MaxFlo VSP eventual air in returns

[chrisexv6]

Just started with my new MaxFlo VSP pump (SP2302). I *thought* everything was OK, but today woke up to air coming out of the returns.

When I stop and start the pump, at 3000 RPM there is no air in the pump basket or the returns. After prime cycle it will kick down to whatever V-speed is programmed (in this case, 1500 RPM). After 5-10 minutes at that speed I can start to see tiny air bubbles flying around in the pump basket. Eventually Ill have air in the top 1" or so of the basket and air coming out of the returns.

It doesnt seem to drop any lower than that (or at least I hope not, since this happened while I was sleeping), and the pump stays running OK....I just get air bubbles out of the returns, not too different from what I see with the SWG running.

I checked all unions, o-rings, etc and they look OK. I dont SEE any water leakage but I will test more with food coloring later. Just a note: when I opened the basket to clean it out I noticed kinda like a foam on top of the water....not chemicals, but accumulation of all the tiny bubbles, if that means anything. I can also peer inside while its running and see the tiny bubbles "sticking" to the basket, pump case, etc.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

-Chris

 

[mknauss]

VS pumps,at low speeds, can accumulate air in the pump basket area. But 1500 rpm is not that low.

When you shut the system down does the water drain from the pump basket?

The typical item is the gasket on the pump lid. Be sure it is clean and lubed with Magic Lube.

Did the installer use pump unions? They have an o-ring seal at the pump body face.

Any valves on the suction side?

Others may have some additional ideas.

 

[chrisexv6]

VS pumps,at low speeds, can accumulate air in the pump basket area. But 1500 rpm is not that low.

When you shut the system down does the water drain from the pump basket?

The typical item is the gasket on the pump lid. Be sure it is clean and lubed with Magic Lube.

Did the installer use pump unions? They have an o-ring seal at the pump body face.

Any valves on the suction side?

Others may have some additional ideas.

Never checked when shutting down, will do that soon.

O-rings are clean, but not lubed (they were brand new but I dont have the recommended Jacks lube....will run out and get a tube)

Installer (me!) used the included unions. The o-rings are installed, but I didnt lube them because I wasnt sure if I should....they are more of a flat top t-shape so I wasnt sure if its appropriate (not round to fit in a channel like Im used to)

One NevrLube 3 way valve on suction side. Case is tight, I dont see water coming out of it when toggling the pump on/off (same goes for drain plugs and cover on pump).

Reading the manual closer, Hayward recommends teflon tape on the unions and hand tight + 1-1/2 turns. But reading the actual union it says hand tighten only. I added the teflon tape but it didnt help (wasnt really expecting it to....I figure the t-ring is there to keep it airtight).

 

[mknauss]

With a suction side air leak, you rarely see water coming out of the leak. It only presents itself when the pump is running and there is a suction on the equipment, thus pulling air in.

Another trick is to use plastic wrap (Saran Wrap) around unions, fittings, valves, to see if it solves it. Then you know which part is the issue.

 

[chrisexv6]

With a suction side air leak, you rarely see water coming out of the leak. It only presents itself when the pump is running and there is a suction on the equipment, thus pulling air in.

Another trick is to use plastic wrap (Saran Wrap) around unions, fittings, valves, to see if it solves it. Then you know which part is the issue.

Pump doesnt lose water when shut off (at least for the 15 minutes I left it off)

Dug up some silicone grease and did the pump lid o-ring and the "t-ring" between the union and the pump

Put some food coloring on the glued joint between union and PVC, didnt notice anything getting sucked in.

Starting to worry it might be a plumbing issue underground. Pump runs fine without air at V2 (which is 2400RPM), even the pump basket gets no air in it, but with V1 (1500 RPM) eventually Ill get air. Currently timing how long it takes for that to happen.