Air leak?

[MJuric]

Today I went out to the pool and turn the pump on and it wouldn't prime. I filled the reservoir up and it started pumping. However the top of the pump reservoir was showing that I was constantly pulling in more and more air and it never went completely "Airless" like it usually does. I work the air out of the system by turning it on off and it seemed to work fine with no air coming out of the jets but air was still being pulled in as the reservoir never showed clear/full of water. I decided to let it run a while to see if it would work out the air and it never did. When I turned it off the reservoir drained and filled entirely with air as if I had pulled the lid off.

I can only assume I have an air leak somewhere and I would guess it is pre pump or in the pump itself. Nothing was completely obvious but I would guess the likely culprits are...

1) Seal on the lid at the top of the reservoir, seemed like an obvious thing so I opened the lid, cleaned it wiped and didn't see anything obvious but did not replace the seal.
2) in the pipes from the pool to the pump, again I did not see anything above ground and I would not think it would be able to pull too much air from a buried pipe and or some level of debri would be being pulled in.
3) Some seal between the reservoir and motor.
4) Crack or broken reservoir, leaky plug etc...again didn't see anything obvious.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[AftonJeeper]

Is your water half way up on the skimmer? Is the skimmer basket is empty?

More on suction side leaks here: Pool School - Suction Side Air Leaks

 

[Teald024]

Try putting some lube on the pump lid oring. It's easy and most likely place for a leak.

 

[MJuric]

Is your water half way up on the skimmer? Is the skimmer basket is empty?

This is happening with the skimmer side valve shut off.

- - - Updated - - -

Try putting some lube on the pump lid oring. It's easy and most likely place for a leak.

I'm going to order a new lid seal and a shaft seal. Both are cheap and if one doesn't work I'll try the other.

Matt

 

[AftonJeeper]

This is happening with the skimmer side valve shut off.

The pump may not be able to get enough water pulling just from the main drain and causing the air leak you are describing. Is the skimmer closed because of a leak?