Is my Hayward Navigator broken?

[fscott]

Hi

When the pump is on with just the skimmer working the pump basket doesn't have any air in it. However when the pool cleaner is going there is a lot of air in the pump basket. I make sure to purge air from the tubing when I put it in. Could there be something wrong with it? A leak hole in the tubing maybe?

Cheers,
Fiona

 

[Guest]

Are all the connections tight, Fiona? Sometimes when you connect the hose pieces they do not fit together all the way, and you can draw air in that way.

 

[fscott]

hmm, will go check the fittings...

 

[Shane1]

I haad the same thing simicrintz mentioned. I now dip the ends in the pool to get them wet before joining them together. The water serves as lubrication and makes it easier to push them together.

 

[gabagoo]

I hd the same issue until someone on here wrote to put the end of the hose up to the jets and let the jet force all the air out, then I put my hand over the opening and then plug it into the skimmer with very little air getting in.

 

[fscott]

Ok now this is driving me mad. Have tried all the suggested remedies and then some other ideas I had:

1. Put together tubes under water...check...still lot of air.

2. hold tubes against return jet to fill with water....check...still lot of air.

3. checked tubes for holes, found a couple of tiny ones. Bought 8 new tubes...still lot of air.

4. Slowly added one tube at a time and check pump basket for air...when it gets to 5 or 6 long the air becomes a problem again. Doesn't matter what order I put them together so I don't think there's any holes or issues with bad seals.

My current theory: the pump is having a hard time sucking in enough water to fill the pump basket while the tubes are attached, probably due to reduced flow through the tubes as opposed to the skimmer.

What I don't understand is why this seems to be a recent problem. We had the pump motor replaced a while back but this issue has only arisen months later.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Fiona

 

[Guest]

Fiona, Did someone adjust a valve???

 

[gabagoo]

Ihad the same issue and then I did the old put the end of the hose on the jet and run water in it to force the air out , then take it out of the water and put my palm over the opening and then jam it into the skimmer opening. Sometimes I still get some air and if it lasts a little to long I slowly open the main drain and then shut it again a few times and then the pressure builds up again. I just wish my navigator would stop getting stuck in different areas of the pool so often!!

 

[fscott]

Sal: I'm not sure to be honest. If so, which valve could it be and where would I find it?

 

[Guest]

You should have a three way, that adjusts your vacuum somewhere at the pump end. You could have a leak there maybe???