How about maybe putting compressed air in the filler hole as an alternative,
if sucking is repugnant to you?  I bet you could just put a gas station air
hose into the tank filler, maybe with a rag to stop the air coming right
back out  and get enough pressure in there to start the water through the
pump...

On Sat, May 29, 2010 at 7:03 PM, Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@gmail.com> wrote:

> >>but I have learned that
> >>the pump sometimes has to be primed on my van. So I wrap my lips
> >>around
> >>the faucet, turn on the pump, and suck.
>
> Yes the pump can need priming. I'm pretty sure Jeff is from Winnipeg which
> means he has a Canadian Westy with the water pump under the sink rather
> than
> in the tank. That's what I have in my 84. I prime the pump by pulling
> off the hose that leads to the tank for a second. The tank's pressure fills
> the hose -- I then jam it back on the pump -- put the clamp back on and the
> tap will now work. I had never though of the more intimate method described
> above :-)
>
> Cheers,
> Doug
>