pump leaks

Jump to latest Follow Reply
W

wantang88

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2018
52
New Orleans
I have a PacFab Challenger pump. Initially the pump can start by itself according to the timer, but I noticed that there is a small leak at the bottom, maybe at the band clamp, when the pump is turned on. The leak appears to stop after a while as the pump keeps running. I opened the pump and added some Super Lube to seal the housing o-ring, and now the pump cannot prime after it is turned off for several minutes. Each time I must add water to the basket to start the pump, and so I cannot use the timer to have it automatically turn on.

Now each time after I add water to the basket and turn on the pump, it appears that there is no longer a leak, but when the pump is turned off, I can see that the water has been emptied from the basket and later there is some water leaking from the bottom, again possibly at the band clamp. Any suggestions on the problem?
 
If the pump only leaks when it is off, it is more than likely a suction side leak. Perhaps at the drain plug, #17.

There is also an o-ring between the pump basket and the volute that can leak, #21.

1593880223866.png
 
Hi Mas985, thanks very much for your suggestions. How should I check the drain plugs? They look fine to me. I have not checked the o-ring #21 yet, as both the basket and the volute are kind of fixed and I will try it after I rule out all other possible causes.

Do you think the housing o-ring (#14) may be a problem for the leak? To clarify, when I turn the pump off, it does not immediately leak. First the water is going from the filter to the basket and then back to the pool. This takes several minutes, and no water leak during this period. After that, some water will leak from the bottom at the band clamp. Will leak at drain plugs, or o-ring #21 and #24 results in the water leaking from the band clamp? Thanks very much for your help!

Wan
 
#14 is on the pressure side of the pump so it should leak out when the pump is on. However, it is possible that it is responsible for the air leak when the pump is off. That particular design is prone to leaks. It is worth getting the entire o-ring kit and replacing everything.
 
Hi Mas985 and James, thank you both for your valuable suggestions. I finally received the parts and the problem now looks solved after I replaced the housing o-ring (#14). So, maybe the issue was indeed the air leak from there when the pump is off. Thanks again.
Wan
 
  • Like
Reactions: JamesW
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply