Air in pump when below 3100 rpm

[Metalman23]

Whenever I run my pump at full speed, there's no air in it, but when I reduce the speed to 2100 rpms or 1300, a lot of air gets in, it probably takes a day or two.

Then if I run it at full speed again, the air will get worked out in a matter of minutes, is this a suction side air leak?

I sealed the union in front of the pump with silicone, it's still happening, I checked the strainer lid gasket, but nothing seems to be fixing it

 

[ajw22]

I think all VS pumps do that to some extent at lower speeds. As long as your pump does not lose prime then it is ok.

 

[Metalman23]

I think all VS pumps do that to some extent at lower speeds. As long as your pump does not lose prime then it is ok.

Interesting, I didn't know that.

 

[Metalman23]

Ok this morning the water level in the pump strainer was down about 2" or more, barely covering the strainer basket, I don't imagine that's supposed to be that way

 

[zea3]

No, it shouldn't get that low. Have you put silicone pool lube on the pump lid o-ring? Make sure the pump pot drain plug is snug. This video shows other ways to check for a suction side leak.

 

[Metalman23]

I put a new oring in, lubed it up, I think I can safely say that all of this isn't leaking air

 

[Metalman23]

I checked the drain plugs, they're tight, I put a new oring in, put lube on it, I put so much silicone on all the fittings on the suction side there's no way they leak, it's driving me crazy

 

[zea3]

How high is the water level in the pool? Is it between 1/2 and 3/4 the way up the skimmer opening?

 

[duraleigh]

Then if I run it at full speed again, the air will get worked out in a matter of minutes, is this a suction side air leak?

No. It is a perfectly normal characteristic of a VS pump and is of no harm to your pump or pool.

 

[Metalman23]

What I don't understand is do people who have VS pumps and run them at low speeds 24/7 have this issue?

Now, when I turn the pump on it does its priming cycle, which is about 2700rpm for 3 minutes, before going back down to 2100rpm, but the strainer basket never fills up with water there's a lot of air in it,

No. It is a perfectly normal characteristic of a VS pump and is of no harm to your pump or pool.

 

[Metalman23]

How high is the water level in the pool? Is it between 1/2 and 3/4 the way up the skimmer opening?

The water is a little low right now, I caNt run it at full speed or it'll suck air, but I'm trying to run it at 2100

 

[zea3]

If your pool water is low it will also suck in air at the skimmer, which collects in the pump. Top off the pool and see if the problem corrects itself.

 

[duraleigh]

I caNt run it at full speed or it'll suck air, but I'm trying to run it at 2100

Now that sounds like a suction side leak. YOu should be able to run your pump at full rpm and not suck any air. Where is it sucking it from?

What I don't understand is do people who have VS pumps and run them at low speeds 24/7 have this issue?

Well, I doubt very few people run a VS on low 24/7 but, yes, If you ran on a low VS speed 24/7, the you would always have air in the pump basket.

 

[Metalman23]

Now that sounds like a suction side leak. YOu should be able to run your pump at full rpm and not suck any air. Where is it sucking it from?
Well, I doubt very few people run a VS on low 24/7 but, yes, If you ran on a low VS speed 24/7, the you would always have air in the pump basket.

Interesting,

What I mean when I say it sucks air, I vacummed to waste a couple days ago, the water level dropped a lot, when I try to run it full speed it sucks air from the skimmer, I'm refilling it, now, once it's at the proper level that won't be a problem anymore

 

[duraleigh]

Yeak, so as zea is saying, your water can't be so low in the skimmer that it sucks air in there. Unrelated issue to your VS issue.