Pump issue

[Ryanrobert]

Hello all,

I am having an issue with my pump. It wont completely pressurize. The flow coming from the intake looks decent but it fluctuates. The multiport hisses air right after turning pump off. My question is, is it more than likely an underground leak? Or could the multiport not be functioning properly?

TIA

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Check the skimmer while the pump is running. Are you seeing a strong vortex, like a toilet flushing?

Check the weir (skimmer flap) door at the mouth of the skimmer. Make sure it's not stuck in the closed position

Make sure water level is halfway up the skimmer mouth.

 

[Ryanrobert]

Ya the water level is high. I don't see a vortex... the suction feels normal as well

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Failure to prime with air in the basket indicates a suction side leak. You may have another issue with the hissing MPV, but that's on the pressure side. Pressure side leaks will usually leak water with the pump running. When the pump is off, water will drain back to the pool and when the pump restarts, you'll hear the sound of air purging from the system. Make sure there is not water coming out of the waste line with the pump running.

For the suction side, other common causes include the pump lid seal/o-ring. Make sure it's clean and has lubed with silicone-based pool lube. Make sure the drain plugs are hand tight. Do you have valves before the pump? If so, try pulling water from different sources. Pull out the pump basket and check for obstructions at the impellor. Pull out the skimmer basket and check for obstructions in the suction line going to the pump.

You can try to track down the suction side leak by using a hose to run water over all joints, valves, the pump lid, and drain plugs. When the water finds the leak, the air bubbles should stop or decrease.

I don't know much about MPVs and whether it could be the cause of your problem. Maybe @Jimrahbe can comment.

 

[Ryanrobert]

Thanks for the information, much appreciated.

It seems like it's on the suction side and probably underground, that being said, does anyone have tips on running a temporary line into the pool? Is there some kind is setup I can use that will sort of act like a skimmer and keep kids hands from getting too close to the suction line?

 

[Ryanrobert]

Hello

Can anyone give me some ideas for a temporary suction line for a pool that has an underground leak?

Looking for something that acts as a skimmer and can protect against kids hands from getting near the suction

TIA

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Although an underground leak is possible, they are rare. I recommend completing your signature and posting some photos of the equipment pad. Hopefully we'll get some more eyes on your thread, along with some help.

 

[reggiehammond]

You can try to track down the suction side leak by using a hose to run water over all joints, valves, the pump lid, and drain plugs. When the water finds the leak, the air bubbles should stop or decrease.

THIS is the first thing I'd do. It helped me find a couple of tiny leaks I'd have never found with it.

 

[ajw22]

Hello

Can anyone give me some ideas for a temporary suction line for a pool that has an underground leak?

Looking for something that acts as a skimmer and can protect against kids hands from getting near the suction

TIA

The first part is easy. The second is not.

See this long thread for the way a temporary suction line was run above ground from the pool to the pump...

Reviving out of service pool: FG & deck Refresh

I can't wait to see what it looks like in the morning with you staying so on top of it now!

www.troublefreepool.com

I am not sure there is a head you can put on an above ground suction pipe in the pool that will make it safe for kids to swim around and is not an entrapment hazard.

@1poolman1 @Poolbreh @AQUA~HOLICS ideas?

 

[1poolman1]

Aladdin No-Niche skimmer

 

[Poolbreh]

I think ryan has another post open. Ryan are you sure you don’t want to try and fix your suction side leak? I would get a heavy duty plumbers bladder stick it in the skimmer with all your valves open and pump off , it will pressurize the intake and if it’s not under concrete will sometimes expose underground leaks.
Any above ground plumbing should probably be only temporary. If your skimmer has a main drain port you could tie directly there, but only if you have anti entrapment drains.

 

[ajw22]

Aladdin No-Niche skimmer

Interesting...

Aladdin No-Niche Pool Skimmer, White - 750 - INYOPools.com

750 - SKIMMER, NO. NICHE (750)

www.inyopools.com