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Troubleshooting your Water Pump

Article by CaravansPlus - Caravans Plus
Read Time: 3 mins

Troubleshooting your pump & system

The number one problem people encounter with their high pressure plumbing systems is caused by vibrations that allow pumping hardware to work loose whilst travelling. It is always a good idea to check the fittings. Simply tightening some components can resolve many issues. Always check this first and do not overlook the obvious!

The list below of symptoms and possible remedies may also help for new and old installations.
1) Pump will not start or blows the circuit
2) Pump runs but will not prime and splutters
3) Pump rapid cycles
4) My pump will not shut off or runs when taps are closed
5) Pump is noisy or running rough

1. Pump will not start or blows the circuit

  • The first thing would be to look at the electrical circuit. This includes checking the fuse, switch, circuit breaker, and the earth. If you are running off batteries, make sure you are obtaining correct voltage.
  • Check to see if the pump is hot. It could simply have stopped due to the thermal breaker being triggered. Wait until it cools down.
  • If your pump has spent the night in below freezing conditions such as those experienced in some parts of alpine Australia, it could be that the water against the pump diaphragm has frozen causing it to seize. Wait for it to thaw.
  • If you have voltage present at the switch, try bypassing the pressure switch. Does the pump operate?

    2. Pump runs but will not prime and splutters

  • Check the water level of your tank. It is not as silly as it sounds.
  • It is common that the strainer or inline filter has become clogged with foreign debris. If this happens it will stop the follow of water to the pump. Simply clean or replace the filter
  • If you are using a hot water system, air could have built up within your hot water tank producing an air lock. Release the pressure from your tank, refer to your HWS owners manual.
  • Check your plumbing connections. If they have become loose, they could very well be causing a vacuum leak.
  • Check your hose to make sure no kinks have appeared, and that all your valves are functioning correctly.
  • Check your pump is getting correct voltage.

    3. Pump rapid cycles

  • The major cause of rapid cycling is restrictive plumbing. This can be restrictive taps and shower heads or kinked hoses.
  • If you are running a water filter or purifier then this should be installed on a separate line feed. Do not purify all your water.

    4. My pump will not shut off or runs when taps are closed

  • Check your plumbing's pressured side for leaks, dripping taps, or if you have a plumbed toilet (for flush), make sure it is functioning correctly.
  • Check your pump is receiving the correct voltage.
  • Check the pump head screws have not worked loose.
  • Possible debris is causing valves to stay open.

    5. Pump is noisy or running rough

  • Check plumbing has not worked loose or become kinked.
  • Clean out your strainer from any foreign debris.
  • Is your pump plumbed using flexible hose and mounted correctly?
  • Bleed your plumbing system of any air.

    Was this helpful?

  • 23 Comments

    • comment-avatar

      Roy

      Pump in thetford cassette toilet not working. How do I replace

    • comment-avatar

      Clive Small

      Look up your model of Thetford toilet on line and follow their instructions. Mine was under the toilet roll holder in the top of the tank. I undid the pump, (very hard to get to and pulled pipe off but did not disconnect electrics) and sat it in some cal-gone for about 20 minutes then it worked. Impeller was stuck from sitting for ages not being used. I was lucky as these pumps are expensive. Good luck!

    • comment-avatar

      Colin

      I found if you take the pump out and soak the impeller in vinegar always works for me. ( don’t turn the pump on while it’s in the vinegar as you may get vinegar spraying all over the place)

    • comment-avatar

      Mal

      I have a new water pump and had to adjust the water flow with a alan key at end of pump. When the pump is activated and stops, there is an annoying pump noise, as if there is a leak, but there is none. I keep trying to adjust the pump to eradicate the noise but to no avail. The noise it makes is like a brrp

    • comment-avatar

      Lisa

      I have the same problem with our new pump too. We have checked for leaks, cleaned any strainer catchments and adjusted with the alan key. We also now have the lights flicker when it does the brrrr sound after turning the tap off and every roughly 40 mins it does the brrrr soind. Dont know what else to do. Did you find out what it was??

    • comment-avatar

      Paul

      There is a bypass valve that feeds water back into the supply side, that can be your leak without finding any water leaking out

    • comment-avatar

      Desley

      Coromal Element 13 purchased 2016. Pump making huge amount of noise.Not been quite since then. Had a service but didn't resolve it Cross!!!! Embarrassing as it so loud the neighbours can hear. Unable to fill 2nd rank. Possibly an air block. How do we sort it.

    • comment-avatar

      Russ

      Our 3 yo silver Line water system froze up , where is the water pump?

    • comment-avatar

      Chris Ebert

      I have a 2014 RV tornado caravan was camping went outside van this morning and water was coming back up through the water filler cap

    • comment-avatar

      Chris Ebert

      I have a 2014 RV tornado caravan was camping went outside van this morning and water was coming back up through the water filler cap

    • comment-avatar

      Jim

      I had this problem. In my case (Jayco), the hose connector on the van has a one way valve that got debris in it and let high pressure water flow out the disconnect water connector and draining the tank. In my case, i removed the connector with its valve and cleaned out the debris and refitted it and all good now. I also followed up with a purchase of a spare in case it happened again and I could not clean it out. Good luck.

    • comment-avatar

      mark

      where is the water pump in a royal flair micron caravan

    • comment-avatar

      Christine

      We have a leak in our hot and cold water system the pump kicks in and out how do we find the leak

    • comment-avatar

      Michael

      Could you tell me where the clean water pump is in my Avantgarde compass 2 Berth camper van. When you turn off tap pump keep running .

    • comment-avatar

      Andy

      We have a sea flow water pump. It was working fine we have been set up here for a few days. Last night it started playing up. It doesn’t start each time a tap is turned on but starts sometimes. The pump switch in the van lights up to show power. Help please long way from home. Cheers

    • comment-avatar

      Mauruzio

      Can the breakdown of the anoid particles cause a blockage in the hot water line?

    • comment-avatar

      Graeme

      Haven’t used our 2016 silver line during COVID and pressure pump is not pulling water from tank, lines are clear, but no water,any ideas?

    • comment-avatar

      Chris

      I have the same problem mate, I have just purchased a new T32316-62 - 32316: HT Reed Switch however that doesn't seem to be the issue. The pump itself is located under the flush switch. Have a look at this youtube video.

    • comment-avatar

      Chris

      PM me for the link, they won't let me put it in here.

    • comment-avatar

      Warren

      More around the toilet but still plumbing. Thetford cassette unit fed with flush water from main tank. Water enters the bowl in (weak) little spurts and flush water doesn't make it all the way around the bowl. Checked water pressure to toilet, all good, checked voltage to connections at rear of toilet, also all good. That valve that's under the seat? Can't see what else it could be except maybe the vacuum breaker valve that's also there. Any help appreciated

    • comment-avatar

      Shane

      I have installed a surflow series 4009 for a water filter tap. This is a seperate pump for the water filter tap only. Inlet hose into pump is 13mm and outlet is 12mm John guest and connects into a 3mm hose with a filter. I’m not getting a constant flow of water until the pump had been running for 40 seconds. I have adjusted the flow rate screw on the pump but that doesn’t change flow and the water purges for 40 seconds before it is a constant flow. Does anyone know what the issue is. Appreciate any help,

    • comment-avatar

      Paul

      You are getting air in the inlet or suction side and it takes that long to clear because it is a small outlet, check the connections as if any are loose the supply line will drain back into the tanks. I put a clear plastic supply line in ours so that I can see if it is full of water to the pump.

    • comment-avatar

      Paul

      Our shureflo 4009 would keep running but supply no water, it was a jammed shut non return valve someone had replaced the O ring with a thinner cross section one that meant its outside dimension was too small and enabled it to be forced into the port it was supposed to close off by the pressure of the utility supply by the hose. I popped it out by hand and flipped it over so that the distorted side was not the sealing side ordered a soft kit and all good now.

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