Pump leak

[NewPoolGirlTX]

I wasn't sure if I should start new threads
On recirculate, the pressure is almost as high as on filter! Did I muck up my multiport?

And yes, buckets of sweat, some blood, and some not very nice words have happened.
No algae that I can see, thank goodness

Pump dripping about a drop every 5 seconds

Thank you

 

[Texas Splash]

On recirculate, the pressure is almost as high as on filter!

That is odd. If the pressure doesn't go down on recirculate, that would imply there is very little restriction in the filter. When you say the filter is running high, what PSI are you talking about? Do all the MPV settings work correctly?

 

[NewPoolGirlTX]

Pressure dropped maybe one or two. It normally runs about 24. It's running 31-32. 30 on recirculate.

I'm not sure how to test all the settings. The backwash and rinse seemed normal

It does go to zero when off

 

[Texas Splash]

How many days was your pool off while you worked on everything?

 

[NewPoolGirlTX]

That is odd. If the pressure doesn't go down on recirculate, that would imply there is very little restriction in the filter. When you say the filter is running high, what PSI are you talking about? Do all the MPV settings work correctly?

Is it safe to run on filter or recirculate at that pressure? I have to quit for today.

 

[NewPoolGirlTX]

How many days was your pool off while you worked on everything?

Friday to now
I did add some chlorine and brushed once

 

[Texas Splash]

I would leave it on recirculate for now. You don't have any valves after the filter partially closed by chance?

 

[Flying Tivo]

Do you have a heater bypass? Try checking pressure without the heater in recirculation and let us know.

 

[NewPoolGirlTX]

Do you have a heater bypass? Try checking pressure without the heater in recirculation and let us know.

I'm going to turn it off while I go to an appointment and check my valves when I get home.

The heater hasn't worked in years. I don't know how to do much with it or the valves there.

 

[Texas Splash]

@NewPoolGirlTX , I combined your pump leak, seal plate, and today's thread all into the original pump leak thread here. This way everything remains together. I did leave the Spider Gasket (which way is up) one alone by itself though. Later today we'll see what we can do to help once everyone gets back ad has time to review the feed updates.

 

[Flying Tivo]

The heater hasn't worked in years. I don't know how to do much with it or the valves there.

Post some pictures of your equipment pad with the valves, especially the heater to see if we can bypass it.

 

[NewPoolGirlTX]

@Texas Splash you are brilliant! It was a valve. Pressure is back to normal!

Is there a way to tell if the pump leak is from the seal plate or the seal inside?
It is coming from the bottom where the seal plate is connected to the pump housing. (You can see how tight the main pump is sandwiched between the filter and waterfall pump. It's awful trying to work in there)

Pics of my crazy plumbing below. I know what some of it is and does but even a pool guy who came to educate me didn't get why some of it was done

I know the pumps and in and out of filter but the left side is confusing. And I don't know how the valves work, like how to set them for skimmers or floor drains or both. And obviously I don't use the auto chlorine tablet dispenser. I definitely don't understand the plumbing around it.

And a related question, how can I set things such that I don't have to drain any water since my equipment is lower than my skimmers? I have to remove the pump motor again for the leak.

Sorry for taking so much of y'all's time. I promise I search and try to find answers a lot!!

Much gratitude,
Marci

 

[Texas Splash]

Glad to hear one issue is resolved. If that drips is at the bottom where the pump pot (wet end) and motor plate meet, I suspect that gasket that you wrestled with yesterday had a little problem. I would rather it be there than the shaft seal. I don't see any new pics, but we'll watch for them. I'll go back to the early part of this thread to look at your pad photos to see if we can help you understand how to isolate the pad (lower) from the pool waterline (higher) so you don't have a waterfall at the pad again.

 

[Texas Splash]

I didn't see any good pad pics, so when you get a chance, post a few pics of the entire equipment pad for us. Different angles help too so we can see all the valves & plumbing.

 

[NewPoolGirlTX]

I didn't see any good pad pics, so when you get a chance, post a few pics of the entire equipment pad for us. Different angles help too so we can see all the valves & plumbing.

Dang

I'll try again.

 

[NewPoolGirlTX]

@Texas Splash
Pump leak no longer leaking?

Is that a thing? Would it only leak at first and stop ? Hmm

 

[Texas Splash]

Pump leak no longer leaking?

Perhaps that gasket, along with your silicone, was not quite seated but with some heat in use it di just that - seated a tiny spot. Something to keep an eye on. Fingers crossed right?

 

[Texas Splash]

To isolate your pad from the pool, you have two areas to focus on. In front of the pool's main pump is a 3-way valve, then there's another 3-way valve after the tab feeder where water goes back to the return jets. Both of those valves need to be closed. They are actuator valves which means they are controlled by something - probably your Aqualink control system. There should be a setting to close those two valves. Honestly automation isn't my thing, so we can wait to see if Poolman joins the conversation later or I can tag someone else for that part.

 

[Texas Splash]

Just to give you an idea how those valves work ....

 

[1poolman1]

Everything is put back together and I still have a leak I think at housing, so I need to reseat the motor maybe. Not a trivial task with my equipment setup

One more issue: after the spider gasket replacement my filter is running about 6 psi higher than normal (and it always ran kind of high) any ideas? I backwashed and rinsed well

Can I let it run like this to get my chemicals balanced again?

I suck at this but I am learning a lot
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Marci

Not sure where I am in this thread. Sounds like the leak stopped.

To determine a seal leak you feel the bottom of the motor right where it attaches to the sealplate. If you look at a picture of the motor, you will see the flange is not solid across the bottom. That is so a seal leak can be seen sooner so less damage is done. If you feel water there and it isn't coming from an area above that you can see, seal leak.