How do you Prime the Water Pump - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-16-2016, 01:02 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: MeNo$, Wisconsin
Trailer: 19' - Oct 2o15
Posts: 29
How do you Prime the Water Pump

How do you prime the water pump if it doesn’t do it automatically ?

The trailer (19’-2o15) was on shore connections for the last couple of months. The fresh water tank was empty during that time. We filled it before disconnecting from shore. There are 4 lights showing a full fresh water tank.
Both the hot & cold valves are open. The pump is running. No water.
The system was working perfectly before attaching to the shore system.

I noticed that about half way between the tank & the pump in the clear hose, there is a about 2 feet of hose attached to the valve that just hangs free. I cannot see where it might be attached. The valve is positioned to indicate that the water should be passing through it to the pump.

Any ideas or suggestion as to how to prime the water pump ?

Would attaching the “water purge” adapter to the fresh water fill outlet & a little air pressure prime the pump ? Or would this create another headache ?

How long does one allow the pump to run to prime the system ?

Thank You for any ideas & suggestions ?

uw
OWilly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 01:34 PM   #2
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19
Posts: 22
The valve and short hose are for winterizing the system. When using the trailer the valve should be positioned to pull water from the tank. You can put the short hose into a container of water and see if the pump pulls that water in, if so the valve needs to be switched back to the tank setting.
__________________
Rick & Faye
Mr.B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 01:38 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Check the faucet aerator. Take it apart carefully, making note of what goes where in re-assembling the aerator parts. You may have some debris in the aerator filter that is shutting off flow.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 02:17 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
You have to close all your faucets before the pump will pressurize and turn itself off.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 04:50 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
I've always just left one faucet open, only takes a minute or so.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 05:06 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
float5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
Can take quite a few minutes. Might keep running it.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
float5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 05:45 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,234
Water system

One thing I usually do to make sure I don't have an air lock is to open the pressure relief valve at the top of the hot water system on the outside of the trailer. Sometimes that helps to prime up faster and let's the hot water side flow more quickly. I do this with the heating function off so as not to get scalded.
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 06:49 PM   #8
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave View Post
One thing I usually do to make sure I don't have an air lock is to open the pressure relief valve at the top of the hot water system on the outside of the trailer. Sometimes that helps to prime up faster and let's the hot water side flow more quickly. I do this with the heating function off so as not to get scalded.
Dave
We do that too Dave. Not sure if it makes any difference, but I've gotten into the habit, and it also verifies the water heater is full.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 09:12 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Old Fulica's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Abbotsford, British Columbia
Trailer: 2011 19'
Posts: 223
Quote:
Originally Posted by OWilly View Post
How do you prime the water pump if it doesn’t do it automatically ?

The trailer (19’-2o15) was on shore connections for the last couple of months. The fresh water tank was empty during that time. We filled it before disconnecting from shore. There are 4 lights showing a full fresh water tank.
Both the hot & cold valves are open. The pump is running. No water.
The system was working perfectly before attaching to the shore system.

I noticed that about half way between the tank & the pump in the clear hose, there is a about 2 feet of hose attached to the valve that just hangs free. I cannot see where it might be attached. The valve is positioned to indicate that the water should be passing through it to the pump.

Any ideas or suggestion as to how to prime the water pump ?



Would attaching the “water purge” adapter to the fresh water fill outlet & a little air pressure prime the pump ? Or would this create another headache ?

How long does one allow the pump to run to prime the system ?

Thank You for any ideas & suggestions ?

uw
Have you tried opening a faucet while the pump is running? There may be an airlock between the pump and faucet. Opening the faucet may let the pump push the air out. Not sure what you mean by opening the hot and cold valves unless those are the faucets. if that is the case then ignore this message.
__________________
Long may you run,
Len and Dian

My Blog; https://lenanddian.blogspot.com
Old Fulica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2016, 11:38 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
BRietkerk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Surrey B.C., British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Posts: 150
This happens to us from time to time. I suspect when this occurs the pump is pumping air. I have a length of hose I keep handy which I hold on to the faucet and then draw the air out and water through. The first time this happened I called Tammy and she giggled and said "you have to suck on the tap".
__________________
Brian
BRietkerk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2016, 01:17 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
Quote:
Originally Posted by BRietkerk View Post
This happens to us from time to time. I suspect when this occurs the pump is pumping air. I have a length of hose I keep handy which I hold on to the faucet and then draw the air out and water through. The first time this happened I called Tammy and she giggled and said "you have to suck on the tap".
I definitely have a problem if I turn on the pump after running on water hookups unless I open a faucet. It appears that water pressure on the output of the pump prevents it from drawing from the tank. Dropping the output pressure by opening a faucet (or the toilet) gets the pump start pumping again.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2016, 01:35 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
To make you feel better, I just got a call from Toyota that my water pump is leaking and needs replacement. Parts and labour come to $1,010.78.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2016, 05:27 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
bdornbush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Trailer: 2015 19 foot
Posts: 439
I had this happen to me and it turned out to be a bad pump. The check valve got stuck closed so nothing could flow even though the pump motor worked fine. In fact, Escape replaced it (Shurflo) once with another brand (Artic), and that failed, too, and I had to get a warranty replacement of it, too. I think I have a working pump now. Coincidentally, it first happened after I switched from city water to the pump so I suspect that there was a design or manufacture problem with the check valve in the first pump.
__________________
Bill Dornbush
https://dornbush.net
bdornbush is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2016, 02:01 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Westcliffe, Colorado
Trailer: 2010 EggCamper (#083); 2017 Escape 21 (#053); 2016 F-150 5.0L FX4
Posts: 1,765
I concur with several others. Water naturally flows downhill. If your water pump is mounted on the floor, and the level of water in your fresh water tank is above the pump, then it seems water from the tank should flow naturally down into the pump to fill and "prime" it - provided there is nothing blocking the flow of water such as; 1) a closed cut-off valve at the tank that needs to be turned open, 2) a stuck in-line one-way check valve, or 3) air in the line beyond the pump that needs to be bled out through an open sink/shower/toilet faucet so water can then flow in to replace it. Does your water pump have a settling bulb on the bottom that you can loosen to see if water drips (or gushes) out?
War Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2016, 04:38 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
FWIW, the pump in the new 2nd generation 19 model is mounted on the refer wall, under the bed, with a foam base and flexible hoses to eliminate noise. Quite quiet.....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2016, 04:40 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
PGDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Southern Alberta, Alberta
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 1,734
Our pump in our previous 19 used to do this. We would just suck on the kitchen tap with the valve open and the pump on. Worked every time.
Cheers
Doug
__________________
Cheers
Doug
PGDriver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2016, 05:54 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Quote:
Originally Posted by PGDriver View Post
Our pump in our previous 19 used to do this. We would just suck on the kitchen tap with the valve open and the pump on. Worked every time.
Cheers
Doug
Hi: PGDriver... That wouldn't be bad if you winterized the lines with Vodka!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2017, 06:07 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Mucram's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: boise, Idaho
Trailer: 2018 19'
Posts: 521
Need advice please. Filled the water tank for the 1st time & with bleach to sanitize system. Turned on pump, no water. Tammy said to remove top of pump & push the check valve. It easily pushed in & popped back out as she said it should. Well, still no water. Can't do that sucky thing to the faucet as it is the new one. The stopcocks are not in bypass position but in the horizontal position which is "normal" according to owners manual. In addition, I don't completely understand how the water tank fills....here is how I think it works, open faucet to hot, turn on pump & hot water tank should fill? Also, if pump working correctly, turning on pump with faucet on cold should expel air & then start water flow correct? Well none of that is happening. Frustrating to a new novice owner. Sure could use your expert advice. Thank you! Julie
PS, I assume those "stopcocks" when turned in line are in direction of flow?
Mucram is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2017, 06:26 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
C&G in FL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA (Little Elsie) Extensively Personalized
Posts: 2,960
I would note that if the water heater is empty, it may take a while to fill up, with the faucet seemingly not flowing. If I know I am going to be "off (the water) grid," I fill the water heater before leaving home.
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
C&G in FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2017, 06:31 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Mucram's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: boise, Idaho
Trailer: 2018 19'
Posts: 521
Thanks Carl. I'm @ home & filled fresh water tank. How does the hot water tank get filled?
Mucram is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fresh water tank, prime, water pump

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:17 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.