Another Exploding Water Thread.... (1 Viewer)

[Andy H]

We have a problem with our new (to us) Moho.

Our water seems to explode out of the taps. It's been happening since we got it, dealer said it was an air lock, we assumed it was as well. it happens on all taps, both hot and cold. However, after several refills and bleeding, doing various combinations of hot/cold, one tap at a time/all together etc, and two weeks away when the problem hasn't righted itself, we are beginning to feel it may not be an air lock.

Firstly, I am certain there is no split in any of the hoses, but there is air visible in the plastic filter attached to the intake. I've run the pump without the filter and it still does it. While it's running there is an audible sound, not sure how to describe it, sort of watery clicking. When I it turn it off, once the hot water tank is filled, it goes quiet, except a very faint hissing in the vicinity of the pump. I've also done the toilet paper test and there appears to be a slight leak from the pump, it's not on either the intake or outlet, but feels to be around the body of the pump where it is screwed together (diaphragm chamber?).

The pump is a Sureflo Trail Blazer 7.

So is the pump knackered or can it be repaired, and is this the cause of our problem or are they two separate issues.

Like to get it sorted as although I don't mind the we T-shirt look on someone young and fit, it looks a bit daft on a podgy middle aged man.

Appreciate any help on this.

Andy

 

[Bill_OR]

I'd be tempted to take it back to the dealer and ask them to fix it.

 

[Boringfrog]

You had the shower head low in the tray and turned on?

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[Shrimp]

Me too, take it back!

 

[CWH]

I'd be tempted to take it back to the dealer and ask them to fix it.

I agree. If they fix it in half a second & you feel a bit of a wally, so what? - it'll be fixed! And if it's something bigger than that, even better to get somebody else to sort it.

 

[Andy H]

I'd be tempted to take it back to the dealer and ask them to fix it.

I'm sure the dealer would fix it, but it's a 500 mile round trip, a tank of fuel and an overnight stop. Was hoping to avoid that if it's an easy fix.

Andy

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[sueandjohn]

if you have a warranty ask the dealer if you can get someone local to diagnose it

 

[Andy H]

You had the shower head low in the tray and turned on?

Yep, shower head hanging out the window.

 

[CWH]

I'm sure the dealer would fix it, but it's a 500 mile round trip, a tank of fuel and an overnight stop. Was hoping to avoid that if it's an easy fix.

Andy

Good excuse for a holiday then! Are they in a nice area?

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[Bart]

You can get a new replacement water pump online pretty cheap online from the bay , even if the pump that you have is ok , its never a bad idea to carry a spare water pump.
Also make sure that the hose connections in the inlet side of the pump are not allowing air to be sucked in when the pump is running.

 

[Bill_OR]

@Andy H - note that I'm also in East Sussex if you want a 2nd opinion as to the cause of the problem

 

[Andy H]

You can get a new replacement water pump online pretty cheap online from the bay , even if the pump that you have is ok , its never a bad idea to carry a spare water pump.
Also make sure that the hose connections in the inlet side of the pump are not allowing air to be sucked in when the pump is running.

I'll double check the inlet hose. I've seen the pumps online, but I would also like to try and confirm that it is actually the problem.

@Andy H - note that I'm also in East Sussex if you want a 2nd opinion as to the cause of the problem

Thank you. I might take you up on that, I'm only about half hour or so from Hastings.

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[Spriddler]

@Andy H
It sounds like an air leak between tank and pump or the pump itself. An air leak (on the 'suction' side) will let air in but won't necessarily let water leak out.
Run it over to Johns Cross at Robertsbridge. Phone first.
Johns Cross can't be far from you and have terrific customer service, excellent workshops/engineers and won't rip you off.
I've no connection, just a very satisfied customer.

http://www.johnscross.co.uk/

 

[Bill_OR]

... and if they tell you at Johns Cross that you do need a new pump then you get a 10% Funster discount if you buy it from them!

 

[TheBig1]

2 possibilities but connected. the pump is sucking air, hence the weep. and the non return valve has stuck allowing the water to run back to the tank

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[DanielFord]

Our taps do this after the system has been drained down, after refilling the tank, the taps will run for a bit, and then do the exploding water thing. Letting them run for a few minutes clears all the air out of the system.
Therefore, I have to concur with @Spriddler , air is entering the system somewhere via a leak (probably very small) allowing the water to run back out of the pipes.

 

[Andy H]

Bingo, I believe I have found the problem.

Today I decided to remove the pump and try it outside the van, in order to either rule it in or rule it out. Whilst removing the pump, I also thought I'd take the connectors off as I'd need them. What I found was that the jubilee clip on the intake had been overtightened to the point where it had crushed the connector, and it was clearly cracked. Prime suspect.

Tested pump outside with a couple of bits of aquarium hose and 12v PSU. It was obvious when I could get a close up look in good light and with transparent hose. A quick trip to Chichester Caravans and a £2.60 pair of replacement connectors and bobs your uncle. No more air. I'll fit it all back in early in the week, and I'll also sticke a new filter on as the old one looks a bit crappy. No leak either, so I'm optimistic that it is problem solved.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Andy

 

[Andy H]

A quick update.

Fitted pump back in the van this afternoon. The good news was that we no longer have exploding water. The bad news was that with a full flow of water through the pump the leak was obvious. Rather than just buy a new one or take on a 500 mile round trip to the dealers, I decided to have a go at fixing it.

So, stripped the pump down, gave all the pumping bits a clean (there was a bit of a film covering a lot of the surfaces. Dried it all thoroughly, reassembled pump, making sure not to get any water in the solenoid end of things and applied a smear of sealant round the edge of the diaphragm.

Run the pump in the kitchen as before, no leak, so I crimped the end of the hose to pressurise the outlet side. No leak. Re-fitted pump and run the taps. No leak and no exploding water.

Bit chuffed, fixing it myself is a very satisfying feeling. Plus, together with a couple of other teething problems, it has given me a real insight into how my van stuff works, where all the pipes and cables run and hopefully how to fix stuff in the future.

Andy

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[davejen]

Well done, it's a great feeling when it all comes together!!
Cheers, Dave

 

[GWAYGWAY]

Exploding water? That is water fill point not petrol one,you know






It sound like the pressure vessel is empty and giving no damping. Or in a domestic system it is.