woods. Ok, I couldn't do that but wanted to.

Also, if anyone replies. Please describe your thoughts as if you were telling it to a 6 year old.

[Boxster1971]

Many possible issues. Just a few off the top of my head:
1) are all the drain valves closed?
2) is the line from water pump disconnected?
3) is the water pump cracked from freezing if it wasn't properly winterized?
4) is it leaking from the outside shower assembly due to freezing damage?

Getting everything properly winterized can be tricky. One winter I missed protecting/draining the toilet flush valve and in the Spring it leaked because it was cracked from freezing. Many of the plastic parts in the water system are susceptible to freeze damage.

You need to isolate the source of the leak as best you can. If you can't you might have to get an RV technician to help you.

Good luck,
- - Mike

[Daquenzer]

I had a problem yesterday with my pump leaking. This is what I found:
1). Put it on city water first and make sure all the air is out of the system by turning on all faucets. If it doesn’t leak while on city water then the leak is most likely coming from the water pump and not from some other connection.
2). Then make sure all your connections on water pump are very tight and not leaking. I had a leak on my water pump and I just had to tighten the fittings tighter than I thought.

By the way do you have the water so that it can get into the hot water heater. Make sure the shut off is set properly so water can get into the hot water heater.

3). If your water pump isn’t shutting off automatically then somewhere a fitting isn’t tight enough and I would start at the fittings on each of the connectors and tighten them.

And yes make sure your outside shower is off. I forgot about that as well.

Good luck. Know how you feel. Nothing worse than plumbing problems.

[Pahaska]

The outside shower is often missed when winterizing. It is the rectangular object in the photo with both red and white PEX pipes going into it. My outside shower was cracked when I bought the rig 15 months ago. I didn't catch it until the first rally I attended a month later. The dealer replaced the outside shower for me.

[Abba]

This might sound like a stupid question but here goes.

Where is the water pump?

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Abba

This might sound like a stupid question but here goes.

Where is the water pump?

There are no stupid questions. The water pump is under the lower drawer in the galley cabinet. It is the white triangular object in the foreground of my photo in your first post.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Abba

This might sound like a stupid question but here goes.

Where is the water pump?

Have you checked your owner’s manual?

[AlexP]

Hello Abba,

Sounds like the low point drain valves are open. There is a set on passenger side in front of the bed/seat and on drivers side middle (not far from water pump, have to take out the lowest galley drawer).
Good luck, hopefully it’s that easy of a solution.

[Abba]

Aha! I thought it was but I don't trust myself. Thank you!

[Abba]

I'm going to take some photos.....I'll be back!

[Abba]

Hopefully these photos below might help you help me. To be honest, reading some of the posts in other threads about plumbing sounds like Chinese....remember when you first started learning Computer Lingo? That's me right now. Ya'll in the know sound like you are using a secret coded language in a club I would like to join!

Ok....I'll try posting the photos

[Abba]

Left is the pump....look ok?

The right is of the valves (?) under the cup holders in the rear

[Abba]

Might be a better photo

[Abba]

Oh pooh....this one is sideways.

The yellow valve....should it be set like that?....do I turn it?

[Abba]

This is the outdoor shower...right? Never have used it....as you can most likely tell.

I can take more photos.

[Daquenzer]

Have you tried running everything on city water? Does it still leak when on city water?

[AlexP]

Abba,
Helpful pics.
The valves are closed (perpendicular to the lines). There is a strainer screen in front of pump (blue tab), try to take out and clean if clogged up.
Also plastic pex (water line) fittings are brittle, if they cracked I would replace with brass ones (hardware store).
Try to retighten all screw on connections.

Maybe you can turn on the pump and watch where the leaks are.
Good luck.

[Aircruiser]

This is what was leaking on our 2012. These are slip-on connectors that connect the hot and cold water to the outdoor shower. They are a plastic version of a Sharkbite fitting. The seal that slips over the pipe stopped sealing. These are new replacements. I suspected something was up when, if left on, the pump started running for a couple seconds two or three times an hour. Pulled the drawer out to see if pump was leaking and noticed one of these two fittings was dripping. Easy fix. On our Interstate Lounge the fittings are located right above the pump and connect to the outdoor shower hot and cold.

[Abba]

Daquenzer
"Have you tried running everything on city water? Does it still leak when on city water?"
_______________________

I did the city water as you suggested and it leaked like crazy. I'm going to add some more photos and hopefully a video. Wish me luck!

Oh....I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's response. I realize not only did you all take the time to read my posts but to reply on top of it....well, it feels good.

[Abba]

While running water through the city water line....the encore leaking performance began. Will add the photos and hopefully a video too.

I filled up the water tanks again and of course and if I turn the water pump on the leaking follows. So! Unless I can figure it out and repair it myself, we'll just have to use bottle water in the kitchen sink. When we need to flush, we'll turn on the water pump briefly...enough to get rid of whatever needs ridding.

This will be good enough to get us across the country and closer to a place that can repair....more places out west than there are here in the east.

If the video shows up....in the 'currently processing' as I type....both are the same....didn't mean to add the same twice but did.

Ok....neither worked and can't figure out how to delete. I'll post photos instead.