No Water Pump Siphon for Winterizing

[SuddenRush]

2015 Jayco Seneca FS

I went to winterize the lines in our Jayco this weekend, and the water pump wouldn't siphon through the lines. I would siphon about an inch of anti-freeze from the bottle but would then stagnate there. When I turned off the pump, the previously siphoned anti-freeze would run back to the jug.

The holding tanks/fresh water tank are empty. I verified all the drain valves were closed. I have siphoned bleach water into the fresh tank several times this year since we primarily boondock at the racetrack and use the pump often. Never had an issue.

I tried putting some water in the fresh tank, and just running it normally, and all the pressures seems to be good at all water outlets. Switched the valves back to winterize lines, and still no joy. Also, I tried to just siphon to the fresh tank, and that didn't work either.

Any thoughts?

[Rnagel951]

You need to remove the screen / check valve from the input. fitting. I had the same problem my first year.

[Tadsher]

Originally Posted by SuddenRush

2015 Jayco Seneca FS

I went to winterize the lines in our Jayco this weekend, and the water pump wouldn't siphon through the lines. I would siphon about an inch of anti-freeze from the bottle but would then stagnate there. When I turned off the pump, the previously siphoned anti-freeze would run back to the jug.

The holding tanks/fresh water tank are empty. I verified all the drain valves were closed. I have siphoned bleach water into the fresh tank several times this year since we primarily boondock at the racetrack and use the pump often. Never had an issue.

I tried putting some water in the fresh tank, and just running it normally, and all the pressures seems to be good at all water outlets. Switched the valves back to winterize lines, and still no joy. Also, I tried to just siphon to the fresh tank, and that didn't work either.

Any thoughts?

I had the same problem as you a few days ago, I tilted the gallon jug of antifreeze and lowered the hose so the pump got a little antifreeze and it started to work fine. I'm thinking that my pump might be a little weak.

[EricM22]

Pump is too weak for the intended application.

I get it to work every season by funneling antifreeze down the hose to prime the pump, then place the jug higher than the inlet (on a ladder or something) and THEN it works.

Just putting the hose into the antifreeze, no way. Fails every time.

[RVermont]

My go to method. Reverse the screen on the inlet to open the check valve. Remove the filter housing and filter. Fill the filter with antifreeze. I then fill a 5 gallon water carboy with antifreeze. I got a water container from Home Depot. This way you don't have to run out every few minutes. I put the jug on a chair so part of the solution is above the inlet. This provides a good positive head on the pump. I then turn the pump on and open the low point drain and wait util the pump starts to pump. I then close the cold low point and open the hot low point until that starts to flow. Normally at this point the pump will stop as the system becomes full. Finally I go in and start to open the various faucets.

[mrmom]

Open the kitchen faucet while trying to start the siphon. Too much air in the lines to get things started. Same thing in the spring when you try to get water to pull from the fresh water tank for the first time.

[norty1]

What is needed is an outlet open somewhere like a faucet to allow the pump to push air out and prime itself. On my rig, I just turn on the cold side of my outside shower until water comes out, then turn it off and proceed to go thru your winterizing.

[SuddenRush]

Thanks everyone. Looks like it was the inlet filter was completely clogged, and I had a little bit of a air pocket that I was able to purge using the advice above.

Seems like one of my bottles of antifreeze had gone bad (if that's a thing) and had small white crystals in it. That's what clogged it up. After cleaning the filter initially, I was able to get some antifreeze to the kitchen. Then when I went to switch bottles, I ran out of flow again. Filter was clogged again. Cleaned it and looked in the bottle to see the white stuff. Switched to a third bottle, no more issues

As always, this forum saves the day

[Tadsher]

Well I will have to check my pump inlet filter filter!

[RVermont]

Out of curiosity what brand of rv antifreeze did you use? I want to avoid that brand.

[SuddenRush]

It was very old, and previously opened. I found it while cleaning up the garage and tried not to waste it. I honestly don't remember the brand, I think it was just fact that it was opened for a long time (thinking multiple years).

In the end, the inlet filter did it's job.. I was going to start by replacing the pump. I never even considered a simpler solution.. I'm glad I checked here first

[garywilson]

Originally Posted by EricM22

Pump is too weak for the intended application.

I get it to work every season by funneling antifreeze down the hose to prime the pump, then place the jug higher than the inlet (on a ladder or something) and THEN it works.

Just putting the hose into the antifreeze, no way. Fails every time.

x2

[SuddenRush]

Once I cleaned the filter I had no issue siphoning from the anti freeze jug while it sat on the ground.

[32Pinnical]

I had the same problem and priming the hose and elevating the antifreeze jug works every time!

[jvteach77]

I got one of these from amazon to sanitize my lines. I'm guessing you could use it to add antifreeze too, it just would take longer. It makes the pump unnecessary.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jerry713]

I’ve found blowing the lines out with air to work a lot better for me and I don’t worry about the antifreeze growing mold in the water lines which is possible if there’s an air source. Granted I don’t live in a cold environment but the air does a good job at removing water from the lines.

[Sandman92]

Glad you got it fixed. Another problem l’ve run into is a crack in the siphon hose or fitting. It may not leak fluid and can be hard to see while still allowing air in.