booster bump noise + cleaner stop working

[leohan]

When the booster pump is activated, it produces unusual noise, and the cleaner stops functioning entirely (it does not move at all).Additionally, I observed that when the main pump is first turned on, one of the pool return outlets emits large bubbles for a few minutes before returning to normal.Here are the steps I took for the initial investigation:

1. Cleaned the O-ring on the main pump lid.
2. Checked for any obvious air leaks at the pipe connections to the pump and valves using dish soap bubbles.
3. Cleaned the skimmer basket.

Given these symptoms, does it seems the booster pump might be malfunctioning? Or is this caused by leak anywhere in the system?

Video link (booster pump noise, water bubble from the outlet)

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Sounds like your booster pump's bearings are worn out. You can have the pump repaired or replaced.

 

[leohan]

Thank you! I also think my booster pump bearing is the root cause.

One more thing to add: even when booster pump is one, pretty much no water at all at the return to the cleaner.

In addition, based on my google results, google says another possibility is that the impeller is clogged. Is it possible?

 

[DrewLG]

another possibility is that the impeller is clogged. Is it possible?

The booster pump is after the filter, so its impeller can't become clogged (except in very unusual situations: filter not working, equipment or plumbing disintegrating, etc). If the filter pump is pushing water through the regular pool returns, its impeller is also not clogged.

Bearings generally take a while to fail -- a booster pump can be really noisy for a really long time before it actually stops working (mine screeched for a couple of years and was still pumping just fine when I replaced it with an electric robot). So if your pump's noise and failure happened suddenly, you may want to look for another possibility, like maybe a valve that's accidentally been left closed.