water pump

[livinthegoodlife]

We went camping this weekend to an electric site.  We had a full water tank. We primed the lines to get all the air out. Later while flushing the toilet instead of the water pump making the long growl noise made two short pulsating growls. There was water coming out, but very minimal.  This has happpened one other time, but seemed to resolve itself after a day or two. Then it started making a squeaking noise like something was wrong with a seal after the growl.

Then this morning my husband was taking a shower when the kitchen sink started to gurgle. Then all of a sudden water spurted up out of the drain.  After this, we couldn't get the water to go back down.

Does anyone have a clue?

[tinkeringtechie]

Sounds like your grey tank is full. I'm not sure about the pump issue, but I think the two symptoms are unrelated.

[shovelhead]

Agree with TT.  My water pump surges and is loud.  Drain the grey tank and try again.  Lots of info here about greytank issues.

[livinthegoodlife]

The pump was pulsating and very little water was coming into the toilet right after we got there and set up.  There was nothing in the grey tank at that point. This is the second time this has happened with the pump making that noise and the water problem with the toilet.  I can see after three days the grey tank being full though. We did go a bit heavy with dishes and showers. The freshwater tank was full when we got there.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Describe what you mean by the pump was pulsating. Was it starting and stopping or was it running continuously with a varying pitch. If the former, and assuming the pump is good, there may be a restriction in the toilet line. Does the water run OK in the kitchen? If the latter, and assuming adequate water in the tank, there may be an air leak in the water intake line either at the pump or at the FW tank. Make sure the antifreeze winterization valve is fully closed.
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[livinthegoodlife]

Pulsating was probably not the right word to use.  The pump would growl,then growl again(two short growls) when the toilet was flushed. Water ran fine in the kitchen and shower with the pump on a continuous growl. There was another noise also with the pump. It almost sounded like a squeak with air was escaping a seal. We will check tomorrow to make sure that the antifreeze winterization valve is fully closed. What kind of restriction would be in the toilet line?

[charliem]

[font size="3"]The fact that the water runs in the sink and shower with a continuously running pump indicates the pump intake, including a closed antifreeze valve, are all OK. The pump has a pressure sensor that starts the pump when water is used and pressure drops. It sounds like water is flowing very slowly in the toilet causing the pump to cycle on and off. You can duplicate this by turning on a sink faucet just a little bit. The resulting small trickle will cause the pump to cycle. If this duplicates the pump sound from the toilet problem it confirms an obstruction. The most probable is crud in the foot pedal valve. There are instructions in the Dometic manual on removing the valve from the bottom rear of the toilet. I'd suggest checking here for debris in the line or valve. Flush the open hose into a bucket when you get the valve off. Sometime debris from fabrication or installation can collect. You also should check the screen in the kitchen faucet for the same thing. Sort of like the aluminum shavings, only plastic   
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[livinthegoodlife]

We are thinking that it might be an obstruction in the toilet line. It is getting a little late tonight to get into that.  We will try tomorrow after we get off work.  I will keep you updated on the results. Thanks!!!

[livinthegoodlife]

Charlie, You are a lifesaver!! We flushed the line and everything works perfect now!! We will check the sink screen this weekend.
Thanks again!!

[peislander]

[quote source="/post/13543/thread" timestamp="1437705574" author="@livinthegoodlife"]Charlie, You are a lifesaver!! We flushed the line and everything works perfect now!! We will check the sink screen this weekend.
Thanks again!!
[/quote]Cheers that it is now working. How did you flush the line?

[livinthegoodlife]

There is a valve in the rear of the bottom of the toilet.  You have to remove it and flush the line into a bucket.  We had a bit of stuff come out (looked like balled up tiny plastic stuff).  Reassembled, tried the pump again and voila...Charlie his my hero!!

[charliem]

[font size="3"]There is also a filter at the pump input that should be checked. It is a small screw on glass bowl right at the pump. I collects debris from the FW tank.
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[livinthegoodlife]

Thanks...will do!