Bubbles out of jets, but no air in pump basket?

RecordOne

New member
Jun 19, 2022
4
Fort Worth Texas
Pool Size
16000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
I’m getting bubbles coming out of my return jets, but I’m not seeing any air in the pump baskets (other than maybe on bubble just hanging out). I also see a lot of air through the window on a pressure-side valve. (See pictures below)

How is air getting into my system? It can’t be on the pressure side, but there’s no air in the pump basket. Can air be getting sucked into the pump somewhere else? There seems to be too many bubbles to be getting through the basket without me seeing them. Even when I slow the pump speed down I don’t see air in the basket, but the bubble still come out the jets.

Any thoughts? :)


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PoolStored

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TFP Guide
Jun 24, 2021
3,441
Ashtabula, OH
Pool Size
30000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-60
Hey!! Welcome to TFP!! :swim:

Air is going to be suction side. You will get leaks (water) on the pressure side.

Could be shaft seal or volute seal, but if that is true, typically hard to prime also. Has the pump been turned off recently? Does the pump make noise?

Can you post some pictures that include all the equipment or several pics so we get the full picture.
 

RecordOne

New member
Jun 19, 2022
4
Fort Worth Texas
Pool Size
16000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hey!! Welcome to TFP!! :swim:

Air is going to be suction side. You will get leaks (water) on the pressure side.

Could be shaft seal or volute seal, but if that is true, typically hard to prime also. Has the pump been turned off recently? Does the pump make noise?

Can you post some pictures that include all the equipment or several pics so we get the full picture.
Thanks for the quick reply! Yes it is having a hard time priming when the pump first turns on, but it doesn’t lose prime once it gets going.

It funny you mention the pump making a noise. I actually have noticed it sounding a little different than normal. Hard to describe, but just sounds a little off.

Is the shaft seal or volute seal something I’d be able to replace?

Thanks again!
 

PoolStored

Gold Supporter
TFP Guide
Jun 24, 2021
3,441
Ashtabula, OH
Pool Size
30000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-60
Thanks for the quick reply! Yes it is having a hard time priming when the pump first turns on, but it doesn’t lose prime once it gets going.

It funny you mention the pump making a noise. I actually have noticed it sounding a little different than normal. Hard to describe, but just sounds a little off.

Is the shaft seal or volute seal something I’d be able to replace?

Thanks again!
Yes it is easy. What is the make and model of the pump?
 

PoolStored

Gold Supporter
TFP Guide
Jun 24, 2021
3,441
Ashtabula, OH
Pool Size
30000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-60
It’s a Pentair intelliflo VSF (356903.A)
Search google for "Pentair intelliflo VSF go kit." This is a kit that includes all the o-rings and seals you need, including the shaft seal. The kit is cheaper than putting the kit together yourself.


It will include the shaft seal, but there are different levels of quality:
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1669394476015.png

The go kits typically include the ps-1000, they are servicable, but I've had problems with both the basic service and premier. If you can afford, it, buy the PS-1905 in addition to the one that comes in the go-kit and keep the go-kit shaft seal as a spare. It is pricey, but they last longer.

Here is a good place to get them and good price -->
Finally, here are the instructions, straight from Pentair on how to replace the shaft seal. Go!
 
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