New to me boat

[dgringo]

Having done the purchase, etc, the owner and or broker left the water pump on... I'm a novice owner and realised it was on days, later.

Should not be an issue, but it turns out the water tank is bone dry. I fill the tank completely, but still no water... I strongly suspect all is OK, but pump might need priming.

Pump comes back on and does not sound bad -- not easiest to get too. Any good info on priming pump? SureFlo:



Cheers.

[a64pilot]

I thought they self primed, you are leaving a facet open right? You can either pressurize the water tank or pull a vacuum on a facet with a wet vac, vacuum is safer
If I understand your saying the pump ran continuously for days?

[dgringo]

Yes -- thanks for reply.

Yes, the pump ran for days w/ no water. When I filled the tank, no faucets were open or running.

So you are saying I need to apply some vac pressure to a faucet, to kick it off?


Cheers.

[Stu Jackson]

If you have two water tanks or more to a manifold, turn ALL BUT ONE of the tanks off.

Then download and rtfm, good luck.

[SkiprJohn]

Just a thought but after running for days without water, wouldn't the impeller be toast?

[skipmac]

Several things,

1. IF the pump is OK then you need to turn on a faucet on the boat to allow water to fill the lines. The pump will have a problem sucking water from the tank if the faucets are turned off since the pump will be pumping against air pressure in the pipes. Don't need to put vacuum on the faucet just let the air pressure out.

2. Can't tell from the picture but all of my Shurflo pumps are diaphragm pumps. If that one is a diaphragm pump and the motor isn't burned out then you might be OK.

3. If it is am impellor pump the impellor is probably destroyed.

4. Does the motor sound like it's running when you turn it on?

I go along with Stu. Find out what model pump it is and RTFM.

[a64pilot]

I'm not sure but think they may be piston pumps. If opening the facet to relieve air pressure doesn't have the pump pumping water, it's most likely toast.
All pumps I've had experience with are self priming, the vacuum statement was if you had some kind of pump that won't self prime.
I've had worn out pumps that won't self prime that manually priming them had them continue for awhile but of course that is a stop gap measure not a fix.


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[a64pilot]

Shire flo's website seems to indicate that at least most if not all are diaphragm pumps. At least what I could see on my phone anyway


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[dgringo]

Thanks guys, will have earnest efforts in couple of hours. :-/


Cheers.

[model 10]

Just buy a new pump. Get used to it.

[dgringo]

your all heart guy. Discounting a boat, I am no way rich enough for this life-style, so need to cut corners and bargain.


Cheers.

[Snowpetrel]

Sounds like your on the right track. Also check the presure switch, if it has one. Power supply to the pump with a multitester etc. If need be pull the pump out, or pull off the hoses and try getting it to pump out of a bucket of water with some shorter hoses.

You are on the way to learning how to sail offshore. There aren't any shops out there so you need to be able to fix stuff yourself, rather than just being part of the "Just buy a new one" crowd.

At the very least you will learn how the pumps work and how to troubleshoot them. If its really cactus ie burnt out motor, then get another, and strip the old one for spare parts. Best of luck. And let us know how it goes.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by dgringo

your all heart guy. Discounting a boat, I am no way rich enough for this life-style, so need to cut corners and bargain.


Cheers.

If the motor is still good you can get rebuild kits for the Shurflo pumps.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by dgringo

your all heart guy. Discounting a boat, I am no way rich enough for this life-style, so need to cut corners and bargain.


Cheers.

Go to second hand marine stores and also boat boneyards to see if they have any parts and pieces around. I've done things on the cheap so long I don't know how to buy anything new. Shur flo does RV pumps too so you might find one in a trashed RV.

Good luck.

[dgringo]

Got me pump working! Thanks for your help. Fin


Cheers.