Bad check valve? City water filling fresh water tank.

[ChaosTheory]

Hey there, my SL 161 has been parked for several months at a full-hookup site, but over the last several months I've noticed a constant trickle of water coming from the freshwater tank overflow drains.

My freshwater tank is full and I'm on city connection for water. The only thing I can think of is that the water pump check valve is not working, which then allows city water into the tank. Is that correct?

Is this an easy DIY?

[Camper_bob]

I can't speak to the level of difficulty in replacing that check valve, but I believe your diagnosis to be right on track. That's certainly the first thing I would check in your case...

[ChaosTheory]

Thank you!

[CAG]

I don't know that you do but if you have an Anderson Valve setup for distributing water that too can back load the freshwater tank if an O-ring is bad.

[WeRJuliian]

You might try running the tank pump a few times. We had the same issue ( it's apparently quite common)

I found that cycling the pump apparently "reset" the valve, and fixed the problem. You might also want to take a close look at the mesh screens on your water inlets, in case grit has got in, to gum up the works.

Certainly worth trying, before you go to the trouble of replacement.

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by WeRJuliian

You might try running the tank pump a few times. We had the same issue ( it's apparently quite common)

I found that cycling the pump apparently "reset" the valve, and fixed the problem. You might also want to take a close look at the mesh screens on your water inlets, in case grit has got in, to gum up the works.

Certainly worth trying, before you go to the trouble of replacement.

I've tried this a couple times. Is there a specific order (turn off city water, run pump, allow pressure to release, turn city water back on, etc)?

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory

I've tried this a couple times. Is there a specific order (turn off city water, run pump, allow pressure to release, turn city water back on, etc)?

Turn off the city water and relieve pressure by turning on a faucet. Close faucet. Turn on the pump switch and let it build pressure until it stops. At this point you'll be drawing water from your fresh tank. Open and close a faucet repeatedly while allowing the pump to pressure up the system each time. By doing this you're "exercising" the pump and hopefully it'll reset the backflow valve.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

Turn off the city water and relieve pressure by turning on a faucet. Close faucet. Turn on the pump switch and let it build pressure until it stops. At this point you'll be drawing water from your fresh tank. Open and close a faucet repeatedly while allowing the pump to pressure up the system each time. By doing this you're "exercising" the pump and hopefully it'll reset the backflow valve.

I might add one additional step. That is turn off the pump at the switch and release the water pressure (open a faucet), all while the city water is turned off. My thought is to get a larger pressure change across the valve, while exercising it.

[ChaosTheory]

Thanks, I'll let you know if it works!

[ChaosTheory]

Update: I've played with the pump/water pressure as suggested, and it's still leaking-- but not all the time. I'm not sure why it would leak one day and not another.

One way to look at it is that it's keeping my fresh water tank refreshed with a slow water recycle *shrugs*, but obviously wasting water. Mobile RV repair guy working on a unit next door said the water pump will likely need to be replaced at total cost around $300. Apparently that's the only way to also replace the check valve.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory

Update: I've played with the pump/water pressure as suggested, and it's still leaking-- but not all the time. I'm not sure why it would leak one day and not another.

One way to look at it is that it's keeping my fresh water tank refreshed with a slow water recycle *shrugs*, but obviously wasting water. Mobile RV repair guy working on a unit next door said the water pump will likely need to be replaced at total cost around $300. Apparently that's the only way to also replace the check valve.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.

DIY for less than $100. Water pumps are easy to replace.

[mboy]

google is the answer.
replacing fresh water check valve and pump RV:
https://www.google.com/search?client...4dUDCAo&uact=5


https://www.google.com/search?client...v&channel=cus2