Need some help with a leaky water pump.

[Dhalamar]

I've got a 1977 Yellowstone 24" I got a few days ago... and despite it's age it's in pretty good shape. Got a couple of leaks in the roof to deal with. But you kind of expect that for 1500 bucks and 41 years old.

But... the water pump.

When I'm hooked up to city water, the thing leaks around the seems. Not a GUSH or anything, but a significant enough leak that it got the carpet wet.

When I'm just using the fresh water tank, where it only gets turned on "on demand" it may leak... I don't know... but it's never used that long when it's like that. I'm not camping or boondocking or whatever, I'm in my parents' back yard.

The picture isn't MY water pump, but it illustrates where the leak is coming from.

The pump isn't original by any means and is fairly new.



Does anyone have any ideas? I'm almost TOTALLY ignorant when it comes to this. Hand me computer parts and I'm alright. Much of anything else, my ignorance comes out. I thought about just covering that seam with Flex Tape... but that's only a band-ade and does nothing for the problem itself.

I can take some pictures of the ACTUAL pump, it was just easier to hit up the Googles for a reference image.

My mother and father suggested just getting rid of it and running a line straight through... but then I wouldn't be able to get any water when I'm just running off the tank, and my thinking is to just fill and top off the tank either when needed or when I dump the black tank to help not make the water bill as expensive. So as not to have the water running into the camper ALL THE TIME whether I'm using it or not.

Thanks to anyone in advance!

 

[highdesertranger]

first off this needs to be fixed ASAP.  I would start with checking the head bolts around that seem that's leaking making sure they are snug.  what brand pump?  here's a flow chart for RV water systems so you know what you are dealing with,



you could have a bad city pressure regulator and have to much pressure on the water pump head.  could be a defective pump.  SHURflo and Flowjet used to make rebuild kits for their pumps,  not sure if they still do.   you could remove the pump and check the gasket it could have dried out from sitting.  I would leave the pump in the system for reasons you already stated.  these pumps are easy to service we will help you through it.  highdesertranger

 

[tx2sturgis]

First, do you use a pressure regulator at the input of your city water connection? If not, its possible that the incoming pressure exceeded the rating on the pump. 

You might try tightening the bolts or screws on the pump head, where it connects to the motor. If that doesn't help, its probably a leaking gasket, and you may be able to remove the head, replace the gasket, and try again.

If it's a Shurflo or another good brand, you should be able to find replacement parts.

Another possibility is if the RV was not winterized, and the pump was subjected to freezing temps last winter, the pump head has a hairline crack in it... Again, depending on the brand, you might be able to replace just the head. 

If it's an off-brand or chinese knockoff, then replacement is probably the best option, but make sure you have an inline pressure regulator on your city water connection.

 

[Weight]

I bet the pump froze and the ice expanded the housing. Try tightening the screws and or bolts. Get the number from the pump and find one close to size on Amazon. They are not that costly.

 

[wagoneer]

I have seen a number of these fail hairline cracks and reasons listed above buying parts are not cheap as you might think. The filters get clogged if the tank is dirty obstructing the flow.

 

[Weight]

Not repair parts. A new pump.

 

[Dhalamar]

Went and got a water pressure regulator from WallyWorld and got it hooked up (hooked it in at the house where the water comes from)... I've got my bed flipped up to eye the water pump... we'll see in a little bit. No leaks so far.

That seemed like the easiest, cheapest and most obvious thing to try. Also made the most sense because it seemed like the water pressure before was a little TOO good. Like, violently good and it seemed like from what you guys have said it may just have been too much for the pump.

Gonna leave it flipped up for a while so I can eye it. Hopefully this is all that's needed. hehe

 

[wmyers4u]

if it comes down to needing to fix it, I'd just replace it if possible. Once one seal fails who knows what will be next.

 

[Dhalamar]

I've had the water running with the mattress flipped up to eye it, it's yet to show any water since. Not saying that this fixed the problem, but it is looking promising since it's been about an hour. With the way it was before, it would've started leaking long ago. hehe