Fresh water pump wont shut off

[CurrentSea]

I know this was discussed before but wanted to get opinions.

Fresh water pump was working fine. No issues. I opened a faucet to drain tank the other day. When faucet was spitting air I closed it and pump would not shut off. Since I was in a rush I ignored it.

The other day I looked at again and it still won't shut off. Since I blew out all my lines with air I decided to buy a cap and scre wit on the out side of pump to see if I had a leak. Pump still ran.
So now I know I don't have a leak and the question remains. Is the pump shot or is it running because the tank is empty and its sucking air? Sort of odd that it did this when I drained tank and pump sucked air.

Ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Tanqueray]

The pump won't compress air....it's looking for water to fill the lines...if there's no water...the pump is gonna keep running.

 

[PascalG]

not sure i understand the question... if you have air on the suction side , it's not going build enough pressure and wont' shut off.

 

[stmbtwle]

Nothing is wrong. The pump can't build up enough pressure on just air to shut itself off; it needs water.

If you're winterizing just shut the pump off. In the spring just open the faucets and put some water in the tank; it'll clear itself.

 

[pdecat]

yup, air. wait till spring then purge the air and everything will be fine.

 

[CurrentSea]

So this means if u run your tank empty your pump will keep running? Interesting.

Seems a good way to burn out the pump if you have a slow drip and are not on boat! I leave my pump on when not on boat so ice maker makes ice. Guess I will shut it off now when I leave.

Thanks.

 

[Vic Willman]

>

Absolutely. That will happen at home, too, if you have your own well. A pressure pump on a boat is simply a smaller version of a drilled well and pump, out in the country. If there's no water, the pump will run forever.

When the tanks are empty and the pump is spitting sir, TURN THE PUMP OFF !!! It's doing exactly what it's supposed to do.

 

[CurrentSea]

Make sense, but I wanted to verify.
You all just save me from buying a new pump.
My old boat never did that.
I guess some boats can pressurize the air, others can't.

 

[Tanqueray]

" Make sense, but I wanted to verify.
You all just save me from buying a new pump.
My old boat never did that."

Are you SURE? I can't imagine a pump NOT doing that.

Think about it. Does that make any sense to you?