Pump dry when starting OK?

[billfred]

I run my pump on a timer. I noticed that when it starts up the filter basket isn't full of water and it has to suck water in. It gets going OK. I just wanted to make sure this wasn't a problem.
There's a sticker on the pump that says the basket should be full of water prior to starting, that's why I'm asking.

 

[JohnKrupp]

Not ok. It may be priming now but if one morning it doesn't it will likely result in damage to the plumbing and the seals. Unless you catch it that is.

 

[duraleigh]

Is there enough water in the basket that it froths around in there immediately and then catches prime a little later?

 

[billfred]

Yeah, there's some water in the basket. It does "froth" around and then starts pumping.

 

[duraleigh]

Probably be Ok like that for a while but hopefully you can track down that tiny, tiny leak and your pump will hold prime completely and fire right up.

 

[JohnKrupp]

Its not necessarily tiny but its definitely something that should be taken care.

 

[billfred]

I looked at the pump this morning. The basket was nearly empty. Just a little bit of water left in the bottom of the basket. Just to be safe, I removed the timer and am running the pump continously.

I didn't see any obvious leaks. I'll look again tonight.

 

[JohnKrupp]

For the trap to be nearly empty suggests a low leak. Does your pump leak underneath while its running?

- - - Updated - - -

There are also two drain plugs on most pumps and they can also cause what you are describing.

 

[billfred]

Re: Pump dry when starting OK? - SOLVED

I think I figured it out, I was sucking air in from the top of the basket/pot on the pump. Fixed that and now water is staying in there when the pump is off.

Thanks

 

[billfred]

It's happening again. ?
I replaced the lid o-ring and greased it up. The lid is definitely tight. I see no signs of water from anywhere signifying a leak. The pump basket stays completely full when running. Any ideas?

IMG 2374 — imgbb.com
IMG 2375 — imgbb.com

 

[duraleigh]

I see no signs of water from anywhere signifying a leak.

It's not a water leak.....it's air being sucked into the system. Do you see any bubbles at all passing through the pump strainer basket?

 

[billfred]

As soon as I unplug the pump I see air bubbles coming from what seems like the bottom of the lid where the o-ring is. However, even if I rotate the lid, the bubbles still come from the same spot on the housing. That makes me think it's not the lid or the o-ring.

The bubbles always come up from the inlet side of the basket housing. Any ideas on how i can find where the air is being sucked in from?

 

[billfred]

Nevermind, I found this...

Pool School - Leak Detection

 

[pooldv]

This one might be better, Pool School - Suction Side Air Leaks

 

[billfred]

I think I found the air is coming in where the PVC comes into the pump/basket. You can see where the previous owner globed a bunch of sealant around there. It really only seems to be a problem when I stop the pump. The basket stays completely full when the pump is running. Maybe I just leave the pump running 24/7 this year and deal with fixing it properly the next off season.

IMG 2375 — imgbb.com

 

[duraleigh]

Next season is fine. Most pools only need filtering (pump on) for maybe 6-8 hours daily. Your 24/7 fix for the air leak will cost you some bucks. Is that a single speed pump.

 

[billfred]

Yeah, single speed. I think last year I figured out that I'd save a couple hundred by running it on the timer.

I don't know, maybe I'll get ambitious and try to fix. I do have unions on the unit, so that makes it a bit easier.

 

[duraleigh]

You might be paying $200 or so (in electric) extra for putting it off. I don't want to be a scare monger but I would fic it up nice and clean.....it'll likely stop that leak and last for years.

 

[billfred]

Yeah, it might be a simple project since I do have a union. It appears to be a male threaded fitting that goes into the inlet of the pump.?

 

[pabeader]

That sounds right. At least it matches mine.