Are these bubbles "normal" or at least acceptable?
- Thread starter tmking86
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,333
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
It's ok. You are sucking in a bit of air but everything is not perfect. If it does not grow into a big air bubble in the pump then you are ok.
Kjingram821
Active member
Are you saying the pump basket should be 100% air free when running? Is there a certain amount of time this should take? I think mine will eventually get all of the air out, but it seems when it first starts there's some residual air pockets up in the lid area for a while. Not sure how long after running these go away, or should go away? Not small bubbles like in the OP, though, more like a couple trapped air pockets in the domed lid.
Small amount of bubbles is likely from a gasket that is a little dirty. You can take the top off, of course with it off, clean the gasket around the lip and add a small amount of food grade silicone grease on the gasket and your bubbles will be gone. Of course as Ling as your not getting air somewhere else. But most likely that’s the issue.
Kjingram821
Active member
Interesting. Every pool I've seen has a small amount of air trapped in the lid for a period of time after startup. This is a new pump and I cleaned/lubed the gasket with Magic Lube.
Since this is a new pump, I don’t think it’s due to a dirty gasket. We will give the grease a try. Thank you!
You would be surprised how a little small piece of anything can allow a little air to come through. It’s not the end of the world though if a little air is in it. As long as the pump gets the water it needs.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,929
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You can get a water hose and run it over your plumbing and if the bubbles stop you found the air leak. If not it shouldn't hurt anything if it's priming good.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,929
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I battled a small air leak for a year.. Seemed to be coming from a glued coupler but nothing helped..Finally everything apart and the new valve had a high spot near the O-Ring..Filed it down and issue went away..
