Water Pump

[kojo]

Does anyone know a simple way to find a possible air leak in the water lines? I was un winterizing my Pleasureway, and after I had filled the water tank, filled and checked the water heater, and bled off the air from the lines, I disconnected the city water and turned on the water pump. I can only get a very low water pressure and it spits water then nothing. The pump is running, if I turn off the taps and then back on, it will spit a little more water and air, then nothing again.
Any help would be great!!

[Doneworking]

Kojo, how long did you leave the pump running? Sometimes it takes mine several minutes to pressure up properly after all the lines, tank and hot water heater have been drained.

[GeorgeRa]

Is water level above or below the pump. If above a slight leak will allow air to get in. If below than pump is not pumping, could have internal air in leak, dirt in valve?

[kojo]

I let the pump run for several minutes over several tries.

[kojo]

the water level is below the pump. when I turn the water off at the tap, then back on, it will pump a little water then air. I took the filter off and cleaned it, and tried again... same result.
I called the 800 number and was told to remove the cover and check to see if the pump may be clogged, which I plan to try tomorrow. He also said to check all the connections to see if one may be loose. That sounds like it won't be easy, so I'm hoping for a dirty pump.

[avanti]

IF by "filter", you mean the clear plastic cap with a tubular screen below it, be sure to check that the o-ring gasket on the cap is properly in place and that it is properly threaded and tightened, and not cracked. Every time what you describe happens to me, it always turns out to be that cap.

[kojo]

YEA!! It's fixed! After reading your post and talking to a plumber friend, I checked the filter, or strainer. There were no cracks. My friend said to check the gasket to see if it had dried out, if not, take it out, put some vaseline on it and make sure that I put it back on snuggly.
THANKS! I really did not want to trace down every connection to see where the leak was!

[theHueg]

If Vaseline is petroleum based it destroy that gasket.

[White Cloud]

In SCUBA repair we use food grade silicone grease in a VERY thin film to lubricate O-ring gaskets.

the Hueg is correct. If you used a petroleum-based lubricant (like Vaseline) to lubricate the O-ring, you are risking your health. It only takes a small amount to cause problems.

[avanti]

I believe the proper product for o-rings is silicone plumber's grease:

[mkguitar]

the advantage of a plumbers grease is a high melting point, it'll stay put better under high heat-


important to us living in the desert where the vehicle interior is over 100º for months at a time
and sometimes well over 140º




water doesn't compress, air does - which can make a pump work hard to prime a system. the pump may also get hot- many are designed to be cooled by the fluid they move



when I am readying the system I use city water to purge air from the lines, then switch over to fresh water tank and pump



Mike

[avanti]

Originally Posted by mkguitar

the advantage of a plumbers grease is a high melting point, it'll stay put better under high heat-

True.
Note, however, that some plumber's grease is petroleum based, which will attack rubber o-rings just like Vaseline. The "silicone" part is important.