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Topic: Auto fill valve issue (Read 815 times) previous topic - next topic

Auto fill valve issue

Time to deal with another issue.  A couple of weeks ago we were dry camping and decided to add a little water to the tank for the trip home, after we dumped.  After filling a little less than half full.  I shut the auto fill valve (AFV) and retracted the water hose.  I then went to wash my hand at the outside faucet.  When I turned on the water pump water started pumping out of the fill hose.  I shut it off and went around to the water bay.  I tried to shut off the AFV manually to no avail.  Whenever I turn on the water pump water comes out of the fill hose.  I was able to get around the problem temporarily by screwing a plug into the hose end. 

I'm thinking I need a new AFV, but I'm wondering if there is a fuse that may be the problem, or if there is something else that may be going on.  The switch light comes on and shuts off normally. 

Any input is welcome, as usual. 

Thanks David

David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #1 –
Perhaps not the auto fill valve but the fresh water check valve instead.

We had the same symptoms.  In ours, the check valve is located behind the back wall of the utility bay.

Photos here http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=315

Specific photo of check valve location The selected media item is not currently available.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #2 –
See, thats why I ask questions.  Is the check valve the brass pice at the 90 on the small tube? I would guess I would order it form Foretravel? Is it possible that my valve is clogged or jammed open and could be cleared? Thanks for you quick response.

I just noticed that my configuration is reversed as my reels are aft of my water services.  So mine may be in a different location.  I'll be checking that out soon.
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #3 –
Michelle is known for rapping a check valve with a rubber mallet. You might want to ask her about that before you buy a new valve! 
Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #4 –
Quote from: txforetravel –
Michelle is known for rapping a check valve with a rubber mallet.

No, no.  That's for Aquahot (and home oil burner) zone valves.

Here's the marked up photo of the fresh water check valve.  You can find them at plumbing supply places (or as a temporary fix find a screw-on one for the fresh water hose at Lowes or Home Depot).  Admittedly, we ended up getting our replacement at FOT because we couldn't find the right size in brass elsewhere.

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #5 –
in short term, get a hose shut off from Home Depot or similar, either a plug, or one of those attachments that has a shut off valve (i had to buy a brass one, the plastic ones leaked around the ball valve and wouldn't hold pressure)

I took out my fill valve (it was behind some panels in water compartment I believe), took it apart, put it back together and it worked fine sense. suspect a small pice of debris caused it to stick open.

I think there are pictures posted that i took, i will look and post if I find them on the forum
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #6 –
Quote from: David and Rita –
Is it possible that my valve is clogged or jammed open and could be cleared?

Maybe, but once you've gone through the effort to locate and remove it for inspection/cleaning, the actual cost of the valve is minimal compared to the hassle of it failing again.  It's something on the order of 10 bucks.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #7 –
Try the "percussive adjustment," a.k.a., hitting it with the rubber mallet. Unless you are too violent, it is not likely to hurt anything and it might help. It's easy, cheap, and sometimes fixes things. If there is a bit of debris in a valve, the rap of the mallet may dislodge the offender.

If the mallet fails to fix the problem, follow the wise counsel of the others who has suggested solutions.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #8 –
I had this problem occur when I tried to refill the tank, so took it apart to find the plastic shuttle was out of position - caused by freezing. That was 32 years ago and it has worked well since.  Or it could also be debris lodging it from shutting off. Good luck

Jim
2002



Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #9 –
David, same problem on our 02.  Replace the check valve. Our is located behind the panel for the maniblock...$14 at hardware store...easy change over.
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #10 –
The switch light on my auto fill system stays on after the tank appears full.  I can listen for the burping sound to stop which I think means the tank is full then I press the AFV switch again to turn off the light.  Is this normal or should the light go out on its own?
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Bill & Donna –
The switch light on my auto fill system stays on after the tank appears full.  I can listen for the burping sound to stop which I think means the tank is full then I press the AFV switch again to turn off the light.  Is this normal or should the light go out on its own?
The light stays on until you turn it off.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Barry Beam –
The light stays on until you turn it off.
But does it automatically shut the water off?
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Here's the marked up photo of the fresh water check valve.  You can find them at plumbing supply places (or as a temporary fix find a screw-on one for the fresh water hose at Lowes or Home Depot).  Admittedly, we ended up getting our replacement at FOT because we couldn't find the right size in brass elsewhere.
We had ours replaced also like Michelle for the same problem and put a cap on the hose until we could get it replaced. . Check Valve G-784
MARSHALL BRASS & GAS CONTROLS G-784 - Marshall Brass Check Valve Brass Backflow
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #14 –
Quote from: JohnFitz –
But does it automatically shut the water off?
Yes thru the auto shut off valve in the tank.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #15 –
 Thanks Barry!  :)
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #16 –
It sounds like the check valve is bad. Ours was in the same place as Michelle's and when I took it out found that the rubber part of the valve had become dislodged and kept it from stopping the back flow. I installed a new one but for about 8 months before doing so, just screwed the plug into the hose, just had to remember to turn off the pump before removing the plug.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #17 –
I got it pulled off last night.  I will be visiting plumbing supply stores today to try and locate a replacement.  On my 2004 mine was on the water line just behind the hose real.  I had to pull the hose real out to get to it....that was fun.  When I first got it off it was seized, after playing with it a bit it now seems to operate as it should.  I will replace it with a new one anyway. 

Once again thanks for all the help. 
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff
 

Re: Auto fill valve issue

Reply #18 –
You can cut into the PEX and add a sharkbite check valve should take about two minutes would not have to remove the old one.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers