Potable Water Pump Continuously Running

[Marty]

Have an issue with the pump running continuous periodically. At times it will pressurize and shut off though. I checked for leaks and have tightened all clamps/connections I can get at.

Pump is likely original Shurflo, so would it be safe to assume this is a pump issue?

[Midnightsun]

Are all other aspects of water at the taps normal such as flow and pressure? Is the only issue the pump that sometimes just keeps going? If so, it is the pressure switch of the pump that has gone bad or it could be the pump is barely making enough pressure and not achieving the pressure switch shut off limit. Either way a new pump is probably the easiest way to fix it.

[Marty]

Taps are working normal with normal pressure all the time. Pump with shut off intermittently but at times will run for hours.

[bud37]

Marty if that pump has run for hours, regardless of the rest of the system.....the pump is likely bad by now for sure. Pressure switch/ check valve, possible......but have a really good look around for a leak, water heaters and even a small drip at a sink will cycle a pressure pump.

[Marty]

Thanks will double check and report back. Appreciate the guidance.

[tomschauer]

Check the inlet screen to the pump. Sometimes if there is some muck in there they can't build full pressure for some reason.
Also, after the screen, back your pressure adjustment screw out just a tiny bit until it stops.

[Marty]

QR_BBPOST Check the inlet screen to the pump. Sometimes if there is some muck in there they can't build full pressure for some reason.
Also, after the screen, back your pressure adjustment screw out just a tiny bit until it stops.

Will have to wait till next week, but will try the pressure screw as the screen looked clear to me.

Thanks,

[km1125]

on a lot of those pumps, you can take the head apart and clean all the parts, which includes the valves and put it back together and it will work better. You can replace those parts too (the pump diaphragm and valves) but you don't always have to do that if there is some debris that can just be cleaned up.

[Viper]

It would have to be a really big leak to make the run constantly. It's either starving for water, has a faulty pressure switch or the check valve is leaking back. One way to check the valve without taking anything apart is to hook up to dockside water, if your tank starts filling up, your valve has failed or it's got sediment/dirt in it preventing it from sealing properly.

Good pumps are getting more and more expensive and seem to be failing more often and sooner than their older counterparts. There are rebuild kits for most designs if you're willing to spend the time but the rest of the pump will still be old and susceptible to failure in the near future. A good cleaning though can sometimes solve what may seem like hardware failure.

[bud37]

I recently had a nice four chamber pump that was just a year old that acted just like yours Marty........I took it apart and could not find anything obvious, all the diaphragms/valves appeared fine. Still no worky.......kit to rebuild pump was more than 1/2 the price of a new pump and also there was an internal leak that was rusting the case/ bearings inside. A year old in boat speak is brand new IMO.

My opinion here is get a replacement pump that fits the water flow spec you need and go with it. Perhaps the cheaper the better considering the quality issues of late.