How to make sure my water pump lasts as long as possible?

SmithsInFrance

SmithsInFrance

Joined
Sep 2, 2016
Posts
601
Likes collected
1,222
Location
France
Funster No
44,921
MH
Burstner
Exp
Since 2015
We had to have a new water pump last week, the old one was only 5 years old. The dealer said that's probably pretty fair for a water pump, they get clogged with calcium from the water and stop working. He suggested using a product in the tank - or bottled water! (well, we are in France...).

Does 5 years for a pump seem reasonable to you? What can we do to extend the life of the new one? Should we fully drain down the tank or fully fill it every time we put the MH away after use? Thanks in advance :)
 
once a year run white vinegar or citric acid crystals diluted through the water system to descale. If the pump is furred up so will the water heater
 
TheBig1 said:
once a year run white vinegar or citric acid crystals diluted through the water system to descale. If the pump is furred up so will the water heater
Click to expand...
Now you've got me worried - a replacement water heater would be a lot more expensive than a pump... thanks for the advice (y)
 
I stripped ours down last year to see if I could do anything about the pressure leaking back, and it was very clean inside, so put it back together. It was 5 years old at the time.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
The question would be what failed in the pump, the motor or the diaphragm. You can get service kits. When I had impeller pumps in the boat I would replace the impeller once a year because they would lose blades. Diaphragms are more robust. Both types are easy to service and repair.
 
I have a 14 year old van with the original water pump. I drain it down every year. It has been taking longer to pull through, though each spring, and now has stopped holding the water up to the mark. Would this be the diaphragm, I wonder??

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Polobonnie100 said:
I have a 14 year old van with the original water pump. I drain it down every year. It has been taking longer to pull through, though each spring, and now has stopped holding the water up to the mark. Would this be the diaphragm, I wonder??
Click to expand...
if the pump builds up water pressure but can't hold it, either a leak of a sticky non-return valve letting the water return to the tank
 
sallylillian said:
The question would be what failed in the pump, the motor or the diaphragm. You can get service kits. When I had impeller pumps in the boat I would replace the impeller once a year because they would lose blades. Diaphragms are more robust. Both types are easy to service and repair.
Click to expand...
Thanks that's useful. I wouldn't know where to start with servicing or repairing it, but in long-ago days MrS used to be a farmer, so I'm sure he could have a go. Will be on his case next time ;)
 
Geo said:
Farmer :Eeek: He'd dig a well rather than spend on a new pump:rofl::rofl::rofl:
Click to expand...
And he's from Yorkshire as well!!! He's definitely got soft in his old age... I gently passed on your comment last night and he went thoughtful :whistle:
 
  • Funny
Reactions: Geo
Our 07 van still has the original water pump. A few years ago I suspected it was beginning to fail, got very noisy, so I bought a new one. No difference so I replaced the original and screwed the new one onto the floor next to it - luckily plenty of room - and there it's stayed ever since.

From that it seems 5 years isn't very long but agree if you're in a hard-water area furring up could be the problem.

Noise turned out to be an outlet pipe vibrating against a bulkhead it passed through - insulated it with some bubblewrap, no more (well a lot less!) noise.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
In my Hymer I went through 3 water pumps in 2 years... Submersible types.
In my self build I have used Shurflo pumps and never had a failure in 11 years and that is fulltiming.

The main cause of failure as I understand it is when you drain down for winter there is some water left in the pump and this freezes and does a little bit of damage each year ending up in failure.
 
Just had our sureflo pump go on me on Saturday. Started letting out water at the joint with the diaphragm. Managed to get one immediately at local caravan dealer £80. Fitting took 10 minutes. Boy now it runs nice and quiet. Only lasted four years but van was left unattended for five days before Christmas due to wife being admitted to hospital in an emergency. Whilst we were away there was a Frost and the frost preventer valve let itself go. So pump ran fir five days continues whilst I was still away. So probably knocked the stuffing out if it.
Sureflos are designed to run whilst dry
 
SmithsInFrance said:
Thanks that's useful. I wouldn't know where to start with servicing or repairing it, but in long-ago days MrS used to be a farmer, so I'm sure he could have a go. Will be on his case next time ;)
Click to expand...
servicing a shurflo pump is very simple.
turn off water and drain pipework
Turn off pump at the panel
disconnect the in and outlet pipes
undo 4 screws
disconnect 2 wires
remove pump

On the bench remove the screws from the black water housing and remove top
this will reveal the diaphragm, which will be scaled up and possibly split, so peal off and discard
below are 3 plungers, if your kit includes these, remove and discard
Use warm white wine vinegar to descale the pump body and thoroughly clean and dry
reinstall plungers with a little silicon grease
align the new diaphragm to the plungers and screw holes
replace the pump body cover and evenly tighten screws

remove the strainer bowl from the pipework next to the pump. unscrew the bowl and rinse out grit
clean in warm vinegar to descale and reassemble

reinstall in reverse of removal, fill with water and check for leaks. nip up screws as needed to solve any leaks

A simple 30 minute DIY job.

Yes it can be serviced in place, but it is far easier to ensure it is descaled and clean out of the van

Not bought a service kit in a while but should be under £20 on eBay
 
Whilst on subject of pumps can you buy more poweful ones not much pressure at shower head even with special shower head fitted.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Simon Meadwell said:
Whilst on subject of pumps can you buy more poweful ones not much pressure at shower head even with special shower head fitted.
Click to expand...
that depends on a few factors. The type of plumbing, the number of joints and the type of pump

If the piping takes the longest possible route and has loads of joints, these can all stop a good flow of water at the shower or tap. Then the type of pump, the submersible type are the worst, as they are all limited in size. A diaphragm pump is best and these come in various flow rates. The cheapest, as fitted to many vans will only give a modest output. However the high flow big brother can really shift water. Both are limited by the pressure control valve for the pressurised system. Turning this up can often help improve flow rate. And removing and cleaning the filter on taps also helps improve flow rate

Those expensive special shower heads do not increase the flow rate but simulate it by aerating the water. Some other "miracle" shower heads actually restrict the flow to build pressure but don't work on low pressure systems

With motorhome water systems you have to remember that the pressure can never match a household shower. The faster a pump flows, the quicker the tank empties. It is always going to be a compromise
 
Simon Meadwell said:
Whilst on subject of pumps can you buy more poweful ones not much pressure at shower head even with special shower head fitted.
Click to expand...
The limiting factor is what your boiler can handle. Check that first.
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top