Water pump woes

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Bob James

Bob James

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May 3, 2008
190
Catalina 310 Catawba Island
We spent a week on the boat at the end of June sailing across Lake Erie to Canada and back with a few Island stops. All systems worked fine. Returned to the boat last weekend after about 10 days and the fresh water - hot and cold - just trickle out. Galley sink and head sink. The pump runs and takes a long time to shut off after the faucet is closed. When I first turn on a faucet the pressure and volume are fine but in a few seconds it is back ton a trickle. Also, the refrigerator sump pump and the shower sump do not work. Any ideas? Rebuild, replace, what to check out, etc. The first problem I noticed was the shower sump and that was backi in May. I thought the line might be clogged but since I don't use the shower I did not invetigate at the time. I thought of clogged filter but did not take it apart in the 95 degree heat on Sunday.
 
gpd955

gpd955

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Feb 22, 2006
1,164
Catalina 310 Cape May, NJ
Do you think it may be a power issue? Something may be corroded and maybe there's a lack of juice getting to the pump. Just a quick thought.
 
Bob James

Bob James

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May 3, 2008
190
Catalina 310 Catawba Island
The temp on the dock was down to 92 and I did pull the strainer off the fresh water pump and cleaned it out with a hose on both sides. Yes there was junk in there. Reassembled and it works fine. Interesting that when I pulled the fresh waer supply line the water flowed out and into the bilge. No problem but I was surprised. It must be gravity driven from the front tank.
 
rpwillia

rpwillia

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Sep 29, 2008
1,944
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Second what was said

bobjames said:
The temp on the dock was down to 92 and I did pull the strainer off the fresh water pump and cleaned it out with a hose on both sides. Yes there was junk in there. Reassembled and it works fine. Interesting that when I pulled the fresh waer supply line the water flowed out and into the bilge. No problem but I was surprised. It must be gravity driven from the front tank.
Click to expand

Bob, Witz also mentioned you should check your filters, and by that I really mean the strainers that are on the faucets themselves. When re-commissioning this year we found a lot of scale from the city water that was clogging up our strainers. Good idea to check the filter before the water pump as well.

For you shower sump drain, did you check the strainer/filter right before your pump under the sink? It will also get clogged up with crud like it is designed to.
 
pk104

pk104

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Jun 30, 2009
208
Catalina 310 Atwood Lake
To shut off the water from the tank so I can work on the pump or strainer, I put a shutoff in the line under the pump. Simple stuff you can find at any box store. A brass valve, two hose barbs with male ends, a few hose clamps, and a piece of the hose. It lies on the floor under the trash can hole.
 
pk104

pk104

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Jun 30, 2009
208
Catalina 310 Atwood Lake
Shutoff valve and three way valve

Attached are pictures of the shutoff valve I installed for the fresh water tank. It lays on the floor under the trash can. I also removed the three way valve for the shower and frig. draining and replaced it with a brass three way vavle I bought from Defender. My wife is thrilled how much easier the new valve works.
 
Long Story

Long Story

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Aug 24, 2009
444
Catalina 310 Sturgeon Bay, WI
Where you put your shut off - might be a great place to put the three-way valve and a length of hose for shutting down the fresh water tank, and pulling anti-freeze through the water system. For those of us that live where it is cold. Two birds with one valve.
 
Witzend

Witzend

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Dec 25, 2008
1,580
catalina 310 Elk River
Long Story said:
Where you put your shut off - might be a great place to put the three-way valve and a length of hose for shutting down the fresh water tank, and pulling anti-freeze through the water system. For those of us that live where it is cold. Two birds with one valve.
Click to expand
Beware, by taking that approach, you may not get anti to flow back through the hose to the tank. This section could freeze then, especially the tank nipple. Better to put the anti in a drained tank to make sure all is protected.
 
pk104

pk104

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Jun 30, 2009
208
Catalina 310 Atwood Lake
So far the antifreeze worked ok with the valve installed and went through one northeast Ohio winter but I also put antifreeze directly into my tank.
 
Bob James

Bob James

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May 3, 2008
190
Catalina 310 Catawba Island
Update on the water pump and the strainer. We were out for 4 days and after day 3 the strainer was clogged again. Junk-gunk is not dirt or "hard" material" but looks a little like slime. Cleaned it again and put some "water treatment" stuff into the tank before I refilled. Any ideas on the slime? It has been really hot here and the water in the tank is probably as warm as mid 80's and then is heated in the water heater. Is stuff growing in the water tank and heater system?
 
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