Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Water tank keeps filling (Read 886 times) previous topic - next topic

Water tank keeps filling

Yesterday we pulled into rv camp and hooked up to city water.  Later on water starts pouring out under the coach.  I turn off city water and the water stops. I figure it's the fill valve gone bad and it's letting the tank fill and over flow. Being Easter I take the fill valve out and put in a ball valve so that I can have water until I can clean or replace valve. I put in the ball valve, hook everything up and all looks ok. Turn the water back on and all is good until I turn on the pump. Pump will slow down but  not stop (like the fill switch is on).  I sitting there staring at the whole mess and then the tank starts over flowing again.  I check and the ball valve I installed is closed but it's still letting the tank fill and the pump won't pressurize. What am I missing? I'm close to copious amounts of alcohol at this point.
Bruce & Teresa
2000 U320 4010
2015 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #1 –
Apparently there is a back flow check valve on the pump that is letting water thru to the tank. Same thing happened to us and I ended up just running off the pump (city water off) until the object-mineral deposit maybe?--dissolved.

Now, all is good. City water hookup works fine.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #2 –
Did you try changing the ball valve position acts like it's in the " fill the tank" position. I hesitate to say open our closed cause I don't know what position my ball valve is when I fill my coach thank. One position fills the tank the other allows me to pressurize my system.

Roland

1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #3 –
There is a check valve at the pump.  If it leaks, the tank can fill and pressure will bleed off, so pump continues to run.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #4 –
If the tank is overflowing with the new valve, it is probably not just a pump problem. No way tank can overflow without shorewater pressure. Does water pump operate normally with no shore water?
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #5 –
Thanks, the overflow only happens when on city (shore) water.  Is the check valve in the pump housing? That's the only thing that makes sense to me is that the city water pressure is going backwards thru the pump. Maybe tomorrow I can get another pump.  I can operate off the pump in the meantime but I have to shut it off with the faucet so it doesn't continue to run.  I thought I had access to another pump from another Foretravel guy but the connections were not compatible.  If it's a check valve can it be replaced instead of the whole pump? Thanks again for the replies.
Bruce & Teresa
2000 U320 4010
2015 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #6 –
Does the 2000 model have the autofill shut off solenoid?  In my coach if on city water and pump on, the pump continuously runs circulating from tank back to tank.

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #7 –
Ball valves are normally made so that when the handle is at right angles to the water lines the valve is closed. Parallel handle to the lines indicates the valve is in the open position.
It is remotely possible you have a valve that works the opposite of the aforementioned, but I doubt it. If it were so I would think there would be some labeling or indicator. Normally the handle has position indicator/function on the handle. Something like open and an arrow and closed with an arrow indicating direction.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #8 –

You might get by with just a repair kit.You have to find your particular pump, but worth checking.
Amazon.com: SHURflo 94-232-06 Water Pump Valve Assembly: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #9 –
Thanks again guys. I've narrowed it down to the pump and tomorrow I'll see if they still carry the replacement head for the 5900 series pump.....probably not (with my luck I could grow pumpkins and they would call off Halloween)!  I suppose I need to see if they have a rebuild kit for the fill valve since I have it off.  May just leave it off and go manual.
Bruce & Teresa
2000 U320 4010
2015 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #10 –
On my coach the problem was the fill solenoid valve was stuck open while shore hose was connected over filling the tank. Removing the the shore hose I turned on the pump and the pump kept cycling and would never pressurized.  Took the fill solenoid apart and found garbage keeping it open. Cleaned and reassembled and it's been fine since.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."
 

Re: Water tank keeps filling

Reply #11 –
On our 1993 Unihome U280 there is a valve tucked away on the bottom shelf (floor level) on the right side inside the bathroom vanity. When we have run into the same situation as you, as apparent tank overflow, we know we have the lever in the wrong position.  With the valve closed the tank will fill and then opening the sink tap just draws on the tank as a reservoir, using the city water pressure as the means of moving it to tap, 
It is worth rummaging around to see if you have a similar (semi-hidden) valve.
Woody & Sandy Lloyd
1993 Grand Villa
Unihome U280
Cummins / Allison
Build # 4379