Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: senorquill on May 12, 2021, 02:05:20 PM

Title: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: senorquill on May 12, 2021, 02:05:20 PM
Gents,

When I turn the water pressure on my water pump, attached photo, doesn't turn off. This just recently happened. I have inspected any for a leak and I don't see one. Once it has pressure the pressure will remain over night. I have filled the water tanks once and that stopped it. But after a little use it just keeps going.

1. Is this a sign of the end of life for the pump? It's from 2013.
2. Has anyone opened the pump and fixed it or anything?
3. Could it be something else?

Ryan
S/V Dude
1987
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: Stu Jackson on May 12, 2021, 02:18:54 PM
Do you have both water tank valves open at the same time?  If so, shut one and use only one tank at a time.
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: KWKloeber on May 12, 2021, 02:44:31 PM
Ryan there is a water pump troubleshooting guide on the wiki site. It can be from things such as a bad diaphragm or check valve.  You shouldn't need a new pump just a kit or at worst a new head. What model number is it?
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: Ron Hill on May 12, 2021, 02:52:28 PM
Ryan : I don't know of anyone that has successfully taken that pump apart (BK) - other than looking for some junk that got thru your fresh water strainer.

With FlowJet I called them and they said if the motor runs they would trade me for a complete new pump - which they did!!  Give Shureflow a call and see what they say.

A few thoughts
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: Stu Jackson on May 12, 2021, 08:23:35 PM
Before you call anyone, could you answer my question and have you read what Ken suggests?
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: senorquill on May 13, 2021, 05:22:48 AM
Quote from: Stu Jackson on May 12, 2021, 02:18:54 PM
Do you have both water tank valves open at the same time?  If so, shut one and use only one tank at a time.

I only have one tank value open at a time. I've closed both and it keeps running. I've opened both and it keeps running.
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: senorquill on May 13, 2021, 05:23:23 AM
Quote from: Ron Hill on May 12, 2021, 02:52:28 PM
Ryan : I don't know of anyone that has successfully taken that pump apart - other than looking for some junk that got thru your strainer.

With FlowJet I called them and they said if the motor runs they would trade me for a complete new pump - which they did!!  Give Shureflow a call and see what they say.

A few thoughts

I'll give them a call. Thanks
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: frankya on May 13, 2021, 07:36:30 AM
A clogged/blocked inlet filter or screen will do the same thing.
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: Jim Lucas on May 13, 2021, 08:57:33 AM
I'd almost guarantee that it's the filter/screen being blocked up as frankya said. turn off the pump and you can pull it fairly easily. If you don't have a replacement, use a water hose and blow backwards through it to clean it out and replace.
If it's clogged, you may find you have to do this a few times as you may have some sludge in your water tanks/lines.
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: KWKloeber on May 13, 2021, 09:07:14 AM
Quote from: Ron Hill on May 12, 2021, 02:52:28 PM

I don't know of anyone that has successfully taken that pump apart - other than looking for some junk that got thru your strainer.


Jeeez.  Ron, meet Ken.  Ken, meet Ron.
Same ShurFlo on the boat for 20+ years.  Replaced the switch once and a kit once (I think, maybe twice.)
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: Stu Jackson on May 13, 2021, 10:48:03 AM
Quote from: senorquill on May 13, 2021, 05:22:48 AM
Quote from: Stu Jackson on May 12, 2021, 02:18:54 PM
Do you have both water tank valves open at the same time?  If so, shut one and use only one tank at a time.

I only have one tank value open at a time. I've closed both and it keeps running. I've opened both and it keeps running.

Thx for the answer.  Then it's time to use the troubleshooting guide Ken suggested.  A friend with the same pump recently spent some time on the phone with Shurflo, and all they did was lead him to take off the inlet connection and find a piece of crud in there, just like the guide says to do.  Good luck.
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: KWKloeber on May 13, 2021, 11:52:11 AM
Ryan
I see you don't have a ShurFlo inlet screen installed. That's the kindest thing I ever did to my pump.
Mine is an older straight-thru type screen, not the current bowl-type strainer. Google it.
You might also switch to the thumbscrew type inlet/outlet elbows - they make it so convenient to service, winterize, etc., if you need to remove hoses.
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: Ron Hill on May 13, 2021, 02:40:47 PM
Ken, meet Ron!! : I'm talking about taking the pump (itself) apart, not just the pump off the motor  Daaaa!

Ryan : If you can get a new "pump" from Shurflow I believe that will fix your problem.  But you still have to call them!

A few thoughts thought
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: KWKloeber on May 13, 2021, 02:48:48 PM
Quote from: Ron Hill on May 13, 2021, 02:40:47 PM
Ken, meet Ron!! : I'm talking about taking the pump (itself) apart, not just the pump off the motor  Daaaa!

Ryan : If you can get a new "pump" from Shurflow I believe that will fix your problem.  But you still have to call them!.

A few thoughts thought

Dah - How does one replace the diaphragm and check valve and what not else is in the kit without taking the pump apart?
I don't know of any way to do that task.
 
Osmosis maybe? 
Or thread it through the inlet or outlet ports?
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: Ron Hill on May 13, 2021, 02:56:36 PM
Guys : I wrote an article for the Mainsheet tech notes - where I recommended that C34 owners get a finer mesh screen for the fresh water filter bowel.  What came with the boat was a course mesh #20 and that same screen for the course raw water filter.  You have "Hypro 3/4" 3350 inline strainers" (for raw and fresh water). The finer screens are #50 or #80.     :thumb:

You've already have a bowel filter that's plumbed into the fresh water system, just get a finer mesh to put in that same bowel!!   :clap

A thought
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: KWKloeber on May 13, 2021, 03:30:34 PM
Ryan

(Not my pump but) here's the old style I was referring to on mine vs the current style strainer.
It's like 8 bucks, get one, your pump will like it.

-k

(https://yourfulltimervliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/waterpump4.png)

(https://www.nautimarket-europe.com/open2b/var/products/22/03/0-fa95b4d8-1000-Shurflo-Aqua-King-II-Supreme-Water-Pump-5.0-12V-18.9lt-min-3.8Bar-55PSI-UF68804B.jpg)
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: senorquill on May 15, 2021, 02:03:35 PM
Quote from: Stu Jackson on May 13, 2021, 10:48:03 AM
Quote from: senorquill on May 13, 2021, 05:22:48 AM
Quote from: Stu Jackson on May 12, 2021, 02:18:54 PM
Do you have both water tank valves open at the same time?  If so, shut one and use only one tank at a time.

I only have one tank value open at a time. I've closed both and it keeps running. I've opened both and it keeps running.

Thx for the answer.  Then it's time to use the troubleshooting guide Ken suggested.  A friend with the same pump recently spent some time on the phone with Shurflo, and all they did was lead him to take off the inlet connection and find a piece of crud in there, just like the guide says to do.  Good luck.

I ended up removing both the black plumbing connectors on the inlet and outlet lines. I took my dock hose and blasted water at high pressure into both side, which made a mess. I then turned the pump on with no hoses connected and ran it, block both sides with my fingers on and off. Hooked up it back up and now it works! Must have been something caught in there? I'll see how long it works for, but it hasn't  turned on like that since.
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: KWKloeber on May 15, 2021, 02:57:00 PM
If it's ok now GET THE STRAINER ON IT!!!

Lesson learned  :D :D

Quote from: senorquill on May 15, 2021, 02:03:35 PM
Quote from: Stu Jackson on May 13, 2021, 10:48:03 AM
Quote from: senorquill on May 13, 2021, 05:22:48 AM
Quote from: Stu Jackson on May 12, 2021, 02:18:54 PM
Do you have both water tank valves open at the same time?  If so, shut one and use only one tank at a time.

I only have one tank value open at a time. I've closed both and it keeps running. I've opened both and it keeps running.

Thx for the answer.  Then it's time to use the troubleshooting guide Ken suggested.  A friend with the same pump recently spent some time on the phone with Shurflo, and all they did was lead him to take off the inlet connection and find a piece of crud in there, just like the guide says to do.  Good luck.

I ended up removing both the black plumbing connectors on the inlet and outlet lines. I took my dock hose and blasted water at high pressure into both side, which made a mess. I then turned the pump on with no hoses connected and ran it, block both sides with my fingers on and off. Hooked up it back up and now it works! Must have been something caught in there? I'll see how long it works for, but it hasn't  turned on like that since.
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: Stu Jackson on May 15, 2021, 04:36:05 PM
Quote from: senorquill on May 15, 2021, 02:03:35 PM

I ended up removing both the black plumbing connectors on the inlet and outlet lines. I took my dock hose and blasted water at high pressure into both side, which made a mess. I then turned the pump on with no hoses connected and ran it, block both sides with my fingers on and off. Hooked up it back up and now it works! Must have been something caught in there? I'll see how long it works for, but it hasn't  turned on like that since.

Just for grins & giggles I went and checked that Troubleshooting guide:

PUMP WILL NOT SHUT-OFF: (Pressure switch equipped)  Check the following items:
􀀹 Output line closed and no leaks
􀀹 For air trapped in outlet line or pump head
􀀹 For correct voltage to pump(±10%)
􀀹 Inlet/Outlet valves for debris or swelling...

Gee. surprise...   :D:D:D

And perhaps that's exactly what you did.  Hope so.

Glad to hear.

Oh, also the manual for the pump also says exactly what Ken says it does:

• Installation of a 50 mesh strainer is recommended to prevent foreign debris from entering the pump.

Please forgive me, but I've been on the phone daily for the past week with a friend who has replaced his alternator.  Last week I gave him links to the Critical Upgrades, 101 Topics, Electrical Systems 101 AND Maine Sail's excellent three page tutorial as to how to align your new alternator.  The eight questions he asked me this morning were ALL in Maine Sail's article and the other links.  Every...single...one...

Please RTFM.

I'm very glad you got it going.  Congratulations.
Title: Re: Water Pump doesn’t turn off
Post by: Ron Hill on May 16, 2021, 02:31:03 PM
Guys : I believe that I wrote that note about the #50 mesh strainer in the Mainsheet tech notes in the early 1990s!!  Even that course strainer was loaded with all of the cuttings from the factory water tank installation.  As I recall I took a hand full of cuttings/crap out of that strainer even though it was the course#20 mesh!!

It was one of the first problems that I had with my new C34!!  Now all you have to do is get a new #50 mesh strainer and change it out into your Hypro strainer that already installed!! You might also want to get a new gasket - as it's a strange square "O" ring type, but square!! 

A few thoughts