That little plastic cup thing on pump

[phil_in_npton]

Good Morning!
The learning curve continues! Our third trip and first after draining water down before Christmas. A rather hurriedly arranged trip to visit a very poorly relative in hospital, not a holiday!
Still a bit green on what to turn on or off at any given time but reassured that if needed help is out there!
The problem was no water coming through. Easy to google and find helpful YouTube videos, less easy if one’s idea of DIY is paying the chap who fixes things!
Anyway, with very limited info gained last night watching videos, this morning an investigation was launched… a very basic investigation with the first question being “ where is the water pump?”
Success ! It’s under the cooker!
Now I can see the plastic cup that was identified as a possible problem and although having to lie flat on the floor to reach it, it was obviously not as it should be. It was broken in two parts.
So a replacement is required and my question is where from.. and is it so simple as just screwing back on?
Please avoid too technical terms in any response!

Thanks

Phil in Northampton

 

[Roger S]

Hello Phill, It will be a question of just screwing it back on, but as it says do hand tighten only, it looks like it broke due to overtightening. as to where you will find a replacement I would look for a manufacturer name and search E bay or similar to find the part.

 

[Manic]

Maybe this part

Shurflo Water Filter for Water Pump

Preventing Debris from entering your water pump, the Shurflo water filter is an ideal little add on for you Water System.

nomadicleisure.co.uk

 

[Landy Andy]

It may have well broken due to it freezing. The water expands snapping the top off room the threads.

 

[Lenny HB]

Plenty on Amazon from £10 search Shureflo pump filter.

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[funflair]

Maybe this part

Shurflo Water Filter for Water Pump

Preventing Debris from entering your water pump, the Shurflo water filter is an ideal little add on for you Water System.

nomadicleisure.co.uk

Darn it you beat me, I will post an alternative source anyway

https://www.caravantech.co.uk/product/shurflo-water-strainer-filter-barbed-wingnut

 

[phil_in_npton]

Thanks all, thankfully seems relatively simple fix!

Phil

 

[Bobbydaisy]

Yep as previously said just screw new pump filter bowl back on , fill tank with water , open taps ( hot and cold ) and turn on pump to expel air out the system . Do all taps and toilet flush . Think it’s one of these you need.

Shurflo Water Filter – Nomadic Leisure

The Shurflo Water Filter prevents Debris from entering your water pump, an ideal little add on for you Water System. Being easily to dismantle and clean.

nomadicleisure.co.uk

 

[IRHP]

When you have a new one take it off and empty it the next time you are draining the system for frost protection. Leave it off until next filling as they can fill again with residual water in the system.

 

[bigwood]

I have been caught by freezing in the same way. I thought being Easter it wouldn’t be a problem with frozen pipes etc.
We woke to very little water pressure and the pump running constantly. The water in the bathroom had frost in it. Looking outside the site was white with frost.
The pump was fitted against the outside wall of the van with no insulation and the pipes to the bathroom ran underneath fully exsposed.
The pump was under the cooker at arms length reached by lying on the floor. When we got home I found the filter housing was split allowing the pump to draw air. Before I changed the filter housing I moved the pump off the van wall and insulated it and the pipes.

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[phil_in_npton]

Good Afternoon
I’m afraid to say I’ve come back with more questions. First let me say I’m quite embarrassed with my own level of incompetence, I get so frustrated at not being able to sort out what to others seems so simple.
Anyway, this is where things are now… I successfully purchased the replacement water filter. I actually was quite pleased with myself as I sourced the water filter locally from White Arches.
So I thought, simply screw this part on replacing the broken part and away we go.
Well that’s not how life works for us!
Turned on the pump, opened the tap and still just an initial splutter of water and then nothing. Tank indicator shows half full. (notice not half empty!)
So I guess something else is broken or just as likely I’m doing something wrong, not turned something on or off maybe?
Should the clear plastic cup holding the filter be above or below the bit it screws onto?
I have a couple of picture quizzes for you as well. If possible a brief explanation of what it is and what it does!
As I cannot empty the half full freshwater tank via the taps I’m assuming there must be some other method ie a separate tap directly linked to the tank?
Also what is the little yellow lever for, under the seat?
Motorhome is Autotrail Tracker ‘08.
Any information in simple language appreciated!

Phil in Northampton

 

[donkey]

Hi

Have you forgotten the rubber seal on the filter housing?
The yellow lever is the drain valve for the system. It will drain your taps, boiler, shower etc. but you need to open all taps in the middle position to allow air back in.
That gate valve looks as though it has been fitted as a drain, so either your grey water of fresh water tank drain.
By the way the filter can be in any position.

Geoff

 

[phil_in_npton]

Thanks Geoff

To be honest I’m not sure about the seal. Unfortunately van is not kept at home so can’t just pop out and have a look.
Would the replacement part not have included the seal? It’s something to check anyway, the broken part had an orange seal within it ( see pic) maybe it needed transferring?

Phil in Northampton

 

[IRHP]

Probably just air in the system, open all taps Inc shower, hot and cold. Let it spit and splutter for a while. Water should come through eventually, you will probably have a boiler to fill as well so it takes a few mins, flush the toilet too.

 

[Landy Andy]

When the pump runs are you seeing any water come into the new filter?
If not it maybe because it is not tight enough or seal is missing, and that will allow it to just suck air instead of water.

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[Landy Andy]

I assume you don’t have an open frost valve and water peeing out under van.

 

[phil_in_npton]

Good Evening
The new part does include the seal. Checked when pump on and water appears to be in the cup thing.
Still spluttering but was more important to drain off remaining on board freshwater than get water flowing properly. Opened the lever under the seat which enabled discharge of water from pipe under van.
Hopefully all drained ahead of this week’s freezing temperatures.
Next instalment when re-filling for next trip to see if all gets back to working normally…
We will see, don’t go far from your phones/lap tops!

Phil in Northampton

 

[rob1234]

hi i have been told by shurflo that the filter should be on top ,, if its on top you can pour water in to the cup to bleed it ,if its air locked ,be harder if its upside down i believe,, but no doubt some on will say I'm wrong as usual ,,

 

[Lenny HB]

I don't think it matters but most are installed with it hanging down. If is only a mesh filter to stop grit entering the pump.

 

[Puddleduck]

phil_in_npton please always ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question, I don't guarantee the answers though!!!!

I have an in tank Reich pump so the Shurflo information was new to me and may be useful in the future.

The in tank pumps burn out if operated when not covered with water (guess how I know?) and when the tank is refilled after drain down there is a lot of spluttering before the water comes through. Also try to remember to turn a couple of taps on, water pump off, and shower head on the floor when you have no water in the fresh water tank.

Also I hope your family situation has improved.

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[L' Hobo]

hi i have been told by shurflo that the filter should be on top ,, if its on top you can pour water in to the cup to bleed it ,if its air locked ,be harder if its upside down i believe,, but no doubt some on will say I'm wrong as usual ,,

View attachment 716118

I put mine as you described, simply because, when I winter drain down, it drains also. So far (6yrs on this pump), no problems.

 

[denisejoe]

If the cup is on top how do you undo the screws to take the cup off or is the plastic cup screwed on?

 

[Lenny HB]

If the cup is on top how do you undo the screws to take the cup off or is the plastic cup screwed on?

What screws? The cup is threaded it just screws on.

 

[Imala615]

I have a similar set up to yours with pump under the cooker, when you refill making sure external drain tap is shut and the red lever under the seat (boiler drain tap) is closed. Then i start from the sink tap (close the bathroom sink and shower taps ) and then let it run until you get a decent flow of water (could be a while as you are also filling the boiler so make sure you have at least half filled the tank) then move on to the bathroom sink and shower.