[chrismroberts]

Started a house today, did the backs... went round the front and plugged the pole back into the reel and had no pressure what so ever!

Went back to the van, gave the pump outlet a good suck (which usually works).... no joy.... ran the pump with the Varistream on full power for a couple of minutes.... no joy. Checked the tank to pump hose for air bubbles, that was fine. Checked the pump filter.... that was fine! The pump is just chugging away, really slow, isnt bringing any water through at all! I have had to de-ice the pump a couple of times, has that damaged it? Does anyone know how to get these things going again?

Its a Shurflo.... this is not good, tis the busiest week of the year!! 

[TERRY AB]

I reckon that the diaphramme insede the pump has dislodged itself.
Quite simple to rectify, unscrew head, carefully remove the head itseld and check the
seating of the said diaphramme, sometimes when the pump freezes the diaphramme
(traingular rubber part usually with 3 nipples), needs taking out and placing it very hot water for
a few minutes, this will cause the rubber to take back its natural form again. Refit and everything should work again.
Had this problem a lot myself untill I put in a heater over night (next to pump and hoses) to stop this.

[chrismroberts]

Thanks

Ive taken the pump apart.... is this the piece you mean....?

[Clear Vision]

Im just about to do the same with my pump. Good pic! Always helps

I would guess that is the right part

[windowwashers]

I reckon that the diaphramme insede the pump has dislodged itself.
Quite simple to rectify, unscrew head, carefully remove the head itseld and check the
seating of the said diaphramme, sometimes when the pump freezes the diaphramme
(traingular rubber part usually with 3 nipples), needs taking out and placing it very hot water for
a few minutes, this will cause the rubber to take back its natural form again. Refit and everything should work again.
Had this problem a lot myself untill I put in a heater over night (next to pump and hoses) to stop this.

what heater do you use woodley ?

[chrismroberts]

Hmm, still no luck The motor suddenly started whizzing round so I put that diaphragm back on.. still going fine, then the case and screwed it together, stopped working again! It couldnt be the varistream could it?

[Davew]

My system has got really sluggish the last couple of days i've had to turn the blue dial up almost as far as it will go.

[Wayne Thomas]

Don't do like I did last week by hitting the pump violently with a stick, or tapping it with a hammer. I killed mine off by booting it to death with my steel toe cap boots whilst cursing and swearing at it.

[chrismroberts]

Don't do like I did last week by hitting the pump violently with a stick, or tapping it with a hammer. I killed mine off by booting it to death with my steel toe cap boots whilst cursing and swearing at it.

LOL!! Well its worth a try I guess? Things normally work if ya hit 'em :P

[TERRY AB]

Thanks

Ive taken the pump apart.... is this the piece you mean....?

Yes, thats what I meant, the bit in the middle sometimes is not a perfect fit and the pump sucks in air. The 3 Nipples need to be sitting correctly, might not be your problem, but a spare will only cost a few quid as is always worth keeping in reserve.
If you think the variotech is the problem them disconnect the it from the pump and hot wire the pump from the battery, if it then works at full speed you will know where the problem lies.

[chrismroberts]

Thanks

Ive taken the pump apart.... is this the piece you mean....?

Yes, thats what I meant, the bit in the middle sometimes is not a perfect fit and the pump sucks in air. The 3 Nipples need to be sitting correctly, might not be your problem, but a spare will only cost a few quid as is always worth keeping in reserve.
If you think the variotech is the problem them disconnect the it from the pump and hot wire the pump from the battery, if it then works at full speed you will know where the problem lies.

Cheers mate! Thats the plan of action for the morning! Cant see a thing now so will have to lose another loada work Thing is I hope this doesnt keep me out of action til the end of the week, gotta few bigguns that I've booked in that are gonna keep me goin for cash over the break!

[Londoner]

Does anyone know if you can buy spares for the pumps or is it just a new pump every time?

[windowwashers]

Thanks

Ive taken the pump apart.... is this the piece you mean....?

Yes, thats what I meant, the bit in the middle sometimes is not a perfect fit and the pump sucks in air. The 3 Nipples need to be sitting correctly, might not be your problem, but a spare will only cost a few quid as is always worth keeping in reserve.
If you think the variotech is the problem them disconnect the it from the pump and hot wire the pump from the battery, if it then works at full speed you will know where the problem lies.

Cheers mate! Thats the plan of action for the morning! Cant see a thing now so will have to lose another loada work Thing is I hope this doesnt keep me out of action til the end of the week, gotta few bigguns that I've booked in that are gonna keep me goin for cash over the break!

if you are off today, go and drive and buy a new one, problem solved

[chrismroberts]

Thanks

Ive taken the pump apart.... is this the piece you mean....?

Yes, thats what I meant, the bit in the middle sometimes is not a perfect fit and the pump sucks in air. The 3 Nipples need to be sitting correctly, might not be your problem, but a spare will only cost a few quid as is always worth keeping in reserve.
If you think the variotech is the problem them disconnect the it from the pump and hot wire the pump from the battery, if it then works at full speed you will know where the problem lies.

Cheers mate! Thats the plan of action for the morning! Cant see a thing now so will have to lose another loada work Thing is I hope this doesnt keep me out of action til the end of the week, gotta few bigguns that I've booked in that are gonna keep me goin for cash over the break!

if you are off today, go and drive and buy a new one, problem solved

I dont have £100.

[windowwashers]

Thanks

Ive taken the pump apart.... is this the piece you mean....?

Yes, thats what I meant, the bit in the middle sometimes is not a perfect fit and the pump sucks in air. The 3 Nipples need to be sitting correctly, might not be your problem, but a spare will only cost a few quid as is always worth keeping in reserve.
If you think the variotech is the problem them disconnect the it from the pump and hot wire the pump from the battery, if it then works at full speed you will know where the problem lies.

Cheers mate! Thats the plan of action for the morning! Cant see a thing now so will have to lose another loada work Thing is I hope this doesnt keep me out of action til the end of the week, gotta few bigguns that I've booked in that are gonna keep me goin for cash over the break!

if you are off today, go and drive and buy a new one, problem solved

I dont have £100.

can you not trad for the first half of today then use the money to buy a new pump?

[chrismroberts]

What would be the point? Id have to redo first cleans next time round on the houses I did this morning. And I'm not even sure its the pump thats playing up. Thanks for your advice though mate, got a coupla ideas I'm gonna try... will keep you all posted

[chrismroberts]

OK, a quick update for anyone whos interested or having the same problem...

Light on the varistream was flashing, couple of guys suggested this could be it telling me there wasnt enough power in the van battery so I swapped the it with the car one and gave it a whirl.... still nothing. So to rule out the varistream I connected the pump directly to the van power supply and ran the engine.... nothing. Took the pump apart, no loose connections.... I took it into a pump specialist in Chester who tell me that in the process of taking it apart I appear to have damaged the spring loaded mechanism in the top of the pump. (Note to anyone fiddling with a Shurflo.... dont take the top off!  )

Have found some space on a credit card and ordered a new one from Wintecs. Should arrive tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

[Davew]

I see pure freedom are doing the pump and a varistreem (digital) for £149 inc vat and delivery on ebay. Looks to be a reasonable price.
................... and hate to tell you but they do the pump on it's own for £79. Unless it's lower output of course.

[Wayne Thomas]

I had trouble with my pump, well actually both of them last week. It's sod's law it's always at the most inconvenient time (Xmas). So, now I have 2 new pumps and I have it set up so that I can change over pumps literally in about 5 secs whilst still using the same varistream, so now I have learnt my lesson the hard way but I am now prepared for the next time it happens. If you have the spare cash and the time to set it up then it will save you the work time lost and the frustration when your pump packs up on you sometime in the future.

[chrismroberts]

I see pure freedom are doing the pump and a varistreem (digital) for £149 inc vat and delivery on ebay. Looks to be a reasonable price.
................... and hate to tell you but they do the pump on it's own for £79. Unless it's lower output of course.

Yeh I saw that one, good price! I just REALLY need it this week..... and wintecs were the only one i could find doing overnight delivery! Ah well. Such is life.

I had trouble with my pump, well actually both of them last week. It's sod's law it's always at the most inconvenient time (Xmas). So, now I have 2 new pumps and I have it set up so that I can change over pumps literally in about 5 secs whilst still using the same varistream, so now I have learnt my lesson the hard way but I am now prepared for the next time it happens. If you have the spare cash and the time to set it up then it will save you the work time lost and the frustration when your pump packs up on you sometime in the future.

Thats pretty cool, how do you change over? Just transfer the hose or keep a Y connector with hoses attached to both of them?