R21EC Galley water pressure

[SteveB]

Today I noticed a problem with water pressure in the galley sink on our boat. . .

We have a 2009 R21EC that we took delivery of in March of this year. The boat arrived from the dealer winterized, with antifreeze in the head and the fresh water tank. When I drained the fresh water tank (by running the faucet), I thought the sink had good, steady water pressure.

Today I went to the marina to flush the tank, so I filled it with fresh water and started the fresh water pump. The pump came on, pressurized and then stopped running, which it is supposed to do once it is pressurized (thanks, Andrew!). The problem is, when I run the faucet the pump makes a fast stuttering sound (blub blub blub blub blub) and the water comes out of the faucet in alterating big and small spurts and seems to be very aerated.

I seem to remember that sometimes there's a trick to getting good pressure from a marine fresh-water pump. Any ideas?

By the way, the 12 volt house battery was fully juiced.

Thanks all!

-Steve

 

[captain's cat]

Steve, just make sure your tank is full. You've got air in the lines and it should work it's way out. I have the same problem when I dewinterize my TomCat.

Does the 21 have a water heater? If so make sure those valves are in the right position and run both cold and hot water.

Charlie

 

[K7MXE]

This I will be doing this very afternoon. When I loose the prime
I just add some pressure to the tank and that usually is all it takes
I seem to remember a vent that has to be blocked but its a
nothing deal. You have to have the pump on and the faucet open.
Todays project was the service of the boat with fluid changes
and inspection of everything. I found some rust inside the air
cleaner housing and has fresh paint drying right now. Time to
take the antifreeze out of the tank and flush it out.
Bob Heselberg Eatonville Wa

 

[Andrew Custis]

All look like good suggestions to me! If this doesn't fix the problem Steve you know who to call.

 

[Gregg]

I know this is a bit of an old thread, but I have found myself having the same problem that Steve originally had. I'm just wondering if any has found a good solution to clearing the stuttering and aerated water that comes out. The pump pressurises and shuts off, as it should. The stuttering from the tap increases to a certain point then remains consistent. However, the pump never seems to come on again when the tap is left running; the stuttering just continues. This sounds like air is getting in somewhere, but I can't figure where.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Gregg

 

[K7MXE]

I wonder if the tank is low on water and you just trying to skim off the
top. If it is air and not a wrong pressure setting you might try to
pressurize the tank. Use a rag to the garden house to seal the input
to the tank and dont use too much pressure but feed it a little water
with the pump off and the faucet open you may have to control the
flow of water with plugging of the vent and that should take any air
in the line out. I do not know if the pump pressure settings are
changeable but that could also be in error. Just something more to
try before going to Andrew.. Bob Heselberg Eatonville Wa

 

[Gregg]

Bob,
So your saying to push some water through the system should force the air out? That makes good sense. I'll give it a try tomorrow and let you know how it goes.
Thanks
Gregg

 

[Gregg]

Hi Bob
I got it figured out. I tried your suggestion first by introducing some pressure in the system. No luck. I tried forcing water through a couple of times but no change. I kept thinking about the problem then finally realized that it has to be some sort of restriction of water. The pump was working by drawing water, pressurizing then shutting off, as it should. But very little water out of the tap. Then it hit me. I took off the flow reducer/aerator at the tap end and it was jammed with debris. I cleaned it out and now have lots of pressure and a smoothly operating pump. Go figure. It usually is the simple things that get overlooked.

Thanks again for your help.

Gregg

 

[SteveB]

This is a good one to file, a simple solution to try before taking more drastic steps.

After trying everything else, our problem ultimately ended up being debris in the aerator cap at the faucet as Gregg described... at the very end of the line. It was a sixty second job to unscrew this, wipe it clean and replace it. Bang, full galley water pressure after months of dealing with dribbles and sputters.

This issue is finally resolved! We have fresh running water again aboard Pugtug! Another great lesson for a first year boat owner.

Thanks Gregg!

-Steve