Water Pump Problems!

[newbie]

Hi all,

As u can tell from our name, myself and my partner are new to this camping lifestyle! We have a 1995 ford transit with an elnagh body and are currently in Spain enjoying the sun (ish)!! However, our fiamma superflo pro 126 water pump is giving us awful trouble the last few days, which obviously isn't ideal in the warm weather!!

The water pressure from both the bathroom and kitchen is extremly low and also the pump is now continously running even when the taps are off. This is causing water to backflow into the area where the pump is connected to the tank. We have located a loose fitting pipe into the water heater that was leaking, fixed the leak but the water pump problem remains. . . .

Would really appreciate if anyone could help? Do you think we need a new pump and if so any idea where to get one near Alicante???

Thank You!

 

[Deleted member 3011]

an you explain this a bit diferently - This is causing water to backflow into the area where the pump is connected to the tank.

Sounds like you have a leak in that area that needs to be found. Perhaps leaking from under the pump between the motor and the pump, or loose screws allowing the pump casing to spring a little, or cracked pump casing or ---

Is the pump on continuously or surging on/off?

Are your taps the type that have two wires running to a switch operated by the pump?

If the suction line has a leak in it anywhere between the tank and the pump, air will be sucked into the pump resulting in low pressure and loss of prime. This will result in air bibbles coming out the tap

OR has your heater freezing drain valve opened - although if it was this, you will soon run out of water and you will see it pouring out of a tube under the MH.

Brand and type of pump is good info to give us.

 

[Deleted member 207]

As Tony has said we need more info about your plumbing system.

The simplest system has the two wires from the taps that turn on the pump, just look under the sink to see if there is (usually) a blue and brown wire. The copper contacts inside the taps do corrode over time and for all intents they are throwaway when the pump runs all the time. You can prise off the cap that has the red/blue sticker on it and disassemble the taps, I've had to do that and you can clean up the contacts, fill with vaseline and get more usage. You really should replace the seals at the same time as its water leaking into the electric contacts that is the problem. You can do a quick fix by installing a small switch to turn off the power to the taps.

The technically more complex system is where the pump has an integrated pressure switch that detects when pressure drops (opening a tap) and starts the pump. These are usually impossible to repair - you get lucky sometimes with just dirt in the pressure switch and a reverse flush with tap water does the job. The other common cause of the pump running is a leak somewhere - anywhere from inside the pump to the piping to taps etc. You need to be methodical and just work your way from the pump to each tap/appliance. Start by disconnecting power to the pump (pull the fuse), disconnect the pipe from the pump going to the taps, put your thumb over the outlet and re-connect power, if the pump runs continually then thats the problem. If it stops after a second or two, then the leak is further down the system towards the taps/appliances. Re-connect the pipe and move onto the next joint and repeat until you've isolated the section thats leaking.

Some hot water services have a return valve to the tank and if that is permanently open then you will have continuous flow as well, by isolating each appliance in turn you should be able to find the problem.

Sorry for the long winded reply.

 

[Deleted member 967]

If your taps have a filter in them they may be blocked up. Mine were on our 1992 Hymer.

The end of the chrome tap has a flat that you can get a shifting spanner on. Take them out and remove any accumulated muck. Our flow had gone right down and we burnt out a pump as a result. We had had pipe comming off before that.

I know of a caravan dealer at Categena if that is of any help.

 

[Deleted member 3011]

After several days of almost no water and leaking water, I guess you have either sorted out the problem, or are getting desperate.

Any outcome? Update?

 

[newbie]

sorry for late reply, and thanks for the help everyone!! wud have replied sooner except a midst all the water problems, we couldnt find wifi anywhere! lol!

anyway, we checked for leaks, electric taps ( we dont have them! ), cleaned the filters . . . . . and eventually found this amazing shop in Alfas del Pi called international camping shop where the man gave us a new pump on trial, which worked instantly. . . .turns out our beloved josie simply did need a pump transplant. . . . now we can wash again, yay! Thanks again for taking the time to help!