Leak Question

Thanks Jim. the pool is about 8-9 years old. I just changed the pump motor a few months ago and now I saw this today. There was also air in my filter that I had to bleed out. I'm wondering if I can just change the O ring out to fix this. Today is the first time in the 2 years we've owned this house that I noticed the leak at this spot.

Tim
 
Last edited:
Tim,

Sorry I did no make myself clear.. If it is the kind of pump union I think it is, it will have two O-Rings.. One is between the pump body and the union and the other is between the two union halves. From your pic, it appears to be O-Ring between the pump body and the union is leaking.. The only way to get to that O-Ring is to remove the lower half of the Union..

I just don't see a problem here.. The unions allow you to just disconnect the pump and move it out of the way, which will allow you to remove the lower part of the union and replace the O-Ring or just inspect it, lube it up and reinstall it. While I had it apart I would also look at the intake union.

In "theory" when you rely on the threaded connection to prevent leaks (Air or water) they tend to leak after a few years.. The whole point of a pump union is that you don't rely on the threaded connection, you rely on the O-Ring between the pump body and the union. You can see the O-Ring on the threaded end of the union, if you look at the pics in the link I posted.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
No. No teflon needed. The 0-ring will seal to water proof when you draw it together with the compression ring.

On that note, Do not put a big pipe wrench on the compression ring. I will likely be waterproof just by a good, snug hand tightening. A wrench will likely crack the compression ring

Sorry, I'll bet you meant where the pump body connects. Yes, either teflon tape (about 2-3 wraps or pipe dope available at any HD/Lowes. For that size fitting, I like pipe dope best but either will do.
 
Tim,

When you use pump unions, you do not need tape or paste.. The O-Ring between the pump body and the threaded end of the union is what prevents a leak. You can add a little tape or paste, but if you add too much you will not be able to thread the union into the pump body far enough to compress the O-Ring.

Not sure I wanted you to buy anything.. The link was just to show you how the pump union is made. It can't hurt to have new ones on hand.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Tim,

It could be a bad O-Ring, but my money is on the fact that the installer used too much tape and this will not allow the threaded section to compress the O-Ring against the pump body.

Either way, you will need to remove the threaded piece to get at the O-Ring.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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.