whale submersible waterpump

[bikeruk]

Hi all.
We have just purchased our first caravan.an elddis mistral gt.all looks and works well except.... We have no running water.we have the above pump.we have plugged it in and it seems to be pumping quite strongly. Water is moving thru the blue filter and water flies out when the filter is removed.but as soon as it is all connected up and we open the taps to purge the pipework......nothing.pump runs and switches off on micro switches. There just doesn't seem enough pressure of water to clear the air out of the system. I have disconnected some pipework close to the pump inlet and water comes into the van.as soon as i reconnect it all back up and get it running again we have nothing.have ordered a new pump but any help and advice would be great.many thanks.Paul & jen.

 

[Damian]

If the pump is pumping strongly, then the problem is in the pipework.
First thing to check are the tap filters on the ends of the taps.

When you say no water to van when all connected , does that mean both hot and cold?

 

[bikeruk]

Hi and thanks for the swift reply.no hot or cold water at all.i did manage to fill the system with the aid of a hosepipe.but again as i coupled up the pump all the water pumped out that i put in but nothing from the submersible followed thru.i even tried to blow and suck the air out (by mouth) still no joy.seems like the pump is not strong enough to push the air out of the system.thanks paul

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Have you got the drain tap closed??

 

[bikeruk]

Yep.drain tap closed from the heater and from the pipework.pump just does not want to fill the system as soon as it is all coupled up.uncouple the pump and water goes everywhere. Put it all back together start pump and nothing moves.can't even feel any air coming thru the taps or from anywhere else.cheers paul

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Is the non-return valve stuck in the closed position?

 

[bikeruk]

Thats one think we haven't checked.would that be by where we plug the pump in? Little bit clueless with this but will have a look tomorrow. Thanks paul

 

[IBH]

If you look into the small tube that the pump connects to, you will see a black rubber head. Try very gently to push this in through the 4 gaps. But, be gentle as the rubber could get damaged. If that solves the problem the best advice would be to get a small kit of parts and replace that no-return valve, it is not difficult to do. Hope this helps.

 

[bikeruk]

Many thanks for all the advice.we now have running water ( but not as you know it) the non return valve would not open.it seemed to be hitting the back of the 90 degree pipe fitting.so it was a case of getting an xtra piece of hosw and removing the 90 degree piece of pipe.fitting said xtra piece of hose to the non return valve.jubilee clip.start pumb and bingo! Water.just can't understand why the valve would not open up when the standard pipework was fitted.hopefully it won't blow off but seems very tight.will monitor it and look out for anymore advice.really looking forward to our first trip next week after 35 years of camping and two years in a campervan. Thanks again.Paul & jen