Bought the house last year, and right away had a flow problem. I have a sta rite dura glass 2 system, single speed. Its a smaller inground pool that only has one 1 1/2 inch pipe coming in, and one going back to the pool, no shut off or diverter valves. I had replaced the cartridge filter, pump lid and seal, and it made a difference for a couple months but now I barely get anything. I took off the diverter, and the copper ring is pretty corroded, but I dont know if that would cause my problem. While the diverter was off, I sanded down the ring, and lubed it up, then put it back on. Before I put the housing back together, I hit the power and could see the blades going around without problem. The filter housing is not leaking, but one time I cleaned the filter, and put tube o lube on the filter o ring, and it was awesome for about 1 minute, then lost prime. I tried to replicate that but it never got good again. The filter basket is brittle, but I dont think that could effect anything. I put plastic wrap around all fittings, and joints to try to stop any possible air leaks, but nothing made a difference. When the pump runs, a small flow comes into the pump, and if I turn the air release on the filter, it will dispel all air, then water comes out, but even with no air in the filter, the pump basket is only half full, and surging between prime and no prime.
Another flow problem
- Thread starter whosurpopi
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,077
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
Post pictures of your equipment pad and pool.
What is the water level of your skimmers? Is the water level 1/2 to 2/3 up the skimmer mouth?
How many skimmers do you have? You have a Main Drain?
You check and lube the pump lid O-ring and the pump drain plug O-Rings?
Post pictures of your equipment pad and pool.
What is the water level of your skimmers? Is the water level 1/2 to 2/3 up the skimmer mouth?
How many skimmers do you have? You have a Main Drain?
You check and lube the pump lid O-ring and the pump drain plug O-Rings?
Sounds like a clog somewhere, possibly the impeller. The diffuser ring is there to prevent wear to the diffuser and a little corrosion doesn't hurt. It also needs no lube as there is nothing that is in contact with it except any debris that is in the water. I've seen those pumps work with that ring completely gone.
Another area that may be clogged is the skimmer line. A Drain King can be be used at the pump forcing water back to the pool to see if that is where a clog is located.
Are there any cracks in the pump-lid O ring? That will/can cause the problem. Last year my neighbor replaced his booster pump and cut open his plumbing trying to DIY the same issue. The booster pump can only boost what it receives and that was nothing so he figured it was bad, he now has a spare. One look at that lid O ring, go to my truck, get a new one, lube and install and problem solved, except I then had to do a replumb of his system.
If you have a cartridge filter, remove one or more of the cartridges, reassemble and try running the system. Does it work? New cartridge time, they only last "so" long. A pump can't prime unless there is somewhere for the water to go fast enough to clear the air that is in the line and pump.
The issue very likely is that gasket between the pump pot and the tank, the orange/red line seen in the picture. You have a Dura-Glas (two-piece pot/tank) not a Dura-Glas 2 (single-piece).
The best one you can get is one like this from Amazon, but I have actually made them from the cardboard of a cereal box with a light coating of silicone sealant, the originals were just a thin cardboard.
https://www.amazon.com/APC-APCG3432-Gasket-Rubber-Skinny/dp/B007XXO8PA
So, I tried to take it apart at the red gasket and one of the bolts broke off level with the pump. I got it apart but cannot get the bolt extracted, so I am probably going to buy another pump. Turns out, the disconnect fitting had a partial gasket in there that did not belong in there, so I probably ruined this pump for nothing.