Pump housing only filling half way

[Homeowner]

New Forum member here......Have a Heyward 3000 series super pump (motor is about 1 year old and Pump housing was replaced 2 years ago). Pool itself is 15 years old.

Recently, the pump housing is only filling half-way with water, but the skimmer is operating. Seems have I have strong stream of supply water coming into the housing that I can see through the clear lid.

I replaced the impeller, no help. Replaced the housing lid and o-Ring, no help. Here's the kicker (I think). Housing only fills half way with water while running, but when I shut it off, the water
level goes all the way to the top (at least 95% full). There seems to be an air bubble at the top.

Need to know what could possible cause this. It's strange to me that the housing fills up when I turn the pump off but only is half-way while running.

Thanks

 

[kimkats]

Hi and welcome to TFP!

I have one question for you-did you lube the o-ring?

 

[Homeowner]

Hi and welcome to TFP!

I have one question for you-did you lube the o-ring?

Yes I did.

 

[kimkats]

Well done BUT darn! I was hoping you would say no and that would be the reason. You have an air leak some where and we have to find it.

Suction Side Air Leaks

If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more

www.troublefreepool.com

Me? I would take everything apart and put it back together looking real close at everything to make sure there is no crimping or such.

 

[Homeowner]

Well done BUT darn! I was hoping you would say no and that would be the reason. You have an air leak some where and we have to find it.

Suction Side Air Leaks

If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more

www.troublefreepool.com

Me? I would take everything apart and put it back together looking real close at everything to make sure there is no crimping or such.

Crimping?

 

[kimkats]

There should be a flat spacer/gasket inside the union that joins the pipes to the pump housing. That can get crimped in that it does not lay down flat for some reason.

 

[Homeowner]

Ok...continued troubleshooting. Based on research (i.e. Google), the pump basket fills up with water when the pump is turned off due to Backpressure in the filter (I have a Heyward sand filter with a multiport valve). According to the YouTube experts, I need to the bleed the air from the filter.....BUT, this is not possible on a multiport valve with no air release valve. So, I'm back to square one.

BTW, I covered every above ground PVC joint and the lid (replaced O ring again and used silicone on O ring) with shaving cream and I'm not seeing anything. I'm afraid this could be underground. The skimmer was replaced about 3 years ago, I'm wondering if the plumbing under the ground somehow developed an air leak.

 

[kimkats]

You did a great job with the testing all around the equipment and shaving cream.

I am going to ping a couple of others that might have some ideas. @1poolman1 @ajw22 any thoughts?

 

[1poolman1]

New Forum member here......Have a Heyward 3000 series super pump (motor is about 1 year old and Pump housing was replaced 2 years ago). Pool itself is 15 years old.

Recently, the pump housing is only filling half-way with water, but the skimmer is operating. Seems have I have strong stream of supply water coming into the housing that I can see through the clear lid.

I replaced the impeller, no help. Replaced the housing lid and o-Ring, no help. Here's the kicker (I think). Housing only fills half way with water while running, but when I shut it off, the water
level goes all the way to the top (at least 95% full). There seems to be an air bubble at the top.

Need to know what could possible cause this. It's strange to me that the housing fills up when I turn the pump off but only is half-way while running.

Thanks

Do you see air returning to the pool? What is the pressure on the filter? Removing air from a filter with a bleed valve is usually only needed when opening the filter. Water filling the pot after the pump is off is usually from it falling back from the filter.
Is your equipment below pool level? Pictures would help.

 

[Homeowner]

Do you see air returning to the pool? What is the pressure on the filter? Removing air from a filter with a bleed valve is usually only needed when opening the filter. Water filling the pot after the pump is off is usually from it falling back from the filter.
Is your equipment below pool level? Pictures would help.

This is an inground pool, so equipment is above pool level. New pressure gauge installed today, didn't think the old one was working. New pressure gauge indicates just about 1 PSI. No pressure. This is getting ridiculous.
I see some bubbles in the pool, but not very much. Now one of my three return lines has stopped working (a few bubbles but no water flow). I know this is all related to one thing, I just have to find it.

Question: Since the pump fills up quickly when it is turned off (water from filter), could an air leak be on the filter side (O-Ring, Multiport valve clamp, etc)? Could air in the filter stop the pump from filling due to constant backpressure or air blockage? Just a thought I had. If so, I'll change the O Ring and valve clamp, just in case.

 

[1poolman1]

This is an inground pool, so equipment is above pool level. New pressure gauge installed today, didn't think the old one was working. New pressure gauge indicates just about 1 PSI. No pressure. This is getting ridiculous.
I see some bubbles in the pool, but not very much. Now one of my three return lines has stopped working (a few bubbles but no water flow). I know this is all related to one thing, I just have to find it.

Question: Since the pump fills up quickly when it is turned off (water from filter), could an air leak be on the filter side (O-Ring, Multiport valve clamp, etc)? Could air in the filter stop the pump from filling due to constant backpressure or air blockage? Just a thought I had. If so, I'll change the O Ring and valve clamp, just in case.

Air in the filter is forced out when the pump is running, there is no "vapor lock." Check that the MPV is actually in the correct position, that the stem is not broken.