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05-04-2021, 04:19 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Dixon
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 10
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Pump fails to prime
Dewinrterizing my 2018 FC. Full fresh water tank but cannot fully prime the pump....some water - mostly air. Figured I damaged the pump when I winterized with air pressure. Replaced pump but I have the same problem.
The system seems to be sucking air, but from where. Worked well before winterizing. Ideas please!!
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05-04-2021, 04:22 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Flying Cloud
2020 25' International
minneapolis
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,468
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Did you close the winterizing valve and open summer? The valve handle needs to be parallel with water line from tank to pump.
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- Stewart
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05-04-2021, 05:01 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1994 34' Excella
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,253
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Also check all the fittings and filter between the tank and the inlet side of the pump. Often the gasket on the filter is the problem. Tighten and retighten all the connections, and as s1000pre said, make sure the valve on the winterizing fittings are in line with the suction hose. When you are trying to get water make sure that there is a faucet in the sink open. Yoou cannot suck water from the tank if there are no faucets open.
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
1994 Excella 34'
1987 Limited 34', 1976 31', 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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05-04-2021, 05:38 PM
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#4
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,534
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I'm having the same problem. I think I have a cracked or loose fitting between the fresh tank and the screen in the inlet line... I can pump water out of a bucket and build pressure, but it won't prime from the fresh tank. I haven't worked up to accessing the lines deep under the cabinetry yet... it looks like it heads down to the tank under the fridge in my 26U.
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— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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05-04-2021, 07:00 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Hartsburg
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 465
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Carefully check the twist fittings on the filter and pump to make sure there is a conical washer in each-- they can fall out when winterizing and go unnoticed till you see the kinds of problems you are having now. This happened to me last year-- Frank
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Frank & Fran
2016 27' FC FB with 600 W solar
2016 Ford F150 EcoBoost
Equalizer Hitch
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05-04-2021, 09:03 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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I assume Airstream is still using a strainer before the pump. If so and it is the one with a clear twist off cap, remove the cap and make sure the o-ring that seals the cap is in place and not damaged.
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05-05-2021, 11:10 PM
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#7
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:SPACE A" S/O 11 Air19745
2006 34' Classic S/O
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,766
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If the filter bowl is cracked from freezing it will let the pump suck air. Just replace the filter if that is the case.
guskmg
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05-06-2021, 02:39 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Adding to all the good advice so far . . .
If you can hook up to city water ahead of time, let it run freely from all hot and cold faucets etc., until there is no air left in the system, at all, including the water heater, outdoor shower, sink spray wands, and toilet.
Be sure to open all faucets etc. as the pump tries to get its prime. You don't want any air "resistance" in any lines "pushing back" against the pump.
Good luck,
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05-06-2021, 09:39 AM
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#9
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1 Rivet Member
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Dixon
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 10
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Think I have done everything correctly. But, not sure what valve you are referring to. What specifically is the "winterizing valve"
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05-06-2021, 09:58 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1994 34' Excella
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,253
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The "winterizing" valve is a valve in line before the pump. It "usually" has a piece of clear plastic 1/4" hose that you put in an RV antifreez jug and pump the solution through your lines. It is a quarter turn valve. When pointed in line with the pump to tank suction line it is closed . If it is pointed down towards the main water line, the valve is open and will suck air. Do you have a manual that came with the trailer?
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
1994 Excella 34'
1987 Limited 34', 1976 31', 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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05-09-2021, 09:12 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockeddy
Dewinrterizing my 2018 FC. Full fresh water tank but cannot fully prime the pump....some water - mostly air. Figured I damaged the pump when I winterized with air pressure. Replaced pump but I have the same problem.
The system seems to be sucking air, but from where.
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Good advice already . . . after many years of getting ready for summer, without a hiccup, this morning our pump seemed to be sucking air too . . . so . . . double-checked . . .
Quote:
Originally Posted by CBWELL
Also check all the fittings and filter between the tank and the inlet side of the pump. Often the gasket on the filter is the problem.
. . .
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CRH
I assume Airstream is still using a strainer before the pump. If so and it is the one with a clear twist off cap, remove the cap and make sure the o-ring that seals the cap is in place and not damaged.
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Bingo x2 -- when replacing the clear filter/strainer cap last fall, guess the O-ring slipped out of place, and I did not notice it . . . probably a "haste makes waste" operator error . . . all good now.
PS -- How about you rockeddy?
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05-09-2021, 02:36 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
2016 27' International
North Augusta
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 122
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Pump fails to prime
I couldn’t get my pump to pressurize after pulling the trailer out of storage, either. After checking all the connections for o-rings and proper seals, I was convinced it was the pump. I took off the little screw-on cap of the winterizing valve and pored a tiny bit of water in, turned on the pump, repeated that a couple times and it pressurized, and started pulling water from the tank.
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05-09-2021, 02:58 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2019 30' International
Pennsylvania
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,242
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CBWELL
The "winterizing" valve is a valve in line before the pump. It "usually" has a piece of clear plastic 1/4" hose that you put in an RV antifreez jug and pump the solution through your lines. It is a quarter turn valve. When pointed in line with the pump to tank suction line it is closed . If it is pointed down towards the main water line, the valve is open and will suck air. Do you have a manual that came with the trailer?
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I have a '19 International Serenity. There is no winterizing valve in line before the pump on my unit. To draw antifreeze I remove the input line from the pump and connect the clear tube directly to the pump, other end of the tube goes straight in to the gallon jug of antifreeze.
There is a gasket in the fitting to the input line of the pump. If it's missing that would be a problem for sure. I've almost lost/dropped it before.
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If you ain't havin' fun you ain't doin' it right
2017 Ford CCSB F250 XLT 6.2L Gas 4x4 4:30 rear Leer Topper Ruby Red
2019 International Serenity 30 Rear Twin
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05-10-2021, 03:25 PM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Dixon
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 10
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The problem was the strainer
Replaced the strainer (from Amazon) and that fixed it. My guess is that I somehow damaged the strainer with too much air pressure as I was winterizing last fall.
I have installed the valve for adding antifreeze to the system. Guess I will be using the pink stuff next fall.
Anyhow, THANK YOU ALL for your advice. It certainly was helpful.
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05-10-2021, 03:41 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2019 30' International
Pennsylvania
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,242
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockeddy
Replaced the strainer (from Amazon) and that fixed it. My guess is that I somehow damaged the strainer with too much air pressure as I was winterizing last fall.
I have installed the valve for adding antifreeze to the system. Guess I will be using the pink stuff next fall.
Anyhow, THANK YOU ALL for your advice. It certainly was helpful.
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Excellent! Thanks for coming back in here and giving us the update
__________________
If you ain't havin' fun you ain't doin' it right
2017 Ford CCSB F250 XLT 6.2L Gas 4x4 4:30 rear Leer Topper Ruby Red
2019 International Serenity 30 Rear Twin
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05-10-2021, 04:21 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1994 34' Excella
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,253
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Thank you for letting us know the outcome and positive end to the problem. This always makes it worthwhile to give help and advice. Happy 'streaming!!
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
1994 Excella 34'
1987 Limited 34', 1976 31', 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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05-10-2021, 06:49 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Thanks rockeddy.
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05-10-2021, 08:00 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
McHenry
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,202
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Try a small regulator for your compressor.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rockeddy
Replaced the strainer (from Amazon) and that fixed it. My guess is that I somehow damaged the strainer with too much air pressure as I was winterizing last fall.
I have installed the valve for adding antifreeze to the system. Guess I will be using the pink stuff next fall.
Anyhow, THANK YOU ALL for your advice. It certainly was helpful.
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Rockeddy, glad you figured out the problem and got it working again. I had a similar issue last year and like another poster, dropped the o-ring seal when checking the strainer.
Don’t give up on blowing out the lines - just use a small regulator. I found this one on Amazon and use it with my Viair compressor. More affordable than Viair’s.
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2019 27’ Globetrotter FBT Walnut/Dublin Slate
2018 FC23FB
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Laramie Blue Ox 1000#
WBCCI# 10258
RETIRED!
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05-16-2021, 11:30 AM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
2018 25' International
2018 33' Classic
Ashburn
, VA
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
Adding to all the good advice so far . . .
If you can hook up to city water ahead of time, let it run freely from all hot and cold faucets etc., until there is no air left in the system, at all, including the water heater, outdoor shower, sink spray wands, and toilet.
Be sure to open all faucets etc. as the pump tries to get its prime. You don't want any air "resistance" in any lines "pushing back" against the pump.
Good luck,
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That's exactly what happened to me when I was winterizing. Make sure you have an open faucet.
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05-17-2021, 09:29 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
2016 28' International
Nicholasville
, Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 26
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Loss of prime
Same thing happened to me this spring after blowing out the lines with air last fall. I connected a hose to the upstream side of the pump and poured water into it, legit suck a gallon jug dry, then hooked it back to the line from the freshwater tank and it primed from the tank. Think it has to do with blowing all the water out of the impeller housing. Hope that helps.
Dan
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