Carver Owners Forum

Just purchased the vessel.
Filled fresh water tank (S) took a good 1/2 hr to fill.
Pump and systems worked short term, until following morning.
Following morning no water being pumped through system although pump was running, taps etc spitting under pressure.
Boat had been laid up and winterized , this was the first time using on board system.
Are there drain valves for emptying water tanks for winterizing that may need to closed.
I did see water in the forward bilge so I am assuming fresh water tank (S) drained empty.
Sure hoping the tank (s) aren't busted!
Carver manual didn't shed much light on this topic.
All systems work when on shore water at marina.
Reaching out to community for advice.

When connected to shore water thete is a check valve that keeps water from back flowing into fresh water tank so if you have no leaks using this then it does sound like you may have a water tank or plumbing failure before the check valve. My though would be to find your water tank maybe under a bed and try refilling and look for water coming out. I don't know what size tank you have and 1/2 hr to fill is really a long time. Don't think you'll find and valves to shut off for winterizing unless a previous owner added something. Let us know what you find out.

rgaidies; From what you're describing it would appear that the fresh water tank(s) drained over night into your bilge. A water pump will act like that if the tank is empty and trying to spit out remaining water in the lines. I assume your tanks are in or near the bow.

PLEASE make sure your water heater is off or you will burn out the element, when not on shore water. I have had three Carvers over the years and none of them have had a drain plug in the fresh water tank, unless it was installed subsequent to purchase, which would not make sense as it is not required.

I believe you may have a leak in one of your tanks. I don't suspect that you would have a leak in your water lines because you have been on shore water. If it was a leak in you water lines you boat would fill with water.

Any leak I have had in the tank was in the area where the water line comes out of the tank and to your water pump. There is a threaded collar at this point on the outside of the tank and over time they can separate and leak.

I would put water in the tank and visually inspect the tank(s) for leaks. You need to check your tanks, lines between the two tanks, in addition to the lines that run to your water pump. Virtually everything from the check valve on your shore water line towards the pump and tanks. It will more than likely be a connection somewhere. It could also be a hole in a tank, but this is less likely. Should be easy to find.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Greg

Put some more water in the tank. Turn on pump, bleed all faucets of air in the system. Close all faucets. The pump should stop running after a few seconds. If it keeps running you have a leak somewhere on the piping. If it stops and doesn't come on and off every once in a awhile and your tank still drains, it could be the tank. Its more than likely in the piping.
Also check your fresh water connection while the pump is on. If the check valve fails in the regulator water will be pumped from the tank and out of the fresh water inlet connection.

Tank fills from MT take quite a while depending on how much you have the fill hose running.......check at the water tank where the hose comes from to go to the freshwater pump.......if it was winterized and there is a shutoff valve there that was left closed the water can't get from the tank to the pump , unless your bilge is full of water.

When I winterize I empty the tank and leave the tank open, there is a valve in the line also.Have a look.

I have a similar question. I just bought a Santa Cruz and the seller told me it needs a new check valve for the system. He said it’s under the bed. I took the wood out and found the tank, but no check valve. There is no dock water option, is there still a check valve? Could it be the one in the pump? And I hear the pump but I have no idea where it is. Any help would be appreciated!

John

No independent check valve, they are but into the pump. No clue where it is on A Santa Cruz but someone will most likely chime in.

jrafaello wrote:Source of the post I have a similar question. I just bought a Santa Cruz and the seller told me it needs a new check valve for the system. He said it’s under the bed. I took the wood out and found the tank, but no check valve. There is no dock water option, is there still a check valve? Could it be the one in the pump? And I hear the pump but I have no idea where it is. Any help would be appreciated!

John

What''s your actual issue? All the pumps have a built-in check valve, or they wouldn't work. A check valve will isolate the two systems if you have shore water as well as an onboard pump. If you only have the tank and onboard pump, the check valve will hold pressure in the system, but it doesn't take much of a leak in the valve or elsewhere to make the pressure drop immediately unless you have an accumulator tank, which could hold a significant amount of pressure and allow up to a couple quarts to flow until the pressure drops off.

He told me there was a check valve at the water tank that needed replacement but I don't see one. I understand the pump itself would have one, that makes sense. Where is the pump located? And would the water system have an additional check valve at the tank if it doesn’t have a dock water inlet?

Good morning,

I finally found rhe valve he was talking about. Its in the bilge and it was the water filter. Thats a big difference from a check valve. Thank you everybody!