Water Pump

Spent the weekend going over our ‘new’ 2002 Trident. All seems fine and generally very impressed with the condition of a 19 year old van. We are amazed that it still has the original crockery and all the blinds etc seem to work too. I have ready reported the state of the upper windows which seems to be a common problem so we will think about what, if anything, to do with them.

However I filled the water tank half full and , while the pump does work it is very noisy and juddery resulting in water splashing all over the cooker - a bit unfortunate! Is this a common problem or could it be because the van has not really been used for a couple of years? We are taking it away this weekend so it may settle down with more use.

Sounds normal air lock, run tap furthest from pump until smooth flow then air should be purged out. If you drain down after each trip you may have to do it each time you fill.

Paulmold wrote:Sounds normal air lock, run tap furthest from pump until smooth flow then air should be purged out. If you drain down after each trip you may have to do it each time you fill.

Thanks - I thought the same, but it didn’t really seem to settle, when we are on site I will fill the tank and give the pump a good run to see if it clears. PS we only have the one (cold) tap!

I find it difficult to believe that a 2002 Autosleeper has no water heater.
No doubt someone will provide an authorative statement. ???
Keith

KMRTOPAZ wrote:I find it difficult to believe that a 2002 Autosleeper has no water heater.
No doubt someone will provide an authorative statement. ???
Keith

There is no water heater in the van and the AS manual does not refer to one.

My mistake.  Keith

After filling the tank twice and running the tap lots the problem is still there. If it’s an air lock we can’t clear it. So it’s going back to the dealer to have a look along with a couple of other problems. Generally delighted with the Trident otherwise.

The reason I was speculating about a heater is because the symptoms described are typical of water and air under pressure. Characteristic of a heater tank filing and purging the air. This leads me to suggest that the pump is pulling air into the system. ie. there is a poor joint, or a filter coupling not fully tightened....below the pump.
Keith

Ok thanks, good thoughts - hopefully I can get it back to the dealer this week and will wait to see what he says.

Do let us know the outcome. It may be of help to someone with a similar problem. Keith

Could someone let me know where the water pump would be on the Trident please?

Under a false floor of a cupboard is common place.

Paulmold wrote:Under a false floor of a cupboard is common place.

Thanks Paul, got the false floor of the basket cupboard next to the sink up and found the battery charger and the diesel heater (at least I now know where those are!) but no water pump. Are there any maintenance guides or diagrams around?

Is it too obvious to suggest you run it and listen?

I don't know the layout of your van, but it should help you to home in on the approximate position, even if you can't pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from?

Probably? 

I'm afraid I can't remember where the pump is situated on a Trident. It's not immediately under the tap, is it? Cn you follow the pipe back from underneath the tap? Or is it a submersible pump, fitted inside the water tank, perhaps?

Cymro

Cymro wrote:I'm afraid I can't remember where the pump is situated on  a Trident. It's not immediately under the tap, is it?  Cn you follow the pipe back from underneath the tap? Or is it a submersible pump, fitted inside the water tank, perhaps?

Cymro

No, not under the tap and can't see anywhere else it could be at the moment. I think (hope!) its unlikely to be submersible on a 2002 van, but you never know...

Gromit wrote:Is it too obvious to suggest you run it and listen?

I don't know the layout of your van, but it should help you to home in on the approximate position, even if you can't pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from?

Probably? 

good thought, the tail is empty at the moment but I will give it a try next time I fill it

Cymro wrote:I'm afraid I can't remember where the pump is situated on  a Trident. It's not immediately under the tap, is it?  Cn you follow the pipe back from underneath the tap? Or is it a submersible pump, fitted inside the water tank, perhaps?

Cymro

Spot on its a submersible apparently!