[C320-list] Intermittent fresh water flow

[kskis at aol.com]

 I did the same but can't say 1/2 day...
     On Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10:12:39 AM EDT, Bruce Heyman via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  
 
 HI David,
I remember once spending half a day diagnosing why the engine would not start.  Was amazed that it fired right up once I pushed the red handled kill switch down.
Best,
Bruce
Bruce Heyman
Somerset #671  San Pedro (LA) California



-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of david.allred--- via C320-list
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2023 2:42 PM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com; C320-List at Catalina320.com
Cc: david.allred at verizon.net
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Intermittent fresh water flow

 Here is the latest on my intermittent water problem. Today, I decided to try the suggestions concerning the hose junction at the strainer, the strainer, and the pump, itself. When I disconnected the hose from the junction. I noticed there was no water flowing out of the hose as I had expected. I was pretty sure there was still water in the aft tank, but decided to put more water into that tank to be sure. After I filled the tank, I turned on the water pressure and then the cold water at the galley sink. It spat a couple of times and then began to flow like days of yore. Same for the hot water.
I let it run while I returned to the aft birth to look for possible leaks. While I was looking, the water stopped flowing from the faucet. I also observed that it stopped flowing through the strainer. No water going into the pump. I took the hose off the junction again and no water flowed out of the hose. It was as if the water tank was empty.
I removed the inspection port in the aft water tank and, sure enough, the tank WAS empty. I refilled the tank, reconnected the hose to the junction and turned on the water pressure and faucets. The water worked just fine, both hot and cold. I turned the water pressure and the faucets off and on several times and it seemed to be working like it has for the last many years.
I find it hard to believe that the problem is that I had simply run out of water, especially since the water flow was intermittent on two different consecutive days. But, if the problem is me and my failure to fill the tanks rather than whatever else it could be (bad pump? air in the system? bad Karma from youthful follies a lifetime ago?), I am happy to admit my ridiculous mistake as long as the problem is resolved.

Thank you all for your advice. And, for those who thought, "That guy probably just needs to fill his water tanks," thanks for the kindness of not stating the obvious. However, in my case never under estimate my surprisingly expansive ignorance and failure to figure out the most basic matters when it comes to boats generally and anything mechanical or electrical in particular. I will keep you advised if there are any new (and interesting) developments.DLARomance #712

    On Friday, June 23, 2023 at 10:04:34 AM EDT, Michael Templeton via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  
 
 If you disconnected any of the Whale connectors when winterizing go back and check that they are fully connected. If not they can let air in the system with the results you describe. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 23, 2023, at 9:38 AM, Bruce Heyman via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi David,
> I'm not near the boat so I can't pull up an exploded view of the pump(don't know what model/make we have).  It feels like there might be something wrong in the pump.  Sounds like the motor is running reliably but somehow the connection to the impeller is intermittent.  I can imagine a few possible failures like an insert in the impeller that is detached from the impeller material and is now spinning....sometimes.  Or the shaft has rounded off the bushing inside the impeller.
> The only other thing I can think of is that somehow the pump chamber is getting air locked every once and a while.
> Good luck!
> Bruce
> Bruce Heyman
> Somerset #671  San Pedro (LA) California
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of david.allred--- via C320-list
> Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2023 1:35 PM
> To: 320 <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> Cc: david.allred at verizon.net
> Subject: [C320-list] Intermittent fresh water flow
> 
> I filled my fresh water tanks with chlorinated water to flush the tanks. I turned on the galley water (hot and cold) to drain the tanks and everything worked fine for several minutes. Then, all of a sudden the water stopped abruptly (unlike the usual sputtering and spitting as the water gets low). The pump continued to run, but no water was being pumped. The tanks were not empty.
> I visually examined the pump and checked the filter. I saw nothing that seemed wrong. I shut off the water pressure for a few minutes and when I turned it back on, the water flowed fine. I turned the water at the sink off and on several times during the day, and once or twice, the pump would run, but no water flowed until I had turned the water pressure and the faucets off and on a couple of times. The next day, I turned on the water pressure and the water flowed fine. The third or fourth time I turned on the water pressure and the faucets, the pump ran, but no water flowed from the faucets.Now, the pump runs, but no water comes out. I think I can hear the faintest gurgling sound from the faucet for a second or two, but no water. When I shut off the water pressure and turn on the faucet, it sputter/spits out about two or three table spoons and that's it. The pump is running but there is no water flowing.
> Does anyone have any idea what may be the problem?  Thanks.David AllredRomance
> 2000 Hulll #712
>