Air lock

[DoreenJ]

Hello all, any ideas of how to sort an air lock in the water system please? Also since finding this the pump runs constantly.
Thanks

 

[Speve]

You say an air lock? Are you sure that the boiler dump valve is closed as water must be running somewhere for the pump to be running and that may be causing the problemtake a look under the van to see if water is running out somewhere

 

[DoreenJ]

No, I am told there's only a drip underneath, not enough to run the pump. None of the valves have been touched

 

[Lenny HB]

Assuming it's a pressure switched pump like a Shureflo.
Close all the taps, make sure there is water in the tank. Then open the tap nearest the pump just a fraction it can take 5 or 10min to bleed the air out. Once you get a dribble of water coming out repeat on other taps.

 

[DoreenJ]

Assuming it's a pressure switched pump like a Shureflo.
Close all the taps, make sure there is water in the tank. Then open the tap nearest the pump just a fraction it can take 5 or 10min to bleed the air out. Once you get a dribble of water coming out repeat on other taps.

We're trying that, thanks

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[DoreenJ]

So we tried what Lenny said, left the tap for a good 15 mins, still the same. Turned the tap off but the pump is still running.

 

[monzer]

Does it sound at all like the water is trying to get through. Taps should gurgle and splutter a bit and make a bit of noise if it is trying to put water through.

 

[DoreenJ]

Does it sound at all like the water is trying to get through. Taps should gurgle and splutter a bit and make a bit of noise if it is trying to put water through.

Oh yes it does and it won't clear

 

[DoreenJ]

Ok new question, how do we bleed the water heater tank please?

 

[Lenny HB]

Are you saying water is flowing? If that is the case it may just need the pressure switch adjusting

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[DoreenJ]

Are you saying water is flowing? If that is the case it may just need the pressure switch adjusting

This is new to us, no idea how/where to adjust pressure switch

 

[monzer]

Oh yes it does and it won't clear

I would stick with that. Sometime I need to really play around with it. Hot to cold, off and on...cover the tap head with my hand so it builds up pressure then release etc.

At least we know the pump is trying to send water through.

Gotta ask...definitely got water in your tank?

 

[Lenny HB]

This is new to us, no idea how/where to adjust pressure switch

What pump is it?

 

[DoreenJ]

I would stick with that. Sometime I need to really play around with it. Hot to cold, off and on...cover the tap head with my hand so it builds up pressure then release etc.

At least we know the pump is trying to send water through.

Gotta ask...definitely got water in your tank?

Yes!

 

[DoreenJ]

What pump is it?

Shureflo

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[Lenny HB]

Phillips screw on the end of the pump, to set you should turn a tap partly open so just a small flow and adjust the screw until the pump cycle off time is more than 2 sec.
if it's running all the time regardless off any adjustment it's got to be an air leak. Leaks can be so small they allow air in but no water comes out.
A good starting point is the pump check the screws are tight that hold the pump onto the motor and check around the pump for leaks.
Next step if no luck take the pump off the motor and grease the mating surfaces of the two halves of the pump with food grade silicone grease, when reassembling use a removable thread lock on the screws that hold it to the motor.

 

[Speve]

Another thing to check on the pump is the plastic bowl they can crack and it’s very hard to see we had to replace that on out Tracker

 

[DoreenJ]

Phillips screw on the end of the pump, to set you should turn a tap partly open so just a small flow and adjust the screw until the pump cycle off time is more than 2 sec.
if it's running all the time regardless off any adjustment it's got to be an air leak. Leaks can be so small they allow air in but no water comes out.
A good starting point is the pump check the screws are tight that hold the pump onto the motor and check around the pump for leaks.
Next step if no luck take the pump off the motor and grease the mating surfaces of the two halves of the pump with food grade silicone grease, when reassembling use a removable thread lock on the screws that hold it to the motor.

Adjusting the screw made no difference. We have an appointment at Batteries and Solar in Plymouth tomorrow, I think we'll let them sort it
We're note experienced enough yet BUT a mega thanks to everyone who came up with suggestions.
I'll update this after tomorrow- if I understand the solution j

 

[DoreenJ]

*not experienced

 

[DoreenJ]

Update!
So the guys at Batteries and Solar fitted a new pump. The water pressure is amazing now!
We had also wanted a new fridge/freezer which we ordered yesterday. But it now seems the manufacturer can't deliver until March!
So we have moved onto Bridgwater, maybe we'll find another motorhome spares/repairs place who can sort the fridge a bit quicker.
Thank you all for your help.

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[DoreenJ]

Another update

Apparently there is still a problem. It seems the fitter who installed the new pump suspected there was another problem. But he didn't actually tell us that, so we didn't make another appointment for further investigation.

After a long series of emails between me and the boss down at Batteries and Solar, they have finally agreed there is something wrong.

Of course, they can't really diagnose the problem remotely: they are in Plymouth and we are in Bridgwater.

The only answer is for us to have another independent motorhome repair guy look at the pump and then tell Batteries and Solar what is going on.

BUT, it's Christmas week and we can't find anyone who can help until after New Year

Meantime, we have a pump that comes on randomly whether a tap is running or not, but often when we do run a tap the pump doesn't come on at all. The pump is red hot, the pipework running from it is cold.

All we need now is another lockdown, the camp we are on might close the shower block - which we kinda really need under the circumstances. Or worse still, close altogether. Happy days.

 

[cyberyacht]

Sounds like your pump is sticking if it's hot.

 

[dunnah01]

Is the glass bowl filter before the pump nearly full of water? If not there may be a leak or blockage on the pipe from the tank to the pump filter.