Water pump no water

Hey all,

Got the issue back again, away for weekend down I Corfe castle, filled up with water and level van, turned taplease on at control panel own been running for about 20 minster and still no water, just noise format pump, getting good totally fed up now, van back to service centre yet again end of month, why put a £12.00 pump in a 63grand van, what's the name of those pumps I hear people have upgraded to? Is it sureflow or something like that???
Cheers

Sean

Shurflo Trail King.

Delighted with ours since having it fitted.

It works!!!!!!!

Someone needs to turn off predictive text.

The water system is connected together by push fittings. Mine come apart regularly adjacent to the pump and I get the symptoms you describe. I push them back together and everything is fine for a month or two. 
Best of luck!

Problem is on my van I have one of those cheap pumps apparently £12.00 ones and it's mounted in the water tank, people I have spoken to regarding this also said cheep parts don't do the job and have upgraded to the shurflo pumps and no issues at all, I can't carry on like this, going to Italy soon and I eint putting up with this

We intend to replace our inadequate whale pump with a Shurflo Trail King soon. We had similar problems to you the day before we took our van to AS in Willersey for a habitation check this month. Like yours the pump was running but not pumping, i.e. air in the system. Mark immediately looked at it for us, saying that moving the vehicle backwards and forwards to slosh the water round the tank can help to get the pump working. Well ours kicked into life, possibly down to the 40 mile trip to Willersey. Athough this is not acceptable with such an expensive van, it is a possible solution when desperate! As said, we are contemplating AS fitting a Shurflo pump for us. I understand it will cost between £150 - £250 depending on how complicated it is to fit. 
Going by the number of postings on this site regarding these inadequate whale pumps, and I guess subsequent complaints to AS about them, since we bought ours new in 2014, AS must be fully aware of this problem (At least 3 years!). Mark told us recently that someone who has ordered a new van has asked for a Shurflo pump to be fitted! So why are they are still fitting these rubbish whale pumps? Why does the AS management and factory continue to ignore its loyal customers? Getting things right can only enhance AS's position in the market and their profits! It's a real mystery to me.

All I can say is thank goodness for Mark. 

Pete

Masai Warrior wrote:So why are they are still fitting these rubbish whale pumps?

Hi Pete

I think the basic reason is surprisingly, all down to cost. That pump is just one small part of the very complex water management system in the van, which would cost quite a lot to re-configure, with a significantly different wiring loom etc., etc.. Don't forget it has to marry in with the Sargent control panel, which has several options devoted to the Whale's various functions.

I know some people are happy with the filling system, but theirs works - so that's good for a start! I'm among the others who think it's a daft idea for a motorhome. Great for caravans, and there it should have stayed!

It seems A/S tacitly agree, since they have gone back to fitting the "hole in the wall" filler as well as the Whale. The impression I got when reading between the lines of a conversation with Mark, is that it's actually cheaper to fit the complete Whale system than to spend time altering all the complicated circuitry in the wiring loom etc., in order to leave it off the build.

In the short term that makes sense, but after all this time one would think they might have got the message. "KISS"!! 

Dave, I completely agree with you. Regarding the 'hole in the wall', we asked to for it to be fitted when we ordered the van, as we knew people were having problems with the whale pump and being ex caravanners we weren't impressed with it. Also we had 'a hole in the wall' on our previous Pollensa.

Pete

Our van is going back to A/S next month for unrelated work and we're thinking of having the Shuflo fitted at the same time if it can be done. We've been thinking about this for some time now. One question for Dave, if we have it fitted will the whale filler still work?We use it to top up at sites from a bottle with a submersible, which is handy.

 I must admit to filling it with water last weekend and it only took a few minutes to coax the water through. Nevertheless I am worried that the fitted pump is flimsy and could go any time.

Harry

The water pump in the van that sens water to the taps has nothjng to do with the Whale filling system. The teo are entirely separate. FYI I had a submefsible pump on my Hymer for 11 years (when I PXed it for the Lancashire. No issues experienced. I think it may have been a Whale but not sure. Pumps fail more from running them dry than anything else. I think a Shurflo csn withstand thzt abuse, which may explakn their popularjty.

Hi ,I too had a submersible in my Hymer for 8Yrs ,no problems .The submersible in my Nuevo lasted barely 2 Yrs before waving the white flag! I was very very careful not to run it dry and it still expired , ive fitted a Shurflow , and its nice to know it can be run dry and its still OK, although old habits die hard so I don't run this one dry either!! Best of luck getting it sorted a M/H without a reliable water system isn't recommended .    Regards     Paul

PS. I meant to add I personally think Dave  "GROMIT"  ought to be employed by A/S as Technical Director!!! Might sort them out!   Regards   Paul

If every tank had a proper hatch in it that was not silicone shut ( see other thread) then changing the water pump is no more than a five minute job. Our in tank whale pump is 5 years old now, no bother at all but I carry a spare just in case.

Spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar comes to mind when looking at nearly all motorhomes no matter what stable.

We now mostly go on long trips, and Sod's law it'll go just as we cross the channel, so bearing in mind the van is already going to A/S  we've decided to go ahead. I thought we'd still keep the Truma filler as we had this on our previous van with a Shurflo, but wanted to check anyway, so thanks. 

Thanks, H.

Hi H, 

We are also thinking of having our freshwater whale pump replaced with a Shurflo. Spoke to Mark, who suggested the hab battery under the seat would need to be rotated 90 degrees to give space for the Shurflo on the floor next to relevant pipes and Truma Heater. Sounds good to me, as long as there is room to inspect the fuse box. 

Is your Broadway like ours, an EB model?

I would be interested to see how you get on. I have just asked Mark for a quote.

We had a 'hole in the wall' freshwater filler hole installed when we bought the van three years ago. No issues at all. Though we still have the original whale filler.


Pete

Hello to you all.  This is my first entry onto the forum as a new owner of a Bourton.  Guess what, went out on our first trip and could not in any way shape or form get water through the taps.  I tried all I could think of but to no avail.  Just today took motorhome in for warranty work to be told it was an air lock.  When I asked how would you fill the water tank? The reply was fill in normal manor and try the pump about twenty times.  If that fails hit the tank underneath to release the air.  Not impressed.  Not heard of SHURFLO until today, sounds a good idea.  Are motorhomes like cars and can we demand a recall and have these cheap pumps replaced.  I wonder

Our van is a EK model and we're hoping it will fit in the offside locker between the battery and the wardrobe. Our previous van had a Shurflo and if it's the same size this shouldn't be a problem. Will let you know how we get on, it'll be done in May. 

On your Bourton, when the tanks are drained make sure you open the taps, including the shower, in the middle position. I then fill the tank, then the water heater, and the cold water comes through fairly easily. The water from the hot tank is trickier, so I've found closing the kitchen and shower tap, and teasing it through the bathroom washbasin first. To do this I get it flowing from cold and then gradually turn the tap to the hot side until it flows. When the bathroom is flowing freely I then do the same with the kitchen tap. Your suggestion about a recall sounds interesting.

H

Thanks for the comments, harrysp.  I am prepared to try anything and fingers crossed.  Although the more I read about Shurflo, that may well be the way to go.  ARE YOU READING THIS AUTO-SLEEPER!!

troublesomeriver wrote:  Are motorhomes like cars and can we demand a recall and have these cheap pumps replaced.  I wonder

Very unlikely.

The problem is the cheap pumps do work - eventually, so A/S will be very reluctant (for that read refuse) to replace them under warranty.

They are constantly shooting themselves in the foot with this system, as their reputation is taking a hammering on here, and no doubt elsewhere. There are so many owners who are having, or have had a load of trouble with it - us included.

Sorry, this won't help much, but the Shurflo is what you need, without a doubt.

Dave, you will be interested to know that, after a recent quote from Mark at AS, we are now booked in for the fitting of a Shurflo Trail King pump at the beginning of June. It is our choice of date, having been told they are only taking bookings for work after 12th May, as they are quite busy. As thought, with the Broadway EB, it will require the battery to be rotated by 90 degrees to accommodate the pump. Also they will be removing the original temperamental whale pump from the fresh water tank.

I will let everyone know how it goes. Following fitting, we plan to stay on a site near Willersey for a few days to put the new Shurflo pump through its paces! Hopefully we won't need to go back!

Pete

As I've said on a previous post....I had to replace my ceased water pump last year.....quite an easy job, and the pump, being a Shurflow, was original one, now 23 years old.....hoping the new Shurflow pump lasts as long.....however, at 96, I might not be motorhoming. 

Masai Warrior wrote:Dave, you will be interested to know that, after a recent quote from Mark at AS, we are now booked in for the fitting of a Shurflo Trail King pump at the beginning of June. It is our choice of date, having been told they are only taking bookings for work after 12th May, as they are quite busy. As thought, with the Broadway EB, it will require the battery to be rotated by 90 degrees to accommodate the pump. Also they will be removing the original temperamental whale pump from the fresh water tank.

I will let everyone know how it goes. Following fitting, we plan to stay on a site near Willersey for a few days to put the new Shurflo pump through its paces! Hopefully we won't need to go back!

Pete

Do you know the area Pete?

There are two or three sites I could recommend. Just been to one of them, the C&MC at Cirencester, and enjoyed it - for the umpteenth time. Good site and a lovely interesting town.

Rotating the battery is no problem. They moved ours as it was fitted right in the middle of the storage space. Typical lack of common sense and attention to detail!   I shall be surprised if you have to go back. It's such a superior pump, and is so well tried and tested over the years that it's practically bomb proof.

seanroberts037 wrote:Problem is on my van I have one of those cheap pumps apparently £12.00 ones and it's mounted in the water tank, people I have spoken to regarding this also said cheep parts don't do the job and have upgraded to the shurflo pumps and no issues at all, I can't carry on like this, going to Italy soon and I eint putting up with this

Our cheap £12 pump packed up in France at the start of a long trip. I rang A/S and they sent me a new pump. Cost me £35 inc postage!
When the pump arrived, the old one started working again and was trouble free for another 2 years when we sold the van, and as far as I know is still working fine.
I still have the spare, but our new (20 year old) van has a Shurflow pump mounted outside the inboard tank. A much more sensible way to fit one

Dave, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. It's not the Shurflo pump I am concerned about, it's the fitting! But I am sure it will be OK.

We will try the Cirencester C&MC site, we have never been there before. Looking forward to it.

Pete

Masai Warrior wrote:Dave, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. It's not the Shurflo pump I am concerned about, it's the fitting! But I am sure it will be OK.

We will try the Cirencester C&MC site, we have never been there before. Looking forward to it.

Pete

Hi Pete

Off topic, but may be of interest to others who have to visit Willersey.

It's 30 miles to the south, but could make it into a very pleasant short break.
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You can walk to the town quite easily through the Bathurst Estate Park. Turn left out of the site, over the cattle grid then immediately right across the field to pass to the right of the tennis courts. Through the gate, turn left, then you will be on the (spectacular) drive with the town to the right.

Jesse Smith butchers is superb. Just past the Corinium Museum. Try their lamb and apricot pies, and the hot cheese and bacon turnovers. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Keith's delicatessen (same street toward town) does a wonderful cheese and ham, or vegetable rosti, with delicious salad for a light lunch. A bit quaint with high stools at a long bar, but a good old fashioned deli.
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Don't miss Gardiner & Haskins "department" store in Dyer Street, but leave your wallet in the van or handcuff the wife!!
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The Friar Tuck Fish Bar is next door, and they serve the best fish we have tasted in a long time. Lovely batter and excellent home made tartare.

Hope this is useful