Advice and thoughts on an air lock problem please.

[Hirsch]

Hi all,

I think I must have read every article, post and bit of advice on this issue and still cannot remove the air lock. We have just bought our first MH, an Autocruise Gleneagle. The pump ran on a little and was a bit noisy so I decided to change it for a Shurflo. I did this on Tuesday. I have spent most of the rest of this week trying to obtain an even flow of water without the accompanying spluttering. I would say the issue is pretty bad and much much worse than anything experienced in the previous three weeks (lesson learnt!)

I have drained the water heater, first trying the nearest tap and then the one furthest from the pump. I have tried the cold first and then the hot first (or possibly the other way around). I haven't tried ' blasting ' water through the shower hose with a hose pipe.

I have driven down to fill up with diesel. I even tried warming the water (a little).

We are off away for the weekend now so hoping the drive (not too far but hopefully far enough) might shake things up a bit and help solve the problem.

So the point of my request for help.

I will obviously try again when pitched up and will update on the situation.

In the meantime if the experts in water/plumbing air locks, could find a minute to ponder what I haven't tried and suggest it, I would be very grateful.

Thanks in anticipation and as Tony used to say BFN (was it Tony?)

 

[Landy Andy]

Have you got hot and cold water flowing out of every tap?

That includes cold water out of the toilet flush.

 

[Hirsch]

Hot water is spluttering. Cold, less so. Toilet flushes unless hot water is running. This is now. When we arrived I thought we had cracked it but once water was warmed (via heating system as hot water not selected) it has started playing up again.

 

[Geo]

I suspect you have air getting in as fast as its getting out
re check all previous connections that you have separated to fit new pump inc filter housing you may have damaged for cracks
also any connections already on new pump manf made ones included

 

[Landy Andy]

Toilet flushes unless hot water is running

Can you explain that bit please.

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[Landy Andy]

I suspect you have air getting in as fast as its getting out
re check all previous connections that you have separated to fit new pump inc filter housing you may have damaged for cracks
also any connections already on new pump manf made ones included

Does sound like it and I would think air getting in before pump.

 

[Hirsch]

Wife has just tried showering. I have tested again. Hot taps spluttering fiercely, cold nearly running normally. Pump runs on after taps closed . Frustrating

 

[Hirsch]

Earlier when I was running hot water in kitchen wife said toilet would not flush. I turned hot water tap off and asked her to try agsin. Toilet flushed. I am going to try it again now

 

[Eggs]

It does sound like it's pulling in air from the inlet side of the pump.

 

[Hirsch]

When hot tap is opened it certainly restricts the amount of water dispensed when flushing.

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[Hirsch]

If it's pulling air in I guess I need to check the two connections to the new pump I fitted then after that where? Pipe feeding up from tank? No leaks from the new pump connections. I didn't use PTFE tape. Should I have?

 

[JockandRita]

The Shurflo pump does run on for a few seconds after the tap is closed, to pressurise the system again, but any longer than that indicates either a leak, or as suggested above, ie, air being induced.

Good luck finding the cause.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Hirsch]

Also fitted new filter as recommended. So we have inlet feed from tank into filter, filter to pump inlet, pump out to water heater and taps. Just had a thought. I didn't use the shurflo connecters that came with the pump. I used the original compression 90 degree fittings. I guess that might be the cause?

 

[Hirsch]

Thanks Jock. I am ok with a few seconds and I think that is what we have.

 

[Landy Andy]

If you are generally happy in your head with the fittings I would check the filter is all in good sealed order.

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[Emmit]

From personal experience, if air is 'coming in', then water may be 'going out.
And, where that water may be going may be a problem.

 

[Richard n Ann]

used the original compression 90 degree fittings. I guess that might be the cause?

Probably. Put ptfe tape round the inlet olive and on the pump inlet threads if there is no rubber washer. It's sucking air in

Or if they are JG speedfits make sure the pipe is pushed in enough, you'll feel it clunk in

 

[Eggs]

A picture paints a thousand words.

 

[TheBig1]

old pump had a non return valve and the replacement shurflo does not so water draining back to the tank??

 

[Hirsch]

Thanks for replies. They have given me food for thought. I will persevere and update next week when we are back and I have some time to get back on it. In the meantime spluttering water feed.

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[Hirsch]

What is the answer to a pump without a non return valve?

 

[Hirsch]

A picture paints a thousand words.

It does. A picture of what?

 

[Landy Andy]

If it’s needed you can fit an Inline one on the pipe.

 

[Landy Andy]

It does. A picture of what?

Your new pump, and filter I would think.

 

[Richard n Ann]

What is the answer to a pump without a non return valve?

The pressure switch is on the pump so it must have a non return valve incorporated surely I ordered a sureflow pump yesterday for when we get back to replace our Whale one

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[Landy Andy]

I would be cautious with current issues and make sure I turned off the water pump at night and whilst away from the van, until issue was sorted. Just incase there is a weak point.

 

[Hirsch]

Good point. The pipework and fittings look really solid though. From what I can see anyway. And this wasn't such a big issue until I decided to change the pump.

 

[Hirsch]

From personal experience, if air is 'coming in', then water may be 'going out.
And, where that water may be going may be a problem.

Yeah would make sense but I think and hope this is related to me changing the pump. Time will tell of course.

 

[Hirsch]

If you are generally happy in your head with the fittings I would check the filter is all in good sealed order.

In my head the fittings are good. If there was any doubt I would have done it differently. Suppose I might have to come back to them if other avenues are exhausted. Will check filter but I would hope it is ok as it came with the pump. Instructions said hand tighten only which is what I have done. Back to PTFE tape. Should I have used some on connections between fitting and filter, filter and pump? Feel I read somewhere not to.

 

[Hirsch]

Probably. Put ptfe tape round the inlet olive and on the pump inlet threads if there is no rubber washer. It's sucking air in

Or if they are JG speedfits make sure the pipe is pushed in enough, you'll feel it clunk in

Thanks. They aren't speedfit. Plastic compression fittings. I will check for rubber washers. Assumed they would be there but didn't specifically look to check. Might be as simple as that. And that makes me slapdash which I am struggling with .