Hey again,
OK, here is what I have found so far. I opened up my cartridge filters and cleaned them both out. They were VERY dirty. Did not expect that at all. So cleaned out the entire filter housing and both filters, spotless. I stuck my fingers into the pump just to see if I felt anything. I did not. I put shaving cream around every joint on the suction side of the pump and all piping, unions etc. No air leak.
I have 2 skimmers, 3 water supplies and a suction port used to vacuum which I have never used. The valve at the manifold is closed. Both skimmer valves open, labeled near and far. when I listen by the near skimmer I hear a strange noise that I have never heard, like a low hum of sorts. Far skimmer nothing. Both skimmers sucking with what i think is full suction. All supply jets pumping, the near one sometimes shoots air bubbles due to air getting in somehow.
I lubed every gasket and ring. No leaks anywhere. Just for the heck of it, I opened up the vacuum valve and guess what. All the air bubbles in pump basket gone. Pressure went up a few lbs. to around 14, usually at 10 or so. Skimmers pulling good, supplies all pumping great, even seems like it is pushing more water then originally. I am at a giant loss. I do get the fact that now I am drawing more water back to the pump, but...
The original pump had no tags left on it. It was a Heyward Super Pump. With my 24K gallon pool, 1.5 inch piping I could have used a 3/4 HP or 1HP. I went with the 1HP. I installed this pump/motor combo at the beginning of this season. Has been running flawlessly until last week. Then air in the basket.
What the heck could cause this. Something stuck maybe in the pump and now drawing more water cleared it up? Can I leave it now the way it is drawing back from the 2 skimmers and the vacuum line. Can I damage anything? Any drawbacks?
Thanks all!!
Brian