Reluctant Shurflo diaphragm water pump.

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jonjo

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The Shurflo domestic fresh water pump on my Bavaria is 5 years old is playing up, over the past year it sometimes required a kick on the bulkhead to which the pump is mounted in order to persuade the thing to pump.

My guess is the mechanical part of the low pressure trigger switch is getting gummed up. Last weekend the pump refused to work no matter how heavy the kick.

The pump is now home with me. Does anyone know where I should start the dismantling process?

On the body label it says "Diaphragm Pump, SHURFlo, 2.8gpm, 12v, Made June 2004, 2095-423-243
 
Yeah, first put the kettle on and make tea. This is an essential to any dismantling process. Having a fag is optional.

Start at the connection end where the pump bit is and take everything off in order and layout bits in order of removal on a clean surface as you go. Carefully inspect all bits, especially the pressure switch seals and diaphraghm which is where your problem might be. Check the switch micro operates on/off freely, switch lube can improve things here but i suspect you need a set of seals etc.
 
I was having no end of problems with mine not starting. Looking at the log from the previous owner, this had been going on since 2006. The trick was to drop a hatch cover to start the pump. I dismantled and cleaned all to no availl. I suspected it was the pressure switch so I bypassed it as I have microswitched taps. This was the undoing of my brilliant idea. I left the domestics switched on an whilst away from the boat one of the microswitches made contact and as there was no pressure switch in the circuit it forced water out of the two weekest pipe joins and into the bilge!!!! Well at least until the domestic batteries were totally flat.

I swore lots, the wife took pitty and bought me a new shiny domestic water pump. The old one has been dispatched appropriatly!!!!!!
 
I had the same problem and really struggled getting the pump apart until I found the pump end is held on the shaft with an allen screw thats hidden inside the head, not only that but the allen screw head is a really odd size. I never found a key to fit and in the end just opened the other end of the motor so I could get the shaft turning again then sprayed lots of WD40 and then silicone grease in the pump end. This got it working and three years later its still working ok albeit noisier than it was before.
If you do figure out what size allen key it is I would like to know.
 
Ive got one in the garage that I broke the plastic delivery pipe bit on, the electrics were ok, if you need bits appropriate beer tokens etc etc!
Stu
 
Re: Update.

I dismantled the wet parts and all seals seemed ok, so did the pressure switch.

Then after reassembly I hooked up power direct from my car battery and it worked but then it stopped again. So I dismantled the micro switch connections and connected the motor power lead direct to the car battery with the same results, i.e. it works, it stops and then after a shake of the motor casing it springs to life again.

Either a power lead has an internal fracture or there is a bad connection within the electrical portion of the motor casing. I guess the vibration from this type of pump is not friendly to electrical connections.

Given that others have had the same problem plus the fact that ShurFlo's presence on the internet hints at a disfunctional business, I am thinking of switching to another water pump manufacturer.

Any suggestions?

Or does anyone service these pumps?
 
Re: Update.

[ QUOTE ]
.................I am thinking of switching to another water pump manufacturer.
Any suggestions? Or does anyone service these pumps?

[/ QUOTE ]
My Shurflo packed up recently (11 years old), not switching off when it should and then creating so much pressure it leaked at the seams.
Stripped microswitch mechanics at bottom end, all appeared OK. Threw it in the bin in disgust, have replaced with a Jabsco PRMax 2.9, almost a direct replacement, very pleased and especially #1 crew is delighted because it is much quieter than the Shurflo.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Try Contacting this dude:- michael@shurflo.co.uk

[/ QUOTE ]
Is he a legit representative for Shurflo?

I ask because www.shurflo.co.uk seems to belong to some domain squatter who references all sorts of 3rd party pump sites.

This address http://www.shurflo-original.com seems to point the UK outfit but the site is useless. Then there is www.shurflo.com but this is a US based operation selling more sophisticated pumping machinery.
 
Got his details after contacting the US operation myself.

Had same problems with the UK sites.

He then helped me and supplied me with service kit for mine, so sure, he is legit.
 
Re: Update.

[ QUOTE ]
have replaced with a Jabsco PRMax 2.9, almost a direct replacement, very pleased and especially #1 crew is delighted because it is much quieter than the Shurflo.

[/ QUOTE ]
Excellent news, now on my shopping list thank you.

My Shurflo was a growler, so much so that when my young niece and nephews visited the boat they squealed in delight as the sea monster under their bunk woke up.

Your post reminds me that I must buy some regular water pipe insulation foam tube because when I investigated the noise from the water pump mounting I found a good proportion of the decibels were from the flexible water piping as it pulsated and tapped on the hull.
 
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