RV Antifreeze By Pass Not Working

I installed a Camco Antifreeze by pass with hose to insert a bottle of anti freeze this summer, but I cannot get it to draw antifreeze from the bottle. The hose is not blocked (blow test), the pump puts some pressure in the water system (can here it release when a faucet is opened) but no flow of the pink stuff. I have read and re-read the instructions and I think I followed them correctly. There was no problem while camping and drawing water from the fresh water tank with this bypass installed but in the open position.

Any one have any ideas on what the problem is and the best fix?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

Hi Glen,

Dumb question, but, you did install the T on the tank side of the pump? Right? And you have to turn the valve to make it suck the ponk stuff from the hose.

In order for the pump to draw the antifreeze in, a tap has to be at least partially open. Try opening a tap while the pump is running. It might take a minute or two.

Tom and Ken;

Thanks for the input. I'm sure It's installed on the tank side. the pipe out the other side goes to the filter. I had a faucet open for 5-10 minutes with no luck.

Any other thoughts?

mine was installed backwards and pumping it into the fresh water tank....took a little while to figure that one out.

Be sure you put the valve on the right way. When I installed mine I put the valve on Backwards

I had the same problem. I had to prime mine to get it to work and yes I did have a faucet open. I felt that was strange, the pump would pull the water from the fresh water tank and not out of a gug two feet away. I guess I might have had an air leak on the supply side but I don't remember finding a leak?? Hope I hear what works. I'll be doing mine soon.

Duke - priming, now there is a thought. I wonder if we have a large syringe around here, or a maybe basting bulb that would fill the plastice hose before I put it in the bottle? Think I will try that.

Thanks!

Problem solved. It was installer error.

Priming did not help; so I took the bypass off the pump and studied the valve. Because my pump is installed with the motor end toward the rear and the pump facing the front hatch I had installed the valve assembly with the little valve handle toward the rear so it was easier to see. My thinking was that reversing the direction that the handle faced (on the directions drawing) would make it work the same. That was the mistake. The by pass valve will work in either direction for freshwater but in only one direction for the anti-freeze. So installing it in reverse meant that there was no suction from the pump to the antifreeze bottle.

Once I reinstalled it correctly it worked promptly (when I opened a faucet).

Thanks again for the help. all.

Help! I'm having the same problem...at least, a problem....getting mine to work. When you are looking at your pump thru the hatch left side hatch) are the valves on the pump at the front? If so, did you put the T valves on the right side of the pump? AND...if so, is the OPEN/BYPASS valve facing you or in the back (which is toward the front of the right)? Am I making any sense?? Thanks!

I figured it out. See my post under "Help with winterizing, please."

Thanks for your help!

Deanna wrote:I figured it out. See my post under "Help with winterizing, please."

Thanks for your help!

Glad you got it. .....