Winterizing problem

[Desfree]

We have a 2017 Jayco Grayhawk 31DS that is new to us. Yesterday we began the process of winterizing it, carefully following the steps in the owners manual. (It is equipped with an instant hot water heater so it is without a bypass.) With the wife inside the camper to monitor things and the hot water open on all of the faucets and showers, I turned on the pump after making sure the water controls were set to 'Winterize/Sanitize Lines'. I ran in a couple of gallons of RV antifreeze then the wife said, "shouldn't something be coming out of the faucets by now or at least air hissing?". I turned off the pump, walked around the camper and discovered that I had opened the two low point drains on the passenger side instead of closing them! I closed them and tried again but the water pump would not draw any antifreeze from the jug. And ideas? Freezing weather coming!
Thanks in advance.

 

[Grumpy]

Did you flip the cone screen on the hose connection? Sometimes they can stop the pump from siphoning properly even though it worked the first time. Also I would only open one faucet that is the closets to the pump.

 

[Desfree]

Thank you Grumpy, I will try your suggestions.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

I spent an hour last year trying to get the pump to suck the antifreeze. Finally, I put the filter back into the water filter canister, and it worked immediately. This year, I used no antifreeze. 40psi air and blew out all the water.
BTW, you really should not turn on all faucets to start. Do them one at a time. If they are all turned off, the pump will build pressure and shut off, that is of course if you close the low point drains. ��. Sorry, had to do it.

 

[Desfree]

Good advice, thanks. And I don't blame you a bit for the last comment!��

 

[stu stoner]

...and put a used water bottle (with the cap on) in the filter housing......uses less antifreeze.

 

[dvspl]

I spent an hour last year trying to get the pump to suck the antifreeze. Finally, I put the filter back into the water filter canister, and it worked immediately. This year, I used no antifreeze. 40psi air and blew out all the water.
BTW, you really should not turn on all faucets to start. Do them one at a time. If they are all turned off, the pump will build pressure and shut off, that is of course if you close the low point drains. ��. Sorry, had to do it.

Best to do the faucets one at a time. Start with them all closed then open cold water on the faucet that's farthest from the pump. When you get pink there, close the cold and open the hot. Repeat for each faucet working your way back toward the pump. Don't forget the outdoor shower if you have one.

 

[pconroy]

Thank you Grumpy, I will try your suggestions.

Flip the cone screen, make sure the hose connections are tight (I use teflon tape) as any air infiltration could sabotage the pump's ability to pull.

[ Water heater turned off! ]

I too start with all faucets off.
Then, since I'm outside, it's pump on and I crack the outside shower valves open. Vents the air in the lines.


After that, I start with the kitchen cold. It's almost a whole gallon before the kitchen lines start to show the AF.

 

[JandK-JAY]

I winterized my 2006 Greyhawk for the first time this year (moved from a warmer climate), and I had the same issue. I tried a few different things, but I found that cycling one of the manifold valves back and forth freed an air lock or something. The pump pulled the antifreeze just fine after that.

 

[Incampnut]

I winterized my 2006 Greyhawk for the first time this year (moved from a warmer climate), and I had the same issue. I tried a few different things, but I found that cycling one of the manifold valves back and forth freed an air lock or something. The pump pulled the antifreeze just fine after that.

Same here