I could use some help troubleshooting my pool. I have a single-speed 2HP pump with 2 Jandy valves (a suction Spa-Pool and a return Spa-Pool). I recently noticed that when I would turn the pool heater on in Spa mode, it would short-cycle. At first, the water would heat up like normal, but once the water temperature reached about 75°F, it would continue climbing to the high-temperature kill (104°F) and turn off. As the heater turned off, temperature would fall back down to 75°F and the heater would light again, climbing back to 104°F within 2-3 minutes and turning off again. While troubleshooting, I did notice that the pump basket would start to get some air bubbles and occasionally would surge, so I believe the issue is low flow when I am in spa mode.
As I continued to troubleshoot, I have learned a few more things:
- Filter pressure jumps from ~15psi in Pool mode to ~35psi in Spa mode.
- Despite the pool having 4 return jets and the spa having 4 return jets, the flow rate feels much stronger in the pool.
- If I have the Return set to Spa, whether I set the Suction to Pool or Spa, I experience the same low flow issue, so I don't think there is a blockage in the Spa Suction lines.
- If I have the Return set to Pool, everything runs fine even if Suction is set to Spa (until the spa drains).
With all this, I believe I have a blockage/restriction in the Spa Return lines (please let me know if you disagree!), but I can't figure out how to clear it. So far, I have:
- Used a Drain King from the Return Jandy valve to try to push the blockage into the Spa (got some flow to the Spa, but no relief in pressure).
- Used a Drain King from the Spa Return nozzles (even tried plugging off the other Returns to try to force the water up to the Return valve).
- Ran a snake down into the Spa Return plumbing (couldn't get very deep - maybe 3 or 4' - I'm assuming I hit a 90 and couldn't get around it).
- Drained the Spa level down below the nozzles and used a shop vac to try to suck out any blockage.
Nothing is working - Spa pressure is still right at 35psi. Does anyone have any ideas to try to get things flowing again? Do I need to get someone out to try to blast it with compressed air? Do I try some sort of Draino type product? I'm at a loss - any tips would be greatly appreciated!
As I continued to troubleshoot, I have learned a few more things:
- Filter pressure jumps from ~15psi in Pool mode to ~35psi in Spa mode.
- Despite the pool having 4 return jets and the spa having 4 return jets, the flow rate feels much stronger in the pool.
- If I have the Return set to Spa, whether I set the Suction to Pool or Spa, I experience the same low flow issue, so I don't think there is a blockage in the Spa Suction lines.
- If I have the Return set to Pool, everything runs fine even if Suction is set to Spa (until the spa drains).
With all this, I believe I have a blockage/restriction in the Spa Return lines (please let me know if you disagree!), but I can't figure out how to clear it. So far, I have:
- Used a Drain King from the Return Jandy valve to try to push the blockage into the Spa (got some flow to the Spa, but no relief in pressure).
- Used a Drain King from the Spa Return nozzles (even tried plugging off the other Returns to try to force the water up to the Return valve).
- Ran a snake down into the Spa Return plumbing (couldn't get very deep - maybe 3 or 4' - I'm assuming I hit a 90 and couldn't get around it).
- Drained the Spa level down below the nozzles and used a shop vac to try to suck out any blockage.
Nothing is working - Spa pressure is still right at 35psi. Does anyone have any ideas to try to get things flowing again? Do I need to get someone out to try to blast it with compressed air? Do I try some sort of Draino type product? I'm at a loss - any tips would be greatly appreciated!
