Happy Thanksgiving! Need help with water tank issue!

[BlakeLinda]

We hooked up last night in an RV resort. The city water connection bled into my fresh water tank and overfilled it overnight. We woke to find water running out of the fresh water tank filler cap on the outside. The fresh water tank was overfilled to bulging. We had no idea city water line could bled into and overfill the fresh water tank. Anybody had this happen or have a logical reason why this could happen?
Thank you!!
Blake and Linda
2010 RSK

[Steve W]

Blake & Linda

Camped last month on the northern coast of California and while walking to the office the following am, walked past a late model Class C which was awash in water. An older man was standing outside and I inquired as to all the water. What happened to you, happened to him only he didn't catch it and overnight his freshwater tank filled, overfilled and ran out into the interior of the coach. He had called the manufacturer and was told that there is a valve in the coach's water pump that must have malfunctioned. Supposedly when hooked to outside water this valve will close to keep the outside water from filling the interior fresh water tank and flooding the vehicle. I told him that I had never heard of that, thinking that the outside water completely bypassed the interior water tank. Before we hit the road again, I will check with our RV maintenance people to clarify the situation. You might want to call Kim at BF. He will definitely have the answer.

Happy Thanksgiving.

[BlakeLinda]

Thank you so much for the reply. That is only thing that makes sense. At least we caught it in time. One more thing to be grateful for this day. We will try calling Kim after we get back. Hopefully, someone else will read this and be able avoid similar.
Happy Thanksgiving.

[randallrae]

Sometimes the pump check valve will leak back into the fresh water tank .(possibly caused by running pump while on city water?) You can always leave tank drain valve open when on city water , or get into the habit of checking tank levels frequently .

[stevek]

So the check valve is built into the pump? Or separate?
Does this generic schematic look accurate?

[randallrae]

Yes it appears accurate . Pump has valve in it .

[BlakeLinda]

Do I understand that the valve is inside the pump housing? We just replaced the water pump (Surflo)this past spring. Sounds like we may have a defective valve.
Blake

[Roger H]

Do I understand that the valve is inside the pump housing? We just replaced the water pump (Surflo)this past spring. Sounds like we may have a defective valve.
Blake

Yes, the check valve is inside the pump body. You may have a defective valve, but more likely you have a piece of lime, plastic, or a small stone. or some other 'something' stuck and blocking it open. Run the pump and see if it'll blow it through. If that doesn't fix it, since you'll have to pull the pump anyway, just tap it on the outlet side a couple of times and see if that dislodges whatever is in it. Put it back in-line and see if the problem persists. If it still has a leaky valve, then you're probably stuck with replacing it... fortunately, it's not an emergency as you can just run on your tank until you get around to it.

[whemme]

Blake & Linda,

I agree that you probably have a leaking back flow valve in your water pump. Because of this possibility and potential other leaks that could occur using the constantly pressurized city water connection, I have stopped using that method obtaining water in my Born Free. I always just fill my fresh water tank and then shut the water off at the pedestal. Then also whenever I leave the coach or while sleeping, I also turn off the water pump. This prevents flooding the coach with water due to any possible water leaks in the system.

There is always the potential for a water leak to the inside of the coach when using the constantly pressurized city water connection.

[BlakeLinda]

I tried running the pump to empty the tank. We drained it twice and it appears to not be filling the tank now. But how can I trust that?
Good advice! I don't want to have to turn off water each time but my paranoida level may dictate that method.
Thanks all!

[whemme]

Blake & Linda,

As I said, I would recommend not using the city water connection as you source of water in your coach. Instead use your filled fresh water tank and your water pump.

[BlakeLinda]

Thanks Bill, that is exactly what we're doing!

[Mike Jean Bandfield]

Bill's suggestion is the safest.
We've also always made it a habit to only turn on the pump when needing to use water and insure it is off when driving or sleeping.
If you really like the pressure and convenience of city water, you can minimize the risk by shutting the valve between the tank and the pump. - Mike