Winterizing

[Marie]

Hello we have had our 2012 Jayco Jay Flight 33RLDS for a year now. When we winterized we had trouble with the pump pumping antifreeze thru the lines. We got it done the hard way. We turned on the pump like we had seen in videos we googled and nothing happened. It didn’t pull the antifreeze through the lines. We had to force it in from the outside with a air compressor. How can I trouble shoot this so that it will be easier to do this fall when we close again? We got this used and the place we bought it really did not show us anything. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

[oldmanAZ]

Welcome to the forum.

Frequently the problem can be resolved by elevating the suction hose and pouring antifreeze into it. RV water pumps often are rather weak on suction.

On the other hand, if you read through the winterizing posts on this site you'll find that some of us just drain the water heater and blow out the lines but don't pump antifreeze through the system.

[RedHorse1]

There is probably one or two valves that allow the water source to to be “city water” (hose from a tap), filling the water tank from city water, tank water, or siphoning from a source (winterizing). If the valve(s) are set to city water the pump won’t be able to push water or anti f’ thru the lines. Hopefully someone with your model or similar can shed more light. In the interim, you can inspect the plumbing (start near the pump) looking for valves. As a side note the water heater will likely have a bypass set of valves, should be found behind the WH.

[michael.g]

I am not familiar with your particular model, but in our Bungalow 40 BHQS, there is a valve at the pump that needs to be opened to allow the pump to pull from a source other than the fresh water holding tank. If that valve is not open, the pump will pull from the fresh water tank instead of the hose to use for antifreeze.

If you don't have said valve, you can put a few gallons of anti-freeze in the fresh water tank and winterize from the fresh water tank. Then flush the tank out when you are done winterizing, just make sure the pump is off and no faucets are open while flushing the tank.

-Michael

[Tunce the traveler]

Originally Posted by michael.g

I am not familiar with your particular model, but in our Bungalow 40 BHQS, there is a valve at the pump that needs to be opened to allow the pump to pull from a source other than the fresh water holding tank. If that valve is not open, the pump will pull from the fresh water tank instead of the hose to use for antifreeze.

-Michael

X2 & that valve that needs to be turned is where this hose connects in line with the fresh water tank.
I’m in the process of sanitizing my water lines in this photo.