www.iFourWinns.com

My fresh water system doesn't seem to remain preassurized. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Any thoughts on where to start looking for the problem? 1999 269.

Thanks

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1999 Vista 268

Start with the pump strainer. Make sure it is clean.
On my 278 the pump is located under the step going down into the cabin.

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The Dance II
2007 278 Vista
6.2L Mercruiser

I would agree with TheDance II to start with the strainer. The strainer should be part of a routine (maybe yearly) check. The strainer is on the inlet side of the pump. My 2002 268 has the pump mounted just ahead of the water tank on the starboard side of the engine compartment. If your boat has a built in generator set the water tank will be on the port side, and the I believe the pump will be also.

If you are saying that the pump occasionally runs even though no faucet has been opened, the problem could be caused by several things:

1. You may have a leak in the plumbing. Look for any signs of water in the areas where the plumbing is routed throughout the boat. You might need to clean and dry everything and keep checking. I used those normally available plain old light blue paper towels that change to a darker blue color when wet to wipe down areas that are harder to see. I found that I had a plumbing connection in the engine compartment that was not fully engaged. I disassembled several connections and re-connected them and my leak was cured. These connections are "Whale" brand. Press the gray or white ring around the hose into the fitting to disengage the locking mechanism to remove the hose. See the website for more info: http://www.whalepumps.com/marine/siteFi ... erview.pdf

2. If there is no plumbing leak, the pump could have an internal leak allowing the water on the output side of the pump to seep past the check valve(s) back to the inlet side. This would require either replacing or rebuilding the pump.

3. The water heater should have some air in the tank to allow for expansion when the water heats up. As the water cools there will be some contracting and it is possible that the pump may run momentarily. Without enough air space for expansion, the temperature/pressure relief valve will vent your hot water supply into the bilge. While You probably have an Atwood EHM-6 water heater (6 gallon).
See: http://www.atwoodmobile.com/images/waterheater.pdf

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Thank you both! I'll let you know what I find.

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1999 Vista 268

I chased a leak in my fresh water system for a couple weeks before finding that my transom shower was leaking at the connections which would put water in my storage box. This would also cause my pump to cycle on and off every so often.

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2002 268 Vista