Pump Leaking & Air Bubbles

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Caracat

Caracat

0
Sep 9, 2018
71
Houston, TX
Hello!

I have water on the ground all around my pump and air bubbles coming from only one of my two pool jets. The pump has to be primed every time we empty the debris from the basket, which has been the case since we moved here 1.5 years ago. Of these issues, which is most concerning, and where should I start when it comes to getting everything in good shape?

Thanks!
Cara
 
I think you have two issues but let's solve them one at a time,

The bubbles in the pump basket indicate a suction side air leak. Please read this article to see if it helps. If we get that solved, we'll then look at stopping the water leak.

www.troublefreepool.com

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 www.troublefreepool.com
 
I would add after reading the article to check the O-rings on suction side of pump also. I changed out a pump last year and had many bubbles in the basket after the change. The new pump didn't line up with the old pipe connections so I had to change the piping around. Well not being a plumber I guessed the new pipe connections I made were sucking in air. So I caulked all of them on the suction side, no change. So after much more trouble shooting I gave up and undid every union connection and at last found that the o-ring/gasket on the pumps suction side had one little spot were the o-ring wasn't in the groove fully. Easy fix but it drove me nuts trying to find it.
 
I've tried most of what I can from the article, and I'd say the strainer basket lid is the most likely culprit. It spits water every time the pump turns off and has since before we bought the house. The pool inspector said we just needed a new O ring, which I replaced that last year, but the spitting is still the same. I don't want to spend $50 unnecessarily on a new lid, as I don't see any obvious cracks or issues with the current one. It is the type with two large screw-down black caps. I hate it, as the vibration of the pump loosens the screws every time it comes on and runs for a few minutes. Anything else I should look for when checking the integrity of that lid and gasket? I'm using a silicone lube from Leslie's. Should I try another type?
 
That lid may NOT be the culprit but there is a good chance. It shouldn't be tightened down to the breaking point but the screws should not be coming loose. Are there any washers under the screw-downs

Here's why it may not be.....Pump running, there is enough low pressure created in the pump basket to hold the lid tightly in place (you couldn't get it off if you wanted to). Then, when the pump shuts off, your air leak has pressurized the filter and that air blows the lid up loose enough to spit water.

So, you need to take a careful look at the lid again but you also have to look at all your connections on the suction side. Start with the skimmer making sure it is not sucking air (pump running) and work you way all the way to the pump.

PS - the lube is seldom the issue.
 
Okay, I will keep checking 'til I find something. But no, there are no washers. Should there be? The lid is definitely not tight while the pump is running. Debris from the basket often ends up sticking out of the edges of the lid, even when the basket is mostly empty. Pine needles, most often, but it happens with small leaves and stuff, too.
 
I'm surprised it even pumps if the lid is that loose!
As you can see from this diagram, there should be an O-ring #17 under the lid. Tightening the lid down compresses the O-ring and seals it air (and water) tight.

leslies-rs-series.jpg
 
duraleigh said:
I think you have two issues but let's solve them one at a time,

The bubbles in the pump basket indicate a suction side air leak. Please read this article to see if it helps. If we get that solved, we'll then look at stopping the water leak.

www.troublefreepool.com

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 www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...
Had bubbles too. Read the suction side leak article and it was, of course, the pump basket seal! Thankyou very helpful
 

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