Freshwater system issue

[Average Joe]

It certainly sounds like the on/off shut off button at the end of the faucet is closed. push it in the other direction. You didn't respond to that suggestion from earlier.

I have pushed the black button and I have tried removing the entire fixture, no luck so far. I just ordered a replacement faucet for the leaking one to see if that makes a difference.

 

[Average Joe]

Help us help you! Did GW give you a plumbing diagram? If so can you post it? Want to know if they show water line branches off the pump and what fixtures are on each branch. My pump is midship and branches forward to rally sink, hot water heater (removed and bypassed) then to the head sink (saltwater head). It runs aft to cockpit shower.

I'm assuming you are not hooked up to dockside water source. Assuming you are filling your freshwater tank and pressurizing the system with the freshwater pump. Please confirm.

You say the water is leaking at the bait prep station. Can you replace the fixture or disconnect and cap it off for now? Would like to know if system will pressurize and pump will stop cycling. I have seen hoses push out of fixture connectors and pump water into the boat. This was from air pressure blowing out the system in the Winter. You won't see the problem until the Spring. Happens with dockside water pressure too. Could be broken hose but less likely.

With these boats you really can't see the hose runs - they are mostly hidden. You need to figure out how things are chained together and troubleshoot. Start at the pump and look for a manifold that splits the water from the pump and sends it in multiple directions.

Is this a weekend access project?

Let us know what you find.

Still waiting on GW to send diagram, have requested it twice
Using the freshwater pump, plenty of water in the tank
Just ordered a replacement faucet for the bait prep station
It is a weekend access project, have to work during the week to pay for gas. Once I have the replacement faucet and hopefully the diagram I will try again. I will gladly share the diagram if I ever get it.

 

[Average Joe]

Probably gunked up. I don't have this boat but have worked on my Islander water system. Start by downloading the owners Manuel from GW site. See if there are multiple feeds off the fresh water pump (parallel lines) vs a long run (series system). May be a combo of series and parallel. Finding the pump can be a challenge. Mine in under the steps into cabin.

If three are not working they are likely in series with each other. Take hose(s) off pump. Try to blow compressed air from non-working fixture back. Open non-working fixtures as you do this and check for air flow. Worst case take hose completely off fixtures.

Hot water working?

Good luck!

I'm afraid to try turning on the water heater in case it's not getting water.

 

[Average Joe]

Is the block on both the hot and cold faucets?

seems to be

 

[DennisG01]

I bought the boat in March and it's the first time I have tried them.

Thanks - it may not seem important to you, but it helps alleviate questions we may have.

Still waiting on my second question. It also helps if you fully read everything we write

In lieu of a new faucet that you just ordered... can you just plug/block the line?

You don't need to turn the hot water heater "on" to see if you have water coming through the hot side of a faucet.

 

[Average Joe]

Thanks - it may not seem important to you, but it helps alleviate questions we may have.

Still waiting on my second question. It also helps if you fully read everything we write

In lieu of a new faucet that you just ordered... can you just plug/block the line?

You don't need to turn the hot water heater "on" to see if you have water coming through the hot side of a faucet.

Thanks for the hot water info and I really appreciate the help. It would also help if you read every reply I make so I don't make them twice.
The next time I am able to get to the boat it will be with the new faucet.

Is the block on both the hot and cold faucets?

yes

 

[Hookup1]

I'm afraid to try turning on the water heater in case it's not getting water.

The water heater is a flow thru container. Don't power it on for now. It has nothing to do with your problem other than the freshwater pump may be trying to fill it. Nothing will come out of your hot water lines (other than air) until the hot water tank fills.

The water heater is a branch off the cold water. Tank fills from the bottom and hot water exits out the top. Then the hot water branch of the hoses follow the cold water to the faucets. You don't want to fill the water tank with antifreeze - waste of money. You can't blow the water out because it fills from the bottom. Some owners install reversing hose kits - flip a few valves and you can blow the water out the bottom of the tank (not more than 10psi). The other option is to disconect the bottom hose to drain the tank, blow out the cold water line in, re-connect and blow out the hot water line. It's possible that you have a problem there. Difficult to winterize. My point is there are lots of opportunities for someone before you to screw something up. You need to look closely at it.

If it were my boat I would by-pass the hot water tank (disconnect both hoses and connect together with a fitting) and leave tank disconnected. If there is a by-pass connection system on the boat use it. When you get your water faucet problem sorted out try the water heater.

Water Heater Bypass Winterizing Kit | West Marine

Check out our Water Heater Bypass Winterizing Kit and more from West Marine!

www.westmarine.com

I took my water heater out. I don't stay on the boat. Used the space for a bow thruster install. Winterization is done with a small compressor, 15psi of air, empty water tank, 1 gallon of pink antifreeze, pump thru then blow out the lines.

 

[DennisG01]

Thanks for the hot water info and I really appreciate the help. It would also help if you read every reply I make so I don't make them twice.
The next time I am able to get to the boat it will be with the new faucet.

yes

Did you answer this one? If so, then I missed it.

"Does each faucet have it's own shut-off?"

 

[Hookup1]

Thanks for the hot water info and I really appreciate the help. It would also help if you read every reply I make so I don't make them twice.

Sorry to inconvenience you. Try getting you answers on The Hull Truth or Facebook Grady White Group.

 

[DennisG01]

Thanks for the hot water info and I really appreciate the help. It would also help if you read every reply I make so I don't make them twice.

Sorry to inconvenience you. Try getting you answers on The Hull Truth or Facebook Grady White Group.

At least we're getting paid to help here... oh wait, that's right, we're NOT - we're giving up our valuable, free time to try and help others simply because we, for some strange reason, enjoy it..... well, most of the time, anyways.

 

[Hookup1]

At least we're getting paid to help here... oh wait, that's right, we're NOT - we're giving up our valuable, free time to try and help others simply because we, for some strange reason, enjoy it..... well, most of the time, anyways.

I like a good puzzle. Let’s see what Joe finds over the weekend.

 

[Average Joe]

I like a good puzzle. Let’s see what Joe finds over the weekend.

Likely nothing if the new faucet and plumbing diagram don't come.

 

[Hookup1]

Likely nothing if the new faucet and plumbing diagram don't come.

How about this...
2010 Marlin owners manual. Not sure what changed on a Marlin over 10 years but I'll bet it's pretty close. GW site has archive of Owners Manuals.

 

[DennisG01]

Likely nothing if the new faucet and plumbing diagram don't come.

You don't need the new faucet to diagnose.

Plumbing on boats is pretty straight forward - not too hard to figure out by yourself once you take a little time - just take some time and inspect - it'll make sense.

 

[Average Joe]

Looks the same as what they just sent me.

 

[Average Joe]

You don't need the new faucet to diagnose.

Plumbing on boats is pretty straight forward - not too hard to figure out by yourself once you take a little time - just take some time and inspect - it'll make sense.

I hope so, the drawing does help to understand it better.

 

[DennisG01]

It's not like the tubing is going to zig-zag all over the place. This stuff is laid in place before the two halves of the boat are put together and they're not going to use more tubing than they need, you know?

Plus, if you think about it, it's all within just 30' of each other.

 

[Average Joe]

How about this...
2010 Marlin owners manual. Not sure what changed on a Marlin over 10 years but I'll bet it's pretty close. GW site has archive of Owners Manuals.

View attachment 36941

Thank you, it looks the same as what GW just sent me a little while ago. It helps to see how the lines are run. It makes me the problem might be fwd of the windshield-washer since it works and appears to branch off of the same line.

 

[Average Joe]

It's not like the tubing is going to zig-zag all over the place. This stuff is laid in place before the two halves of the boat are put together and they're not going to use more tubing than they need, you know?

Plus, if you think about it, it's all within just 30' of each other.

I have a couple of ideas where to look now. I do recall seeing a short section of tubing that was tied in aft of the pump and water heater that was just open on the end and pointing down towards the bilge. I assumed it was a condensate/ drain line. It didn't think to observe it with the pump running. The drawing shows one main line running fwd for the galley and head sink with a tee to the windshield washer. The windshield washer worked when I tried it several times, hmmm. Also, I was able to get water in the toilet bowl using the foot pedal, I don't see a line for that on here.

 

[Hookup1]

I have a couple of ideas where to look now. I do recall seeing a short section of tubing that was tied in aft of the pump and water heater that was just open on the end and pointing down towards the bilge. I assumed it was a condensate/ drain line. It didn't think to observe it with the pump running. The drawing shows one main line running fwd for the galley and head sink with a tee to the windshield washer. The windshield washer worked when I tried it several times, hmmm. Also, I was able to get water in the toilet bowl using the foot pedal, I don't see a line for that on here.

While you are in there clean the strainer on the water pump.

The hose that is hanging may be the cold water into the water heater. May have been removed and left hanging to drain it for winter. This is my best guess as to what the problem is. I always look for something the "technician" last touched. They winterized the boat and left it disconnected.

I didn't see the line from the water pump to the toilet on that diagram. There is another diagram for the toilet system that shows a cold water connection.

I don't have this type of toilet so I don't know what the foot pedal does. Toilet must store water from the low volume sink line and the pedal probably pushes volume into bowl to get a good flush. Just a guess.

That hot water heater has to fill completely up. You may be loosing water pressure on cold side. Make sure the boat water tank is full. Open hot water valves. The freshwater pump will have to run a long while to fill a 6 gallon water heater. Then maybe you will get hot water.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.