89 340EC Fresh Water problem

[wileecoyote]

I filled the water tank today with the proper clorox mixture to flush the tank. Only problem is that the pump runs but won't pump out to any faucet. Here's my question, the manual says the pump should be under the cabin steps. Mine however is mounted next to were the icemaker is. I don't see any screw holes where pump may have been previously mounted. Therefore the pump sits probably 2-3 inches above the tank outlet. I removed the hose from tank to pump and blew out, also removed elbow to be sure water was able to get to pump. The pump is a ShurFlo diaphram pump and the label says 3.6GPM 45PSI. If I remove both hoses from pump and supply water to inlet water shoots out, so I'm assuming pump works but won't prime. I've run water through dockside connection and works OK. I was hoping this would prime the pump but it only lasted a few secs. Here's the Question: Is the pump supposed to be mounted under the stairs and thats why there is now water at inlet? Anyone with a 89 340EC should be able to tell me. Also the cannister filter showed in the manual is not there as well.

 

[wileecoyote]

Another question, what will leaving the Clorox laced water in the tank for a day do? I can't figure how else to get it out.

 

[tmal2]

Check your PM wileecoyote

 

[wileecoyote]

The pump runs fine, and I removed the inlet and stuck the end in a water bottle and is sucked all the water in and shot it out. I'm thinking it's a problem between inlet and tank. I'm going to remove the sending unit and drain the tank and see what kind of a tube is supposed to be in the tank. I pulled the elbow off the tank and didn't really see a tube going to the bottom of the tank. I will investigate further, thanks.

 

[Jeff340]

I have an 87 340 sundancer. I'm not sure if the tank is the same. There is a 1/4" or so black tube running down from where the pick up screws into the tank. I need to have 5 or so gallons of water in the tank for the pump to pick up anything. The pump should self prime, mine is above the tank as well. If your tank is full you may have a cracked fitting or line and are sucking air.
Good Luck

 

[wileecoyote]

I think I found out the problem. I removed the sender and there was lots of nastiness in there. Floating stuff, etc. I siphoned as much as I could into the shower drain (only place it would run out, Guess it couldn't make it up the steps) Anyhow It took it down to about half and would do any more. I took a hose with a tip and put it into the pickup and sprayed, It came out the bottom with force. So pickup isn't clogged and it must seal some. Hooked it back up to see if I could see movement of water with pump on, Nothing! I said "screw it" cut the wires and dragged the pump home(not literally, but wanted to) I did the same water bottle test, only with a 2 liter bottle (or litre for the Canucks) and got nothing:smt021. I pulled apart the pump head and there are what looks like mini pea gravel everywhere. I'm guessing really old and hard calcium. I clean everything with a pick and toothbrush, reassembled and whalaa water pumping from the bottle all over the driveway. If I put it in now and it doesn't work, you'll see a Chevy truck with a ShurFlo hanging off the hitch!! Of course I'm sure once I run the gunk through the pump I will probably have to clean it out again. Guess I should have taken pics for future people with same problem, but wanted to test it. Thanks to everyone for the help, I'll let ya all know how it comes out(hopefully 45 PSI!)

 

[tobnpr]

You should add one of these in-line before the pump to avoid this happening again:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|305312|614249&id=199492

 

[frnkgrdn]

Just an idea... I had a problem with mine last week, I have a 270 DA and the pump wold just run no water, i took th pump apart, inspected it like u and tested the pump. thw pump was fine but no water pressure, .. my problem was that i didnt fill the water so that it oveflowed the filler tube, this either cleared a water pocket in filler tube or cleared out the vent not sure. water pressure is great and pump works fine.

 

[wileecoyote]

Water pressure and flow are good now. It was the junk in the pump that caused the problem. I have flushed the tank 3 times with a sump pump through the sender hose and have a question. Is there something better than bleach to clean all the slime and gunk in the tank? I may just have to treat it with the bleach a few more times and see what kind of a difference it makes.