Winterizing issue.

[egregg57]

I got the job done... but there was gnashing of teeth and lots of grumbling.

This is the first unit I have had with a winterizing system installed. So I was pretty happy about using it. Until....

It didn't work. The water pump would not draw the anti-freeze. I had read the instructions and also looked on MOC and saw the common issues with trying to draw the anti-freeze from the bottle, so I was ready. None of the preparations worked.

I finally found that I had to throttle the Fill/City valve 50% to start a draw. The bottle sitting on a table about 1 foot higher than the storage compartment floor.

Something is not right. However I was able to get the system charged, the lines bled and drain traps filled.

Any insight?

[trustymopars]

I've had to add a second rubber washer to the fill inlet to get a good seal. Also had to add one to the flush and city water inlets. Hope this helps. JT.

[vangoes]

X2 on the second gasket on all water inlets.

[BB_TX]

And I was just the opposite. The winterize hose connection on mine did not have enough threads to be able to screw the hose down tight. I actually had to go to a thinner washer to get enough hose fitting threads to pull the connection tight. Would not draw with even the slightest air leak, even with the jug at the hose fitting level.

[DarMar]

Can be a tricky thing to get the flow started. An air leak anywhere, and the 2nd washer helps. I dump all my 3 gallons in a smaller pail, place the suck hose all the way to the bottom and it seems to help get things primed with the extra anti-freeze.

[BB_TX]

I found that turning on the pump and then opening a low point drain valve gets mine pumping quickly, assuming a good seal. And if it ever loses prime during the process, momentarily reopening the low point drain gets it started again.

[egregg57]

quote:Originally posted by trustymopars

I've had to add a second rubber washer to the fill inlet to get a good seal. Also had to add one to the flush and city water inlets. Hope this helps. JT.

Did that before I started. Read that on the forum. Thanks!

[egregg57]

Did the low point drains too. The only thing that seemed to work was throttling the fill valve. Perhaps I will remove a washer and try it. Won't hurt, it is winterized. Thanks everyone!

[Ragtacker]

Well don't I wish I had read this before going through that ordeal. My hot water bypass did not work either. I usually pull the anode for the winter but the tank is now full of anti freeze so wont be doing that. Its always something eh

[rmthelen]

Completed my winterizing exercise yesterday.......arrived in Florida. LOL.