Advice Requested: Replace pump union suction side

[Steelkilt]

Hi gang,
Our pump has a suction side air leak - based on the previous owner’s putty fix, and confirmed by a garden hose focused on the fitting, it appears to be the union on the suction side just upon entering the pump. If I had to guess it’s a loose connection between the threaded male connection to the pump housing. As you can see, replacing the union all together is tricky since there is less than 1” available near the valve assembly. Is it possible to just replace the male threaded portion of this union and expect a tight fit? Much appreciated! The air leak is minimal, and it never comes close to losing prime, I just want to do it right

 

[Duxdweller]

I'd try replacing the o-ring that sits in between the male/female half of the union first.

 

[Steelkilt]

I'd try replacing the o-ring that sits in between the male/female half of the union first.

Seems like an easy first try. How do you folks loosen the giant union, way too large for my normal channel lock wrench.

 

[Duxdweller]

Mine went on and off by hand (use two hands). Otherwise one of those rubber oil filter types works well

 

[Steelkilt]

Mine went on and off by hand (use two hands). Otherwise one of those rubber oil filter types works well

Thanks! Didn’t know those were a “thing”

 

[Duxdweller]

Like this:

Craftsman 2 Piece 16 Inch Rubber Strap Wrench Set, 9-45570 - - Amazon.com

Craftsman 2 Piece 16 Inch Rubber Strap Wrench Set, 9-45570 - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[Steelkilt]

Like this:

Craftsman 2 Piece 16 Inch Rubber Strap Wrench Set, 9-45570 - - Amazon.com

Craftsman 2 Piece 16 Inch Rubber Strap Wrench Set, 9-45570 - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Picked up one of these wrenches up for 7.99, grabbed an O-ring and got to work. With Union threaded free, and the pump unscrewed to the platform, I was also able to remove the male half from pump housing and reattach. I used new teflon tape. Reattached everything and now doesn’t suck a single air bubble! So psyched!!!