I am having a problem with the fresh water system on our 1989 Catalina 30. The problem is two fold. The first part is the water pump (Shurflo) will not reach the level of pressure required to turn it off. The second issues is when the pump is on and a faucet in the boat is opened, water along with air blasts out to the point it splashes out of the sink. I took the pump out of the boat and did a test on it. I capped the outlet side and attached a hose to the intake. When I ran the pump with a bucket of water the pump worked fine (nice steady flow of water) and kicked off. Any suggestions on what I should do next to determine the problem or better yet fix the problem ? Thank you in advance, CM
Fresh-Water System Problem
- Thread starter cmorin
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I am having a problem with the fresh water system on our 1989 Catalina 30. The problem is two fold. The first part is the water pump (Shurflo) will not reach the level of pressure required to turn it off. The second issues is when the pump is on and a faucet in the boat is opened, water along with air blasts out to the point it splashes out of the sink. I took the pump out of the boat and did a test on it. I capped the outlet side and attached a hose to the intake. When I ran the pump with a bucket of water the pump worked fine (nice steady flow of water) and kicked off. Any suggestions on what I should do next to determine the problem or better yet fix the problem ? Thank you in advance, CM
Sucking Air!
Check for an inline filter BEFORE the pump and AFTER the water tank. You should be able to remove it to clean it, if it is dirty. Also look for a break in any hose in the system BEFOR the faucet that spurts. It will suck air if there is a break. It'll gurgle in the hose ifrom the point air is introduce, AFTER the break. Also, make sure there is water in the tank before you turn it on ORthat it is not frozen. (Yes, this ends with a stupid reply, but people are known to do/try all kinds of things. Especially in cold climates).
Check for an inline filter BEFORE the pump and AFTER the water tank. You should be able to remove it to clean it, if it is dirty. Also look for a break in any hose in the system BEFOR the faucet that spurts. It will suck air if there is a break. It'll gurgle in the hose ifrom the point air is introduce, AFTER the break. Also, make sure there is water in the tank before you turn it on ORthat it is not frozen. (Yes, this ends with a stupid reply, but people are known to do/try all kinds of things. Especially in cold climates).
Sucking Air!
Check for an inline filter BEFORE the pump and AFTER the water tank. You should be able to remove it to clean it, if it is dirty. Also look for a break in any hose in the system BEFOR the faucet that spurts. It will suck air if there is a break. It'll gurgle in the hose ifrom the point air is introduce, AFTER the break. Also, make sure there is water in the tank before you turn it on ORthat it is not frozen. (Yes, this ends with a stupid reply, but people are known to do/try all kinds of things. Especially in cold climates).
Check for an inline filter BEFORE the pump and AFTER the water tank. You should be able to remove it to clean it, if it is dirty. Also look for a break in any hose in the system BEFOR the faucet that spurts. It will suck air if there is a break. It'll gurgle in the hose ifrom the point air is introduce, AFTER the break. Also, make sure there is water in the tank before you turn it on ORthat it is not frozen. (Yes, this ends with a stupid reply, but people are known to do/try all kinds of things. Especially in cold climates).
Before this started...
Did you let your water tank get completely empty..enough that the pump was sucking air? 'Cuz faucets that are spitting air means there's air in the plumbing. If so, you just need to let the water run long enough to bleed all the air out of the fresh water lines. Edit: till I saw Paul's reply and noticed where you are, it didn't occur to me that the water could be frozen. I don't think that's causing your problem, but I do think you need to winterize your boat! If it has been winterized, it would mean that the water tank IS empty--or that the level is below the in the outlet fitting--which would cause the pump to suck air and the faucets to spit air. Leave it alone till spring, then when you fill the tank again to recomission the system, do I as I said above--let the water run long enough to purge all the air out of the system.
Did you let your water tank get completely empty..enough that the pump was sucking air? 'Cuz faucets that are spitting air means there's air in the plumbing. If so, you just need to let the water run long enough to bleed all the air out of the fresh water lines. Edit: till I saw Paul's reply and noticed where you are, it didn't occur to me that the water could be frozen. I don't think that's causing your problem, but I do think you need to winterize your boat! If it has been winterized, it would mean that the water tank IS empty--or that the level is below the in the outlet fitting--which would cause the pump to suck air and the faucets to spit air. Leave it alone till spring, then when you fill the tank again to recomission the system, do I as I said above--let the water run long enough to purge all the air out of the system.
Before this started...
Did you let your water tank get completely empty..enough that the pump was sucking air? 'Cuz faucets that are spitting air means there's air in the plumbing. If so, you just need to let the water run long enough to bleed all the air out of the fresh water lines. Edit: till I saw Paul's reply and noticed where you are, it didn't occur to me that the water could be frozen. I don't think that's causing your problem, but I do think you need to winterize your boat! If it has been winterized, it would mean that the water tank IS empty--or that the level is below the in the outlet fitting--which would cause the pump to suck air and the faucets to spit air. Leave it alone till spring, then when you fill the tank again to recomission the system, do I as I said above--let the water run long enough to purge all the air out of the system.
Did you let your water tank get completely empty..enough that the pump was sucking air? 'Cuz faucets that are spitting air means there's air in the plumbing. If so, you just need to let the water run long enough to bleed all the air out of the fresh water lines. Edit: till I saw Paul's reply and noticed where you are, it didn't occur to me that the water could be frozen. I don't think that's causing your problem, but I do think you need to winterize your boat! If it has been winterized, it would mean that the water tank IS empty--or that the level is below the in the outlet fitting--which would cause the pump to suck air and the faucets to spit air. Leave it alone till spring, then when you fill the tank again to recomission the system, do I as I said above--let the water run long enough to purge all the air out of the system.
Check for leaks
Check for leaks in the system, even if minor. I just had a problem where my pump would cycle every few seconds. A quick check under sinks and in the bilges didn't show any leaks. I figured it was time for a new pressure switch. I decided to check one more place, the cockpit shower, and found a very slight leak in the fitting where it attached to the main system. I was surprised at how often it caused the pump to try and pressurize the system. It's possible you have a small hairline crack that's causing the problem. Use a flashlight and inspect everywhere you can. Also run your finger along the underside of the hoses and fittings to check for moisture, even if very minor. Good luck.
Check for leaks in the system, even if minor. I just had a problem where my pump would cycle every few seconds. A quick check under sinks and in the bilges didn't show any leaks. I figured it was time for a new pressure switch. I decided to check one more place, the cockpit shower, and found a very slight leak in the fitting where it attached to the main system. I was surprised at how often it caused the pump to try and pressurize the system. It's possible you have a small hairline crack that's causing the problem. Use a flashlight and inspect everywhere you can. Also run your finger along the underside of the hoses and fittings to check for moisture, even if very minor. Good luck.
Check for leaks
Check for leaks in the system, even if minor. I just had a problem where my pump would cycle every few seconds. A quick check under sinks and in the bilges didn't show any leaks. I figured it was time for a new pressure switch. I decided to check one more place, the cockpit shower, and found a very slight leak in the fitting where it attached to the main system. I was surprised at how often it caused the pump to try and pressurize the system. It's possible you have a small hairline crack that's causing the problem. Use a flashlight and inspect everywhere you can. Also run your finger along the underside of the hoses and fittings to check for moisture, even if very minor. Good luck.
Check for leaks in the system, even if minor. I just had a problem where my pump would cycle every few seconds. A quick check under sinks and in the bilges didn't show any leaks. I figured it was time for a new pressure switch. I decided to check one more place, the cockpit shower, and found a very slight leak in the fitting where it attached to the main system. I was surprised at how often it caused the pump to try and pressurize the system. It's possible you have a small hairline crack that's causing the problem. Use a flashlight and inspect everywhere you can. Also run your finger along the underside of the hoses and fittings to check for moisture, even if very minor. Good luck.
It is cold here but.....
The entire system has been winterized. The problem was occurring during the boating season. When I first had the problem, I made sure the water tanks were full. When I tested the pump the other day, I removed the pump from the boat and did the test in the garage. Paul, can the air leak be on either side (feed side or output side) of the pump or only one side ? Just trying to limit the possibilities. Could the accumulator tank be a factor (do I need one ?) as a possible leak ? Thanks CM
The entire system has been winterized. The problem was occurring during the boating season. When I first had the problem, I made sure the water tanks were full. When I tested the pump the other day, I removed the pump from the boat and did the test in the garage. Paul, can the air leak be on either side (feed side or output side) of the pump or only one side ? Just trying to limit the possibilities. Could the accumulator tank be a factor (do I need one ?) as a possible leak ? Thanks CM
It is cold here but.....
The entire system has been winterized. The problem was occurring during the boating season. When I first had the problem, I made sure the water tanks were full. When I tested the pump the other day, I removed the pump from the boat and did the test in the garage. Paul, can the air leak be on either side (feed side or output side) of the pump or only one side ? Just trying to limit the possibilities. Could the accumulator tank be a factor (do I need one ?) as a possible leak ? Thanks CM
The entire system has been winterized. The problem was occurring during the boating season. When I first had the problem, I made sure the water tanks were full. When I tested the pump the other day, I removed the pump from the boat and did the test in the garage. Paul, can the air leak be on either side (feed side or output side) of the pump or only one side ? Just trying to limit the possibilities. Could the accumulator tank be a factor (do I need one ?) as a possible leak ? Thanks CM
Thanks
I would like to thank everyone for the input. I can't wait to tackle the mission this spring. CM
I would like to thank everyone for the input. I can't wait to tackle the mission this spring. CM
Thanks
I would like to thank everyone for the input. I can't wait to tackle the mission this spring. CM
I would like to thank everyone for the input. I can't wait to tackle the mission this spring. CM
Check your "T" Valve
My Hunter 34 had a three way "T" valve to switch between drawing from tank one or tank two. It took me a long time to figure out that this valve was leaking between the tanks. When one tank was empty, I would switch to the other tank. The valve was leaking so that it was still drawing some from empty tank meaning it was sucking in some air along with the water from the full tank. I got rid of this three way valve and put in two separate single valves and turn on only the tank I want to use. Ross is right, you can only get air into the system from the suction side of the pump.
My Hunter 34 had a three way "T" valve to switch between drawing from tank one or tank two. It took me a long time to figure out that this valve was leaking between the tanks. When one tank was empty, I would switch to the other tank. The valve was leaking so that it was still drawing some from empty tank meaning it was sucking in some air along with the water from the full tank. I got rid of this three way valve and put in two separate single valves and turn on only the tank I want to use. Ross is right, you can only get air into the system from the suction side of the pump.
Check your "T" Valve
My Hunter 34 had a three way "T" valve to switch between drawing from tank one or tank two. It took me a long time to figure out that this valve was leaking between the tanks. When one tank was empty, I would switch to the other tank. The valve was leaking so that it was still drawing some from empty tank meaning it was sucking in some air along with the water from the full tank. I got rid of this three way valve and put in two separate single valves and turn on only the tank I want to use. Ross is right, you can only get air into the system from the suction side of the pump.
My Hunter 34 had a three way "T" valve to switch between drawing from tank one or tank two. It took me a long time to figure out that this valve was leaking between the tanks. When one tank was empty, I would switch to the other tank. The valve was leaking so that it was still drawing some from empty tank meaning it was sucking in some air along with the water from the full tank. I got rid of this three way valve and put in two separate single valves and turn on only the tank I want to use. Ross is right, you can only get air into the system from the suction side of the pump.
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