Losing Pressure in Tank

[Shadetree##]

I cleaned the filter grids in my filter, which I've done many times; reassembled them fine; used lube on the lid and large O ring. Everything appeared normal, no leaks that I can see, the pressure just fine, but when I shut the pump off I can hear water gurgling some in the filter and I lose pressure in the tank. I have a Waterway 2 way 2" shut off valve, I disassembled it, cleaned it thoroughly, and lubed it well. Still losing pressure.

Does anyone have an idea what may be causing the problem?

Thanks

Ken

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ken,

Not sure I fully understand, but when the pump shuts off there should be zero pressure in the filter "tank"..

When you shut off the pump, you should not hear water gurgling inside the filter. This is a sign that air is getting into the filter..

If the filter has an air release valve, that would be the first place to look. Dirt or something else could have found its way into the air release valve and is keeping it from completely closing.

One thing to try, is to blow out the air release valve.. With the pump off, and the air release valve open, use a garden hose and force water into the valve for a few seconds.. Close the valve and see if the problem has gone away..

If not something is allowing air into the filter..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[proavia]

How long did you run the pump after reassembling the filter?
Did you bleed all the air out of the filter?
Maybe check the o-ring on the pump basket lid too. Sounds like air is getting into your system.

 

[Shadetree##]

I cleaned the filter grids in my filter, which I've done many times; reassembled them fine; used lube on the lid and large O ring. Everything appeared normal, no leaks that I can see, the pressure just fine, but when I shut the pump off I can hear water gurgling some in the filter and I lose pressure in the tank. I have a Waterway 2 way 2" shut off valve, I disassembled it, cleaned reassembled as I thought that was the problem.

Ken,

Not sure I fully understand, but when the pump shuts off there should be zero pressure in the filter "tank"..

When you shut off the pump, you should not hear water gurgling inside the filter. This is a sign that air is getting into the filter..

If the filter has an air release valve, that would be the first place to look. Dirt or something else could have found its way into the air release valve and is keeping it from completely closing.

One thing to try, is to blow out the air release valve.. With the pump off, and the air release valve open, use a garden hose and force water into the valve for a few seconds.. Close the valve and see if the problem has gone away..

If not something is allowing air into the filter..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks, Jim for your response. I'll try cleaning out the air release valve. I think it may be the Waterway shut off valve, even though I've cleaned and lubed it. There are no visible leaks. I've done this job hundreds of times but this is a strange problem. I've lubed up the large O ring on the pump basket, there is no indication of an air leak when the pump is running, all works fine. The grids are all seated fine. But I know air is getting into the tank for sure. I'll keep at it as I know it's a process of elimination trying to find where it's leaking air.

Ken

 

[Shadetree##]

Hey J

Ken,

Not sure I fully understand, but when the pump shuts off there should be zero pressure in the filter "tank"..

When you shut off the pump, you should not hear water gurgling inside the filter. This is a sign that air is getting into the filter..

If the filter has an air release valve, that would be the first place to look. Dirt or something else could have found its way into the air release valve and is keeping it from completely closing.

One thing to try, is to blow out the air release valve.. With the pump off, and the air release valve open, use a garden hose and force water into the valve for a few seconds.. Close the valve and see if the problem has gone away..

If not something is allowing air into the filter..

Thanks,

Jim R.

im

Ken,

Not sure I fully understand, but when the pump shuts off there should be zero pressure in the filter "tank"..

When you shut off the pump, you should not hear water gurgling inside the filter. This is a sign that air is getting into the filter..

If the filter has an air release valve, that would be the first place to look. Dirt or something else could have found its way into the air release valve and is keeping it from completely closing.

One thing to try, is to blow out the air release valve.. With the pump off, and the air release valve open, use a garden hose and force water into the valve for a few seconds.. Close the valve and see if the problem has gone away..

If not something is allowing air into the filter..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim, what's the best way, in your opinion, to test for air leaks? I know you can be losing air from a source, but not leak any water.
Have any good ideas?

Thanks

Ken

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ken,

Just because water does not come out does not mean air can't get in.. It has a lot do with the fact that the system is under pressure when the water has to get out and it is not under any pressure when air can get in...

I have seen the air release valve let air in and not let water out several times... If you have already cleaned that valve then I would look at the large O-ring between the filter top and bottom, the O-ring under the pump lid, etc..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Shadetree##]

Ken,

Just because water does not come out does not mean air can't get in.. It has a lot do with the fact that the system is under pressure when the water has to get out and it is not under any pressure when air can get in...

I have seen the air release valve let air in and not let water out several times... If you have already cleaned that valve then I would look at the large O-ring between the filter top and bottom, the O-ring under the pump lid, etc..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim, thought you would like to know that I finally found the problem. I have had a problem for many years with the neighbor in the back of my home who has two very large Ash Trees in their backyard. Those trees put off millions of tiny seed pods and. leaves in the Fall and Winter months. Constant clean up. Well, don't you know, one of the tiny seed pods got under the O ring for the filter basket of the pump, inside the channel for the O ring on the lid. How I don't have a clue. Removed it, lubed up the O ring, put the lid on, and found the air leak had stopped. Until I removed the O ring from the channel I would have never seen the seed pod.
That was like looking for a needle in a haystack. I've been managing the cleanup and maintenance of my pool for 57 years and this was the first I've ever encountered a problem like this.

Stay well

Ken Miller