Diagnose Pump Leak

[barkley94]

Pool pump turns on and runs. Once I turn off the system i lose pressure and water drains back into pool from hot tub. I've had a small puddle around the pump, but i can't tell where its com8ng from. No drips, if i feel around the pump nothing is wet. Drain valves all dry.

Is there anything I can check in the pump to verify how the pump might be failing? Short of taking pump into store for full diagnostic?

 

[reggiehammond]

Any air bubbles in pump pot? Very common and easily fixed - typically just the lid gasket having a tear, drain plug or gasket not in perfect position, gaskets need lube, etc.

Do you have a check valve before the pump? If you've got a leak, you'd lose prime.

 

[Texas Splash]

Water moving around after the system is turned off is a sign that there is an air break (leak) somewhere. Air is getting IN to the system once turned off like a vacuum. So inspect everything above the ground that may be an opportunity for air to seep IN to the plumbing system. Is your spa water lev3el above the pool waterline? If so, you might check around the actuator valve that separate water flow between the pool and spa. Make sure it's moving/closing properly and/or that there is no evidence of a leak.

As for the small puddle around the pump, if you don't see anything leaking externally, then it may be a shaft seal leak. Shaft seals can be a DIY project, or some might have a tech do t for them. If the pump is still under warranty then that would help.

 

[Jimrahbe]

94,

The number one reason for a spa to drain back into the pool with the pump off is a bad, or dirty, check valve in the Spa Jets/return line.

Is this just a spa issue, or does the water in the pump basket drain back into the pool?

Show us some pics of your equipment pad..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[barkley94]

Any air bubbles in pump pot? Very common and easily fixed - typically just the lid gasket having a tear, drain plug or gasket not in perfect position, gaskets need lube, etc.

Do you have a check valve before the pump? If you've got a leak, you'd lose prime.

There are bubbles in the pump pot. I've double checked the lid seal, and also the drain plugs. Lubed them all last time I checked them. No detectable leaks. My concern is the leak is structurally in the pump. I went out and dried the pad with a towel. Noticed that the pump housing seems to be wet, but no visible drip. Just doesn't leak that much water overall.

 

[barkley94]

94,

The number one reason for a spa to drain back into the pool with the pump off is a bad, or dirty, check valve in the Spa Jets/return line.

Is this just a spa issue, or does the water in the pump basket drain back into the pool?

Show us some pics of your equipment pad..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Water in the line drains back to pool via the pump. I have a check valve on the spa, but I have replaced that and do not believe that's the issue.

 

[barkley94]

Water moving around after the system is turned off is a sign that there is an air break (leak) somewhere. Air is getting IN to the system once turned off like a vacuum. So inspect everything above the ground that may be an opportunity for air to seep IN to the plumbing system. Is your spa water lev3el above the pool waterline? If so, you might check around the actuator valve that separate water flow between the pool and spa. Make sure it's moving/closing properly and/or that there is no evidence of a leak.

As for the small puddle around the pump, if you don't see anything leaking externally, then it may be a shaft seal leak. Shaft seals can be a DIY project, or some might have a tech do t for them. If the pump is still under warranty then that would help.

The spa waterline is above the pool waterline. Takes all night after the pump stops to lose about 2-3 inches of water in the spa. If I keep it off it will continue to drain very slowly. If I keep it off for days it might be interesting to see just how far it would go but most likely would continue to go down.

 

[Jimrahbe]

94,

I really doubt that the pump is causing the problem.

The key test is to see where the water in the spa stops draining down. If it stops just below the jets it can't be anything but the check valve, even if new.

If it drops well below the jets, then it is most likely not the check valve. I'd be looking at a leaking Intake valve.

This assume the spillover is run through the jet lines and that you do not have a separate spillover fill line.

Pics of your equipment pad would help.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[barkley94]

94,

I really doubt that the pump is causing the problem.

The key test is to see where the water in the spa stops draining down. If it stops just below the jets it can't be anything but the check valve, even if new.

If it drops well below the jets, then it is most likely not the check valve. I'd be looking at a leaking Intake valve.

This assume the spillover is run through the jet lines and that you do not have a separate spillover fill line.

Pics of your equipment pad would help.

Thanks,

Jim R.

So I think I know the possible culprit. I ran a simple test and changed the pump from running pool to running spa mode. When the actuator switched i noticed the amount of air that went into the pump was way more so it appears the valve right before the pump might be the issue. I guess next step is open that valve and see if its damaged.

 

[Jimrahbe]

94,

The valve that is right in front of the pump, that selects if water comes from the Pool or from the Spa, is your "Intake valve"

If it is leaking it may not look damaged..

Jim R.