[C320-list] Intermittent fresh water flow

[Allan Field]

Yep, also been there, done that...
Allan S. Field


On Sat, Jun 24, 2023 at 10:12 AM 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
> >
>
>
>