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Topic: Can't get fresh water into holding tank (Read 1147 times) previous topic - next topic

Can't get fresh water into holding tank

I went to put fresh water in the holding tank this morning and nothing happened. I turned the switch on, its electronic. I called Motorhomes of Texas, where we bought it in the fall and was advised to use the manuel lever on the other side of the coach, by a small blue tank, I assume the water pump.Turned it to the on position and still nothing! Anybody have any thoughts?
Greg and Viv
2001 U320 36'
Build 5907

2007 Honda CRV

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #1 –
Quote from: jimmyhaggis –
I went to put fresh water in the holding tank this morning and nothing happened. I turned the switch on, its electronic. I called Motorhomes of Texas, where we bought it in the fall and was advised to use the manuel lever on the other side of the coach, by a small blue tank, I assume the water pump.Turned it to the on position and still nothing! Anybody have any thoughts?

Steve has a photo of the fill valve in the photo section The selected media item is not currently available.
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: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #2 –
By looking at the picture, seems the same except I have a small blue tank there as well. I'll post a picture tomorrow morning, when theres daylight.
Greg and Viv
2001 U320 36'
Build 5907

2007 Honda CRV

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #3 –
Quote from: jimmyhaggis –
By looking at the picture, seems the same except I have a small blue tank there as well. I'll post a picture tomorrow morning, when theres daylight.

I think that might be your accumulator 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: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #4 –
Quote from: jimmyhaggis –
By looking at the picture, seems the same except I have a small blue tank there as well.

The blue tank is the accumulator/pressure tank.  It helps deliver constant flow (rather than pulsing) when the water pump isn't a variable speed model.  It shouldn't be in the city water or the" fill the tank" equation, just in the "pump out of the fresh tank" loop.

The cross-shaped handle on top of the fill valve is the manual flow control.  If you open it up (I believe righty-tighty, lefty-loosey works here), it should allow more water to flow into the tank.  Closing it (tightening it down) slows then stops the flow.  The rectangular brick plugged into it is the solenoid activated when you flip the "water fill" switch.  Make sure your main 12V cutoff near the entry door wasn't accidentally switched off or this won't work (nor will anything else on house 12V except LP and CO detectors).  You should be able to hear the water fill solenoid click (it might take 2 of you - one in the coach to flip the switch, one at the open water bay to listen closely).  You can also sometimes feel the water flow through the fill switch.

If you hear the switch open, the cross-shaped handle is open, and you aren't getting water into the fresh tank, it might be the check valve in the city water line.  Location might be coach dependent.  We think ours is immediately behind the fresh water fill inlet in the utility bay.  I believe Jeff and Carol's was just below the manibloc in the water bay.  I think they had a similar issue in their '02 last summer and it was the check valve.

Not sure if this helps, hope it does.

Michelle
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: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #5 –
Sometimes a sharp rap on a stuck check valve will free it up.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #6 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
Sometimes a sharp rap on a stuck check valve will free it up.

I believe Dave Katsuki coined the phrase "percussive adjustment"  :))

-M
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: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #7 –
I turned the black knob located on top of the hoses and still nothing. Checked the switch by the front door, in on position. Taking it to an RV dealer in the morning, who said he may know the problem.
Greg and Viv
2001 U320 36'
Build 5907

2007 Honda CRV

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #8 –
We lived through that, as well.  Hence ... we named our coach "The Problem Child", because of all the things that kept bugging us.  Our water fill problem was a faulty check valve ... but where was it????  That particular hunt took weeks, and we solicited help from Foretravel experts (schematics), Motorhomes of Texas experts, RV techs ... and we just started ripping out the panels in all the bays.  Finally finally finally, we found it.  Another cheap fix ... that took waaaaay too long to finally achieve! 

I am renaming the coach ... it is no longer "The Problem Child" ...
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #9 –
Hi Carol, I'm not sure what we're going to name ours, I don't dare say what I'm thinking to call it...
Greg and Viv
2001 U320 36'
Build 5907

2007 Honda CRV

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #10 –
I bequeath the "Problem Child" to you ... you can pass it on when you are done. 

The other water fill problem might be one of the solenoids that work the water fill valve.  You have to hear them clicking.  I have had my head in so many odd places in this coach!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #11 –
Yes, the trick is to find the water fill check valve.

In my 2002 320, I discovered it inside the Manibloc compartment against the rear wall and at the floor. Light freezing had caused with the shuttle to be held against the seat thus blocking flow. I took it apart and re-centered the shuttle and spring. It would be "replacement time" if the check valve housing is cracked.

It check valve also could also be behind of the water fill compartment panel ...anywhere from behind the water fill hose to the water tank. inlet.
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #12 –
I understand what you mean, I've been sticking my head and peering here and there, the highway noise from the freeway makes it hard to hear!
Greg and Viv
2001 U320 36'
Build 5907

2007 Honda CRV

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #13 –
The manibloc compartment is where we finally located our check valve (although a call to James Triana did not give us this information). We were first advised that it was probably behind the panel in the utility bay. What a job THAT is!!  You have to remove almost everything (faucets, soap dispensers that may be in the way, caulk, trim strips, etc.  Then, you have to bust your knuckles and strain your marriage vows to create a team to wangle the pieces apart enough to peek inside and begin loosening other connections.  We were able to see enough to realize that there was nothing that looked like a check valve behind the panel. (Other folks with more expertise and better brains have cut the panels into sections that will enable an easier removal, should the need arise a second time.)  If you have a 2002 coach, I would begin by looking behind the fabric covered panel that covers the manibloc plumbing unit.  This is on the passenger side of the coach opposite the utility bay.  Comes off very easily, and our check valve was exactly where Jim Frerichs found his.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Carol Savournin –
The manibloc compartment is where we finally located our check valve (although a call to James Triana did not give us this information). We were first advised that it was probably behind the panel in the utility bay. What a job THAT is!! 

We had ours replaced and it was behind the panel in the utility bay.  :-( Very tough to work in there.
I finally cut that panel in half so I could get inside without having to disassemble everything in the future.

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: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #15 –
Manibloc???  And then I found this:  Manibloc Repair. 

So now I feel blessed that I have never seen anything like that on my coach!!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Can't get fresh water into holding tank

Reply #16 –
You have the same year as me.  If it is the original valve there is no manual bypass on it.  It is back behind the pump and the accumulator tank.  It is brass on the top.  You can move the switch with a magnet and see if that works.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon