Water Pump Leak - Shut Off Valve?

[tedb]

Just returned home (why?) to the temporarily frigid Pacific Northwest from a terrific 5-week, 8000 km loop through Utah, Arizona, California and back up the Oregon coast in our "new" 17b which performed great except for one minor problem - in our last few days the water pump began to leak at its base while connected to city water due to the line pressure (even with a reducer). It dripped enough to fill a margarine container (the largest container we had that would fit under the pump) every few hours. Since there is no shut off valve on the spur line that runs to the pump from the city line in the trailer I had to shut off the water supply outside the trailer each night to prevent it from overflowing the container. Since water pumps are susceptible to leaks and line pressure problems it seems like there should be a shut off valve on that spur line to the pump - has anyone put one in? I suppose the only down side to having the valve is forgetting to open it when you are drawing from the tank - however no water flowing from the tap is a pretty strong reminder to open the valve!

[memobug]

Often there's a one way valve installed at the pump outlet to prevent backflow through the pump pressurizing your watertank. I took quick peek at my 19' and didn't see onebut it couldn't anywhere between the pump and the city water manifold. I think the leak you're describing suggests there isn't one, or if there is, it's malfunctioned. You can find Shurflo brand valves for 1/2 or 3/8 lines for under $20 at places like West Marine. You don't want a leak but you really don't want hour water tank to rupture!

Regards,

Matt

[tedb]

Thanks for the suggestion Matt and the West Marine tip - I just checked Shurflo's web site and their pumps do have built-in check valves to prevent back pressure on the tank. Since my pump was leaking from the line pressure but water wasn't going into the tank it appears that the check valve was working on my pump but water in the pump behind the check valve resulted in the leak. However the possibility of a faulty internal check valve in the water pump leading to pressurization on the tank gives even more reason to have a manual shut-off valve in front of the pump on the spur line allowing you to bypass a malfunctioning water pump.
Ted

[reace]

It is not normal for the pump to leak. If the main water line coming out of the pump is tight, then the usual reason for this leak is it has frozen with water in the pump head causing a small crack. I believe you can purchase a replacement pump head.

Reace