Sucking air somewhere

[davekippen]

This is probably a common question but every setup is different. I watched some videos and have checked the pump cover seal already, it seems fine. Here are the symptoms:

Bubbles in the return lines (not super bad, but bad enough)
Loud gurgling or bubbling sound in the multi-valve atop the pump when on filter
No gurgling or bubbling sound in the multi-valve when on back wash or rinse

The plumbing here does not look like any of the normal plumbing I have seen in the videos - there are no couplers other pipes that might have O-rings, just PVC and some kind of black pipe with hose clamps (which might be my problem in the first place?)

This is my first full year with this pool. Trying to figure out if I should just replace the piping "before" the pump to see if that is the problem or if anyone has other ideas I am all ears!!

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

Have you read the Suction Leaks article in Pool School? It has some ideas on how to start trying to find it.

 

[davekippen]

Great info, thanks. To clarify, there should be no bubbles at all running through the pump? zero, zilch nada?

 

[jblizzle]

Bubbles where?

The only times I can thing of where you can see bubbles in the pool returns are if you have a SWG with a short pipe run to the pool or is you have solar and the VRV valve is not fully closed. Beyond that, there should not be bubbles in the system.

Note on a low speed pump, you may see air accumulate in the pump basket, but it does not introduce bubbles into the pool.

 

[davekippen]

Sorry, bubbles in the pump. The basket lid is clear so I can see the water flowing. It has much turbulance/bubbles and I just wasnt sure if there should be *no* bubbles seen there.

 

[jblizzle]

Pump should not show any turbulence after you are primed. And it should not lose prime when the pump is off.

 

[kevreh]

Bubbles where?

The only times I can thing of where you can see bubbles in the pool returns are if you have a SWG with a short pipe run to the pool or is you have solar and the VRV valve is not fully closed. Beyond that, there should not be bubbles in the system.

Note on a low speed pump, you may see air accumulate in the pump basket, but it does not introduce bubbles into the pool.

Is the vrv valve the air check valve on the solar pannels? If its not closing, can it be fixed or need to be replaced?

 

[duraleigh]

The solar, being after the pump will have no influence on water entering the pump. OP has a suction side leak......somewhere between the skimmer(s) and the pump.