Hi all,
We have had the pool going on 8 seasons. This year we have been having 2 big issues, 1) air in the pump basket and 2) water loss has happened over night on 3 separate occasions ( 1.5-2 inches). I’ve tried several tests and can not figure it out. Not sure if there are 2 separate issues or if they are connected.
I’ve outlined below what I’ve tested: (the pump and filter O rings are supple and lubricated with silicone, all plugs are sealed with plumber tape, filters are new, all baskets are free of debris). We have floating weirs (old sylvan pool)
Any ideas of what to try next would be much appreciated , as would thoughts on the “diagnosis”.
Suction side Air Leak Tests:
1) Visual inspection of visible suction side plumbing:
Small hairline crack on superior surface of "pump joint connector ring" to the pool side plumping ( we have not touched this connection since instillation of the VS pump/cartridge filter in 2020, pool is professionally closed and we open it each year)
No water leaking around pool equipment
Pump seal is pliable and lubricated
Jandies are “ no lube” type
2) Smoke test (incense)pump at 3200rpm: Negative
3) Filter Pressure Tests pump at 3200rpm
At lower speeds there are more/ larger bubbles no loss of prime
4) “Main Drain Palpation/diver test” @ 3200rpm
Main drain on (spa drain and skimmer off), Very Large leaf used to cover the drains one at a time
4a) Right side open: pos suction (leaf stuck hard) filter pressure 5 psi
4b) Left side open: pos suction (leaf stuck hard) filter pressure 5 psi
Water Loss:
Bucket Tests:
1) In water with pump on with skimmers and main drain split 50/50-> no difference in levels (visual “measurement" only)
2) On side of deck with pump off (24hrs)-> No difference in water loss compared to pool (used calipers)
Below are the pump settings I’ve tested so far. The last time we lost a couple inches water overnight the main drain was off & main drain return and skimmers were on. The filter had air in it and I lost prime when I readjusted the values (waterline was at the bottom of the skimmers in the am, was 1/2 up the evening before)
I’m not sure how to set the main drain return and still get water back to the pump. I also am not sure if that would be needed.
I took the solar skimmer out of the pool so it didn’t get caught in a skimmer and mess up the test
Pump runs as follows:
2800prm for 12hrs starting at 7pm/1800prm for 4 hrs/ 1400prm for 4hrs)
Any advice would be appreciated.
We have had the pool going on 8 seasons. This year we have been having 2 big issues, 1) air in the pump basket and 2) water loss has happened over night on 3 separate occasions ( 1.5-2 inches). I’ve tried several tests and can not figure it out. Not sure if there are 2 separate issues or if they are connected.
I’ve outlined below what I’ve tested: (the pump and filter O rings are supple and lubricated with silicone, all plugs are sealed with plumber tape, filters are new, all baskets are free of debris). We have floating weirs (old sylvan pool)
Any ideas of what to try next would be much appreciated , as would thoughts on the “diagnosis”.
Suction side Air Leak Tests:
1) Visual inspection of visible suction side plumbing:
Small hairline crack on superior surface of "pump joint connector ring" to the pool side plumping ( we have not touched this connection since instillation of the VS pump/cartridge filter in 2020, pool is professionally closed and we open it each year)
No water leaking around pool equipment
Pump seal is pliable and lubricated
Jandies are “ no lube” type
2) Smoke test (incense)pump at 3200rpm: Negative
3) Filter Pressure Tests pump at 3200rpm
| PSI | Bubbles | Loss of prime | |
| Main drain only | 8 | Large | No |
| Spa drain only | 13 | No bubbles | No |
| Skimmers only (both) | 14 | Small | No |
| Main drain and skimmers | 14 | Small bubbles | No |
4) “Main Drain Palpation/diver test” @ 3200rpm
Main drain on (spa drain and skimmer off), Very Large leaf used to cover the drains one at a time
4a) Right side open: pos suction (leaf stuck hard) filter pressure 5 psi
4b) Left side open: pos suction (leaf stuck hard) filter pressure 5 psi
Water Loss:
Bucket Tests:
1) In water with pump on with skimmers and main drain split 50/50-> no difference in levels (visual “measurement" only)
2) On side of deck with pump off (24hrs)-> No difference in water loss compared to pool (used calipers)
Below are the pump settings I’ve tested so far. The last time we lost a couple inches water overnight the main drain was off & main drain return and skimmers were on. The filter had air in it and I lost prime when I readjusted the values (waterline was at the bottom of the skimmers in the am, was 1/2 up the evening before)
I’m not sure how to set the main drain return and still get water back to the pump. I also am not sure if that would be needed.
I took the solar skimmer out of the pool so it didn’t get caught in a skimmer and mess up the test
Pump runs as follows:
2800prm for 12hrs starting at 7pm/1800prm for 4 hrs/ 1400prm for 4hrs)
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you for the detailed analysis provided. You've done some homework. I'll start the discuss with a few items. Others will follow I'm sure.
