pump basket air - should there be any?

[ChewBiscuit]

Hello!

I was having trouble with priming my vacuum hose and was browsing around for possible causes, and one mentioned was a suction side air leak.

Question: When my pump is in normal operation (no vacuum attached), looking through the lid the basket is completely full except for a small air pocket at the top, between 1/3 and 1/2 the diameter of the lid. Does that indicate an air leak, or is that normal?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[pabeader]

It's most likely normal. An easy way to 'prime' the vacuum hose is to hold it over a return. Once all the bubbles stop it's pretty near full.

 

[ChewBiscuit]

Yeah, I did that. I just wanted to rule out the leak issue. That's a relief at least that the bubble at the top is fairly normal.

Um, I just realized my vac head is missing one of the little knob things, there's one on each side. Not sure what those are for, would that affect it? (sorry if this is a dumb question...)

 

[pabeader]

Sorry, will need a picture to help with that one.

 

[ChewBiscuit]

Sorry, will need a picture to help with that one.

Like this, one of the two blue knobs is missing:

 

[pabeader]

If the whole piece is missing you are going to lose suction through that hole.

 

[ChewBiscuit]

AHHHHH, I wish I would have thought of that sooner.

Alright, I will get a vacuum head then. Thanks for fielding my questions!

 

[pabeader]

You could try putting strong tape. like Gorilla tape, on top covering the four little holes.

- - - Updated - - -

The only purpose for those is to help relieve some of the vacuum. Not sure why you would want to do that, though.

 

[ChewBiscuit]

Alright, thanks again!

 

[pabeader]

You are very welcome! Glad to be of service.