Chugging from pipe when Jets are turned on!

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Sabrinab96

Sabrinab96

Member
Jan 20, 2022
6
Michigan
Pool Size
6500
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
I have an indoor pool on our home. I recently installed a new check valve and hose to my chlorination system as the original was slow leaking on to the pump room floor! Purchased all OEM Pentair parts and appropriate pipe tape was used. Checked for leaks and everything was good. Since then when I turn on the jets it indicates that air is in the lines as I get a loud Chugging sound in my pipes. If jets are off it operates fine. I have cleaned and used lube on all o-rings to insure no leaks of air. I purged the pump system and also removed air from the filter with the release valve. I don’t have any bubbles in my pumps attached skimmer window! Recently had this same issue and had our pool guy replace the pumps o-rings as they were bad and it solved the problem.

This is still new to us as we are taking over my significant others family home. I know it can’t be a busted pipe as everything was fine until I attempted to start using our in line chlorination system again. I’m sure I’m not doing something correctly to remove air from the system.

Any advice would help!
 
Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
Which "jets" are you referring to?
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I should have been more clear I apologize. Our pool is a pool spa combo. The Shallow end has two seats and 4 jets! The deep end is just pool!

I hear the chugging sound when we turn the jets on for that end. This sound has happened before and our pool guy knew it was air in the filtration system so I know it’s air related from the sound! He found a kinked o- ring and replaced them, he is currently off so I’m running this solo.

I’m only hearing the chugging sound when I turn the jets on not if I leave them off. And the dial for the jets is right before the in line chlorination system I just made the repair on. I’ll attach some photos for reference!
 
Sabrinab96 said:
I should have been more clear I apologize. Our pool is a pool spa combo. The Shallow end has two seats and 4 jets! The deep end is just pool!

I hear the chugging sound when we turn the jets on for that end. This sound has happened before and our pool guy knew it was air in the filtration system so I know it’s air related from the sound! He found a kinked o- ring and replaced them, he is currently off so I’m running this solo.

I’m only hearing the chugging sound when I turn the jets on not if I leave them off. And the dial for the jets is right before the in line chlorination system I just made the repair on. I’ll attach some photos for reference!
Click to expand...
998BECD8-1BA4-4460-817A-DBF001913417.jpeg7EAEACE4-5B0A-46B6-AE87-C9C03D1CF1C1.jpegD2F3F5DC-8B3A-4405-8528-DC63DC29050F.jpeg7F6C53BE-3BD3-4925-B734-C0175A326B97.jpegDFF02301-6177-4FE4-AD00-7DF84F86B001.jpeg
 
Does the sound stop eventually, after the air clears?

Is there normal pressure at the jets when you turn that valve on? Make sure there's no obstruction blocking that line.

Under normal conditions, do these jets blow out bubbles?
 
Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
Does the sound stop eventually, after the air clears?

Is there normal pressure at the jets when you turn that valve on? Make sure there's no obstruction blocking that line.

Under normal conditions, do these jets blow out bubbles?
Click to expand...
No the sound won’t stop once the jets are on. They never had the sound in the pipe previously besides recently when air was being sucked in the system with the kinked gasket in the pump basket housing. The jets are giving out the same pressure and do create bubbles on the surface of the water as per normal. Just have this obnoxious sound again of air in our filtration system!

I replaced the check valve dial on the chlorination system as it had a hairline crack that started dripping. The braided 3/8 PVC hose is all new as well. I installed it two days ago myself as it was a very simple repair. Each fitting I used pipe tape for sealer as the pool parts store recommended. I’ve checked all areas where air could be leaking in at my repair site pictured and have no leaks of water found.

I know air was let into the system during the repair. I have tried to remove the air by purging the pool pump per online instructions and also releasing the valve at the top of my filter and still have the sound. So I then replaced the O-ring with silicone lubricant in the chlorination cap to see if air was being sucked in that way and tried the method of purging for a air lock in the chlorination system by removing the cap turning on the pool system allowing water to begin spilling over the top of the chlorinating device and replacing cap to purge an air lock from the chlorination system. That also did not help.

The pool has been in operation for around 21 years since the home was built! The in line chlorination system has not been used in roughly 15 years. We typically use liquid bottled chlorine. The leak started so we figured we would fix it and attempt to start using it again and I now fully regret the decision of even messing with it altogether!
 
Sabrinab96 said:
No the sound won’t stop once the jets are on. They never had the sound in the pipe previously besides recently when air was being sucked in the system with the kinked gasket in the pump basket housing. The jets are giving out the same pressure and do create bubbles on the surface of the water as per normal. Just have this obnoxious sound again of air in our filtration system!

I replaced the check valve dial on the chlorination system as it had a hairline crack that started dripping. The braided 3/8 PVC hose is all new as well. I installed it two days ago myself as it was a very simple repair. Each fitting I used pipe tape for sealer as the pool parts store recommended. I’ve checked all areas where air could be leaking in at my repair site pictured and have no leaks of water found.

I know air was let into the system during the repair. I have tried to remove the air by purging the pool pump per online instructions and also releasing the valve at the top of my filter and still have the sound. So I then replaced the O-ring with silicone lubricant in the chlorination cap to see if air was being sucked in that way and tried the method of purging for a air lock in the chlorination system by removing the cap turning on the pool system allowing water to begin spilling over the top of the chlorinating device and replacing cap to purge an air lock from the chlorination system. That also did not help.

The pool has been in operation for around 21 years since the home was built! The in line chlorination system has not been used in roughly 15 years. We typically use liquid bottled chlorine. The leak started so we figured we would fix it and attempt to start using it again and I now fully regret the decision of even messing with it altogether!
Click to expand...
This was what the chlorination system had on prior to my repair a few days ago! That was the original check valve and braided 3/8 PVC hose from installation 21 years ago! BF2BAB50-BCCC-4E23-B141-E0C74E775370.jpeg
 
If your skimmer basket is not showing signs of air bubbles, then you do not have a suction side leak. If there was a leak on the pressure side the plumbing, it would leak water while the pump was running and would suck air with the pump off.

Looking at your equipment pad, I see an air vent directly in front of the pump. The air vent allows air into the spa Jets to create the Bubbles at the returns. With the bubbles on, you should hear air entering through that pipe.

If you're not hearing the same noise or seeing bubbles coming out of the other returns when Spa jets are off, I'm not sure you have a problem.

Maybe others can chime in and lend some assistance.
 
Last edited:
Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
If your skimmer basket is not showing signs of air bubbles, then you do not have a suction side leak. If there was a leak on the pressure side the plumbing, it would leak water while the pump was running and would suck air with the pump off.

Looking at your equipment pad, I see an air vent directly in front of the pump. The air vent allows air into the spa Jets to create the Bubbles at the returns. With the bubbles on, you should hear air entering through that pipe.

If you're not hearing the same noise or seeing bubbles coming out of the other returns when Spa jets are off, I'm not sure you have a problem.

Maybe others can chime in and lend some assistance.
Click to expand...
Yes that pipe I believe you are referring to looks like a candy cane and has the opening at the end! It sucks to my hand if I place my hand over it. That’s where the chugging sound is coming from! It normally don’t make any noise at all when the jets run (Unless I just never noticed it before).
 
Sabrinab96 said:
Yes that pipe I believe you are referring to looks like a candy cane and has the opening at the end! It sucks to my hand if I place my hand over it. That’s where the chugging sound is coming from! It normally don’t make any noise at all when the jets run (Unless I just never noticed it before).
Click to expand...
I have a similar vent. I do hear the sound of sucking air, but no chugs. It does appear as though your system is operating properly with no air/water leaks.
 

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Hey Sabrina !!! Try the obvious thing missing between the before/after pics. The clamps. The new flex pipe fits over the barbed nipple but all those ridges/barbs lessen the surface area of the seal. If it was a high pressure line it would have blown apart in no time.

Personally I don't like the compression clamps like the old ones. You only get one shot to crimp it and there is little future adjustment available. These are widely available at Hd/lowes/Walmart/hardware stores so pick an appropriate size.
 
If that doesn't work, you're out $3 for something you needed anyway. Then open the chlorinator and lube/ reseat the seal gasket.

I'm with you that it's too suspicious that it happened coincidentally out of the blue with the repair. So retrace and fix those steps first.

Overall though..... awesome job with what you did. It's so easy but most wouldn't attempt it as it seems too scary. (y)
 
On another subject, be careful how much you use that trichlor chlorinator. Your indoor pool only needs a little CYA and the trichlor is very acidic. You should continue to primarily use liquid chlorine for sanitation.
 
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