Suction side issue?

[darins10]

I'm new to the forums and after searching, I am still unable to troubleshoot my problem.

I can't seem to get my pool vacuum working to what it was a few weeks ago. When I have the water feature on, I get a 15psi and the vacuum doesn't move at all (tiny vibrations in the hose). When the water feature is turned off, I get a 20psi and the vacuum begins sucking, but very little. I don't see any air bubbles in the return side.

I found a leak to my water feature and have fixed that issue. I have looked at and replaced all the o rings (vacuum leaf basket, leaf basket and pump). I also looked at the impeller and it didn't look like there were any obstructions.

Any other thoughts for helping me troubleshoot this issue? The pump is older (5+ years) and the sand in the filter hasn't been replaced in a few years either (5 years).

Thanks and sincerely!
Newbie!

 

[JasonLion]

Welcome to TFP!

What kind of pool cleaner do you have? Especially, is it a suction side cleaner, pressure side cleaner, or does it run off of a booster pump? Also, could you tell use a bit more about your pool? How many skimmers, how many returns, main drain or not, etc?

 

[darins10]

Thanks for the reply. I have a Barracuda G3 cleaner and the hookup is on the side of the pool (a foot under the water). There is one skimmer, two returns, a main drain....

 

[darins10]

Any other thoughts on this? Would it be worthwhile seeing if the suction line has anything stuck inside it by switching my pump to 'recip'?

 

[mas985]

Had the cleaner worked at one point?

Is the filter pressure higher or lower than when it was working?

Have you tried cleaning the filter?

 

[keene3b07]

The suction line isn't clogged if you have 20psi. It sounds like the diaphragm has a rip in it. There is a yellow or white rubber piece inside of the vacuum. You need to disassemble the vacuum. This is incredibly simple. There is just a few things to unscrew by hand.

 

[darins10]

Yeah, the cleaner had been working. I haven't cleaned the filter...plenty of backwashing, but haven't cleaned the filter.

You think it's the diaphragm? That would be great. I took the vaccuum apart last week and didn't notice anything, however, my pool sees plenty of debris, so it is possible.

 

[keene3b07]

make sure when you check the diaphgram, that you check underneath the plastic ring that is around the base. It is very common for there to be a rip there. What does the filter pressure run at when everything is working fine? Does the vacuum move when you are backwashing? Does water come out while your backwashing?

 

[darins10]

I checked the diaphragm tonight and it is ripped. Hopefully this well help my issue. When everything is working my psi is between 15 - 20. Water does come out when I backwash and I can't recall if the vacuum confronts to work. I believe it does.

 

[keene3b07]

the diaphragm is the issue

 

[darins10]

Bingo. That was the issue. Thank you for your help!

 

[rdeputy]

All I have a barracuda G7 with the same problem, great suction but it only works 10 seconds then tapers off and stops. Could I have the same diaphragm problem?

 

[rdeputy]

Sorry it is a barracuda x7