SHURflo water pump

lappir · February 2

Did a search for the info in the title and nothing useful came back so here I go.

During the latest cold snap I disconnected from the "City" water and started using the full fresh water tank. Usually that's not an issue, but I noticed during the night I'd hear the water pump cycle and found some dampness around the pump where it was installed.

The immediate fix was to turn the pump on only when required and that worked well. A couple of days ago I decided to try and investigate further, but really could not see where the pump was, or is leaking. I've removed it from the mount, but left it in the compartment and the compartment has not completely dried yet. (There were plenty of leaks as I was removing the pump and I found my water heater drains back into the fresh tank when all water is shut off.) I now know why my electric heating element failed, apparently when I had the inverter and batteries replaced there was enough current to heat up the element while moving down the road. I'll fix that too.

So I went on line first and of course Amazon came up first in the search, but I'm looking for info about rebuilding the pump. There is a bit of crusting near the outlet side where the housing mates with the plastic hooked to the round motor. I'm wondering if I need to see if there is a "Gasket" set I can use. Anybody taken one apart?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Rod

Kirk W · February 2

2 hours ago, lappir said:

A couple of days ago I decided to try and investigate further, but really could not see where the pump was,

What I have done to find the location of a leak is to wrap a paper towel around each possible location and then test the system for a short time. The towel will show effects from being wet even if it should dry before you get back to it. Locating the source is usually the most difficult part.

2 hours ago, lappir said:

I'm looking for info about rebuilding the pump.

Many pumps do have rebuild kits available but if the leak is from the pump housing that will probably mean replacing the pump. Before you to that make sure that it isn't just a fitting that is leaking.

2 hours ago, lappir said:

I found my water heater drains back into the fresh tank when all water is shut off.

Does the water tank get full when the RV is connected to city water? If so that does mean that the pump is not acting as a check valve as they should. I don't remember having heard of a water heater emptying back to the tank before but if it did with the electric element turned on, it would likely destroy it in time.

Wrknrvr · February 2

First thing is I am glade you figured out the heating element question?

I do remember about a rebuild kit was available. I think I did one years ago. But that is foggy in my mind.

A few years ago mine had a very small leak. I just replaced it. Although I still have the old one. For some reason.

If you do rebuild it. I would suggest that after you get it apart, to use vinegar to remove the stains on the parts. Normally the white stain is calcium deposits. Reddish brown would be iron. Using vinegar will not harm any sealing surfaces. It will probably take numerous applications of vinegar, but is the safest way to do it.

Using any mechanical way may hurt the sealing surfaces.

Hope these thoughts help.

Edited February 2 by Wrknrvr

ms60ocb · February 3

Due some shopping. Last fall I had to winterize for a week, the pumped worked good. Two weeks later put water in the fresh water tank and flushed the water lines on city water. Next day turned on the pump and no water moved. Motor run.

I looked and found a rebuilt kit for my M/N pump. Something like $65 but a new pump (same M/N) was less $100 or pump over $200 at a famous Camp _ parts business.

Clay

Kirk W · February 3

13 hours ago, ms60ocb said:

Something like $65 but a new pump (same M/N) was less $100 or pump over $200

A lot depends on which Sureflo pump you have. Amazon Sureflo pumps

The same is true of Sureflo Rebuild Kits from Amazon or other places.

oldjohnt · February 3

lappir, I have successfully rebuilt a few pumps over many years of RVing no problems (Amazon and E Bay etc can be your friend) HOWEVER if the unit has some age on it,,, and comparing the cost difference plus labor,,,and IFFFFFFFFFFFF I wanted a bit more CFM and/or Pressure,,,or noise level was a concern,, I often just opted for a new unit ....................

PS any leaks on the Suction/Input side are crucial, check for that,,,,,,,,,,,,,Any leaks on the output can damage the RV floor grrrrrrrrrrrrr,,,,,,,,,,,,Check any filters and for any restrictions,,,,,,,,,,,Rebuild or new ONLY you can decide...

John T Live in the RV from Avon Park Florida

Ray,IN · February 3

ms60/Clay these water pumps will not prime when all faucets are closed. To me, it sounds like your pump still had some water in the pump-head, which froze and created a leak.

lappir · February 9

Finished up the inspection and return to service. Sorry no photos, I did think about them, but usually after I'd already done what I could'a, would'a, should'a. I'm not a pro utuber that wakes up, turns on the camera, makes sure it's got the right position and then pretends to sleep and wake up to the camera.

Anyway. Found nothing wrong except some awful plumbing. Why does it seem like there are 40 connections in my little Water/electrical bay? AND once again I ask why is the water and electric in the same location????

When I finally decide to build the solar, batteries, inverters and such One of the systems is being moved to a whole new area. Not sure which one just yet, but it will happen. I think about doing it every time I work on something, but decide if I'm going to do it I only want to do it once.

I put in another shut off that is positive. I don't know why it's there, because it does not seem to work at all, but what looks like a shut off does nothing. The added one works and keeps "City" pressure off the output side of the pump. I also put a pump shut off switch in the bay and removed a "Wire Nut and Tape" connection.

The pump is 90% more quiet in the bay and I may not even hear it at all inside. Not sure what I did to make it more quiet, but I'm happy.

Rod

PS, thanks for the comments and suggestions.

rl