I'm in the process of troubleshooting a fresh water problem. The indicator is that the fresh water pump will not shut off once all tap sources are closed.
I have already cleaned the strainer, checked all fittings from water tanks to pump, and visually inspected all visible water lines for cracks leaks etc. There are none in the fresh water side of the system.
I have also replace the pump with a new Shurflo Revolution pump (which is extremely quiet).
So this past weekend, I noticed that I could hear trickeling, while the pump was running (now that the pump is quiet, it was easy to hear this). Again, I check all tap sources, and check front bilge and could not find any accumulating water, but it was evident that it was going somewhere, as I could actually hear it while the pump was on. I finally traced it back to the water heater in the aft bilge.
When the pump is on, I hear water trickeling through the engine heat exchange lines on the water heater (Raritan R12 12 gallon with Engine Exchange), and the water is going out the exhaust system. This obviously does not seem normal, unless there is some kind of overflow valve (???)
I don't know a lot about water heaters, but I assume that there must be a leak in the exchanger, which is allowing water from the fresh water to enter the exchanger coil. I realize this is bad because it could (and probably is) letting raw water into the fresh water system, although it does not appear to as the water coming out seems clean (although it would be hard to really tell as the raw water should appear clean too with the strainer).
Im also not sure if this would cause the pump to stay below pressure allowing it to run continuously, but obviously something is not right.
I assume I could cap off the lines running to the water heater, so see if that solves my fresh water pump issue, but I'm looking for some advise on this from someone that knows more about the water heater systems.
1987 Carver Mariner 3297
Crusader 270's
Shurflo Revolution 55psi
2x40 gallon fresh water tank
Raritan R12 11 Gallon Water Heater with Exchanger
Located in Grosse Ile Michigan (cold winters)
Thanks!
-Rybad
I have already cleaned the strainer, checked all fittings from water tanks to pump, and visually inspected all visible water lines for cracks leaks etc. There are none in the fresh water side of the system.
I have also replace the pump with a new Shurflo Revolution pump (which is extremely quiet).
So this past weekend, I noticed that I could hear trickeling, while the pump was running (now that the pump is quiet, it was easy to hear this). Again, I check all tap sources, and check front bilge and could not find any accumulating water, but it was evident that it was going somewhere, as I could actually hear it while the pump was on. I finally traced it back to the water heater in the aft bilge.
When the pump is on, I hear water trickeling through the engine heat exchange lines on the water heater (Raritan R12 12 gallon with Engine Exchange), and the water is going out the exhaust system. This obviously does not seem normal, unless there is some kind of overflow valve (???)
I don't know a lot about water heaters, but I assume that there must be a leak in the exchanger, which is allowing water from the fresh water to enter the exchanger coil. I realize this is bad because it could (and probably is) letting raw water into the fresh water system, although it does not appear to as the water coming out seems clean (although it would be hard to really tell as the raw water should appear clean too with the strainer).
Im also not sure if this would cause the pump to stay below pressure allowing it to run continuously, but obviously something is not right.
I assume I could cap off the lines running to the water heater, so see if that solves my fresh water pump issue, but I'm looking for some advise on this from someone that knows more about the water heater systems.
1987 Carver Mariner 3297
Crusader 270's
Shurflo Revolution 55psi
2x40 gallon fresh water tank
Raritan R12 11 Gallon Water Heater with Exchanger
Located in Grosse Ile Michigan (cold winters)
Thanks!
-Rybad
