Winterization - Not pulling antifreeze into kitchen and bathroom faucets

[ScottyGS]

In winterization mode... yes I checked and re-checked... the pump operates but does not pull anti-freeze to the kitchen and bathroom sinks.  I checked all fittings around the pump to make sure they were tight and antifreeze did make it to the pump... but it seems not beyond. 

Any ideas? 

Will cross post to the FB page as well. 

Thanks,

Scotty

 

[jd1923]

Hey Gregg, I might have a fix for you!

First idea, if you truly have antifreeze ALL the way up to the pump, perhaps all you need to do is crack the cold side valve at the sink faucet allowing air in the line after the pump to escape. This simple fix would be great, but perhaps more priming is required.

During April, our son was camping in the Oliver when he ran the fresh water tank down very low, leaving only air in the pump lines. We came out for dinner and I expected I could refill the fresh tank from my 35-gal aux tank on the pickup bed. It would not pump even though our truck was a bit uphill and I had the hose primed to the inlet. First time ever this had occurred. When Chris and I camp, we refill asap after hearing the pump take a little air, that gurgling sound.

Both the Winterization and Boondocking valve configurations, pull from the RR water inlet using the water pump to suction. In either configuration the water pump may need to be primed. I brought the trailer home next morning. Good thing he was camped only 12 miles away!

Connect a pressurized garden hose to the rear inlet. Turn the hose ON, turn your water pump ON and open the cold valve on the kitchen sink faucet. The air will expel out of the faucet and once you have a steady flow of water the line is bled. Close the faucet valve, remove the hose and replace it with your antifreeze line to continue winterization. Give it a try. This should do it! 😂

I have a simple hand pump that I've used to sanitize the City and Fresh water lines. Going forward we'll travel with this pump as it could be used to prime the water pump when a live garden hose is not available. 😎

Edited 4 hours ago by jd1923

[ScottyGS]

Thanks John...

Did not need to go to the water hose extreme.  

Seems the faucets do not like to flow until the pump completely stops running.... and the pump does not like to completely stop running until it's had a little rest.  

So, after a few rest stops for me and the pump...it all worked fine.   I will remember the water hose trick for the future.   And make sure I have a six pack on hand for the next winterization. 

Thanks!

Scotty

[Geronimo John]

1 hour ago, ScottyGS said:

So, after a few rest stops for me and the pump...it all worked fine.   I will remember the water hose trick for the future.   And make sure I have a six pack on hand for the next winterization. 

Just about everytime I winterize, the city water fitting will not take antifreeze I was trying to pump in.  Despite following my instructions to open the shower valve.  This time I opened the sink valve and I could pump in antifreeze.  The system can airlock and opening a valve seems to make the problem disappear.  Now if I can just remember to change my winterization check list.......

GJ