Low Pressure

[jwcod]

All of a sudden my filter pressure is low (5 psi) and no water coming out of return jets.

 

[Texas Splash]

Normally, low pressure out of the jets is indicative of algae or excessive organics before a bloom. What is your water chemistry like?

But then there's the low psi, so a couple additional thoughts.
1 - Defective pressure gauge. Does it move at all? Does it go to zero when off?
2 - The 3-way valve in front of the pump, is it adjusted properly? If it's automated for spa and pool, check to ensure it's moving correctly.

 

[jwcod]

Water chemistry is ok, pressure gauge is ok, and three-way valve seems to be working properly. Filter pressure in spa mode seems normal and jets seem to work. Pressure in pool mode is below 10 psi and no flow out of return jets. Pump doesn't seem to prime in pool mode and pool pump doesn't change speeds. It just hums.

 

[Texas Splash]

It just hums.

That sounds like a bad capacitor.

Pump doesn't seem to prime in pool mode

So are you saying there is no water movement at all now?

 

[jwcod]

Very (barely detectable) water flow from return jets in pool mode.

 

[mknauss]

Is this pool covered?

 

[mas985]

All of a sudden my filter pressure is low (5 psi) and no water coming out of return jets.

Low filter pressure is generally a problem with a suction side clog. Have you checked the pump basket and impeller inlet for debris.

 

[jwcod]

There's no pool cover and pump basket and impeller are clear. I had to increase my pump speed from 1500 to 2000 to get some flow from my return jets and to boost the psi to 10. Even after doing that, the spillway flow was far less than when the pump speed was 1500.

 

[Texas Splash]

Okay, so you have "some" water flow then. As Mark noted, perhaps you have a partial clog on the pool's suction line. Have you considered taking a garden hose and pushing water backwards from the pump to the pool skimmer? If you have a pool drain, any change going from skimmer to drain?

 

[jwcod]

I have tried running water from pump back to skimmer. Sorry to be dense, but what do you mean ...any change going from skimmer to drain?

 

[Newdude]

Sorry to be dense

Please ask anytime.

but what do you mean ...any change going from skimmer to drain?

By turning the red circle valve, I bypass the blue circle legs to the skimmers. If it was an issue with the skimmer line(s), it would work fine with only the drain line open. (Adapt the concept to your rig)

 

[mas985]

Is that the normal position for the valve identified by the black arrow?

Also, if the check valve identified by the red arrow failed, it could be blocking the pipe. You might try opening the other valve and see if anything changes.

When in spa mode, is everything normal?

 

[jwcod]

In pool mode, sweep (black arrow) is closed and skimmer (red arrow) is open. When I vacuum, I open the sweep and close the skimmer. There is no check valve at the red arrow. In the picture, the check valve is on the same line as the inline chlorinator behind and just to the left of the three-way valve. Things seem to be normal in spa mode. Thanks for your help and sticking with me on this.

 

[wireform]

Be aware those plastic valves go bad and for all you know turning the handle isn't changing anything.

 

[jwcod]

Sorry, in my previous post I mean Jandy valve, not three-way valve.

 

[mas985]

Things seem to be normal in spa mode.

That confirms to me that there is a clog in the skimmer suction line.

 

[jwcod]

Thanks for your help in diagnosing this. Any suggestions for how to try to clear/remove the clog?

 

[oldprophet]

Thanks for your help in diagnosing this. Any suggestions for how to try to clear/remove the clog?

Try a drain jet.Home Depot has them. Cost around $15

 

[mas985]

Thanks for your help in diagnosing this. Any suggestions for how to try to clear/remove the clog?

Open the pump lid, wrap a wet rag around a hose and place into the pipe inlet at the top of the pump basket, turn on hose, and try to create a tight seal between the hose, rag and inlet pipe. The idea is force water backwards through that pipe and out into the skimmer.

BTW, you said that valve with red arrow is not a check valve but I am assuming it is a standard valve. Is that set to be fully open? When you move it, does it move freely?

 

[jwcod]

Thanks again for your help. The skimmer valve (red arrow) is a standard manual valve (like the sweep valve with blue handle). It is in the open position in the picture and seems to turn freely.