[rycalshaw]

as anyone had issues with pumps freezing following the crap weather recently, tried to work yesterday but the pump was dead, didn,t  even try to work, put an oil filled rad in the van for a few hours but still nothing..cheers

[dazmond]

its a newbie mistake....try preventing your pump from freezing in the first place by either taking it inside or making sure theres a heater in the back of your van on freezing nights...

try wrapping a hot towel around it to help it thaw...

[rycalshaw]

it was wrapped in an old quilt...

[dazmond]

is it still not working today mate?whats the ambient air temperature where you are?

[alank]

Wrapping a pump in old quilts etc won't work when it's been as cold as this believe me I've tried this when first started to use my pickup last winter. As dasmond says either remove pumps or heat van overnight. If you are DI only I would drain the tank and fill with hot water this will thaw everything out gradually. If it's only the pump thaw it out slowly don't use boiling water etc. Good look we've all probably had the same problems with ice in the past

[Arnold Palmer]

Hairdryer.

[Scrimble]

dismantle the top part of the pump and give it a clean when its apart, you can check to see if the diaphrams are damaged or not, connect the pump to a power source when the top part is off to see if the motor spins to check if that's ok,

if you suspect there is ice in the pump don't keep trying to get the pump to pump water as the ice will damage it!

[Walter Mitty]

I am unable to heat the van as I often have to park a long way from my flat, so here's what I do:
The pump has John Guest-type fittings and the last few inches are a separate piece of tubing between main tube and pump.  I disconnect the few inches of tubing from the pump inlet, allowing the pump to drain.  I then disconnect that last few inches and shove a longer tube in.  I ensure that the longer tube points upwards and above the frame.  I stick  it to the frame (this prevent syphoning).  I also disconnect the pump outlet in case water is left in the pump.
Doing it this way may leave a dribble of water in the pump which can delay start-up, but at least you won't have water expanding in the pump and breaking it.

[richard groves]

If its completely thawed and not working bypass the pressure switch by joining the two red wires that feed it, could possibly have burnt out if you tried powering it with ice still in it.


I've never heated my vans, always used quick release on all hoses. If minus temps I drain down the hoses and disconnect hoses from tank to pump and pump to reel. Quality hose lock types jg etc .
Although I do not have an ro or di in the van just a bare bones diy system.

[Stoots]

I never use a heater in the van.

Simply drain the pump, hose, reel and pole hose  dry. This is as easy as opening up your brush Tap or univalve disconnecting the pump Inlet side and running for a minute.

Works every time.

[Simon Trapani]

Or just use a heater and never need to drain or disconnect anything. Works for me.