Fresh Waterpump noise

[Macblaze]

So my water pump goes off for a second every couple of hours seemingly repressurizing the system. I have spent literally hours searching all the lines and fittings for a leak and so far have come up with nothing. Someone suggested that it might be the diaphragm in the pump itself that is leaking. Can anyone suggest a way to test his theory? I don't want to spend the money to replace it it that's not the issue and I will admit there are places that the water lines run that I have so far not managed to be able to check.

Yes there is water in the bilge and yes it's is fresh-ish, but I also am wrestling with a leak somewhere forward and it's rainy season so the bilge water is explainable that way.

Ideas?

[meridian28]

Take a short piece of hose with one end blocked and place it as the output of the pump. If you loose pressure it will be in the pump diaphragm or the check valve.

[a64pilot]

I'm betting valve, diaphragm would leak externally I think.
Mine ended up being a leak I finally found, all it takes is a tiny drip as water isn't compressible.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by meridian28

Take a short piece of hose with one end blocked and place it as the output of the pump. If you loose pressure it will be in the pump diaphragm or the check valve.

Thanks for the suggestion...

[peghall]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I'm betting valve, diaphragm would leak externally I think.

Nope...The housing would have to leak for a leaking diaphragm to leak externally 'cuz the diaphragm only moves water from the tank through the pump to the plumbing. No exposure to the outside of the pump.

Water pump diaphragms have an average working life of about 10 years. Flexing creates a weak spot that turns into a pinhole--that's when the pump will start to cycle for barely a second, maybe only every few hours. As the pinhole gets bigger, the pump cycles longer and more frequently....till finally it runs continuously without moving any water through the pump.

Diaphragm kits aren't expensive, but you do need a little more mechanical ability than is needed to turn a doorknob to change it. Some people prefer to just replace the pump AND replace the pressure switch and diaphragm in the old one and keep it for a spare.