AGP installed last July. Opened up middle of May and cannot get the pump to stay full of water. I checked everything. Removed all unions connections etc. changed all o-rings even though the o-rings were good, lubed everything etc. Changed the pool pump lid o-ring as well. Did the water test, smoke test and I cannot find where an air leak is if there is one . The pump is a Hayward Variable speed 2.7hp. All 2 in piping. All lines were blew out at the end of the season last year. Any other things I can do? Really frustrating.
Pump not filling up with water
- Thread starter xpert66
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,017
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Please post a pic or two of your equipment pad so we can see the filter and everything.
Pump is running quiet. Filter is maintaining pressure and not bouncing up/down. When I open the bleeder valve at the the filter no air comes out, just water. Pool lines are burried but did it myself in July last year. Didn't pressure check the suction side but I think I would have seen dirt in the pump and pool if there was a leak there. Pool water is crystal clear. I am lost at figuring this out.
Note that the video you posted in #5 is not viewable. Flagged as "This video is private"
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,017
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Nothing jumps-out at me as odd by looking at the pic. Is the water level in the pump always low, or only on a low rpm?
Thanks for the heads up. It's just a short video showing how much air is at the top of the pool pump basket. It's filled up around 90% with water
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RPMs don't matter. Right now it's filled up with just maybe the size of a mayonnaise cover air bubble. 3 days ago it was filled up pretty good with just a large bubble at the top but yesterday I cleaned out the basket and when the pump started this morning it was about 80% full with water. I restarted primed the pump again and let out a lot of water out of the cartridge filter and now it's about 95% full. I don't want to keep letting water out to resolve this issue. I just have a feeling the next time I clean the basket it's going to happen again
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,017
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
At this point, the only thing that makes sense is there is still a tiny air leak on teh suction side. Doesn't take much. Could be a 3-way valve handle O-ring or anything from the skimmer to pump. You mentioned not doing a pressure test last year, but if you're sure everything at the pad checks out okay, that might be your last item to check.
- Jul 20, 2007
- 136
- Pool Size
- 30000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
From an elevation perspective, where is the pool in relation to the pump / equipment?
Are you getting a vortex in your skimmer?
When did you last clean your cartridges?
How is the flow? If the pump is not loosing flow or prime and you are not seeing airbubbles in your returns (or air building up in your filter), it may just be how your system is. Sometimes the bubble at the very top sticks around.
PS: i just had an air leak from a jandy valve where the cover screws were not snug. The air leak was very slight, but the real issue came up when the filter started to reduce flow and the bubles could not be pushed through the system. So it was a combination of issues that made the issue stick out.
Are you getting a vortex in your skimmer?
When did you last clean your cartridges?
How is the flow? If the pump is not loosing flow or prime and you are not seeing airbubbles in your returns (or air building up in your filter), it may just be how your system is. Sometimes the bubble at the very top sticks around.
PS: i just had an air leak from a jandy valve where the cover screws were not snug. The air leak was very slight, but the real issue came up when the filter started to reduce flow and the bubles could not be pushed through the system. So it was a combination of issues that made the issue stick out.
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Pool pump is just about level with the pool water. Filters are clean. Pool is only open less than a month. No air bubbles at return.
I have to be honest I'm not very happy with any of the Jandy valves I installed. I do not think they are airtight and supposedly according to Fluidra some valves were shipped with the non-posi paddles. They are sending me replacement paddles that are supposed to be the posi seal ones. I'm not sure how true this is but when they come I will inspect everything. Hopefully this will end my problem with air and also problems with water leaking at the unused ports I intended on using to blow out lines for winter. If not, all Jandy valves are being replaced with double union ball valves. I'll just remove the valves so the winter and blow out the lines that way. I'll be done with Jandy
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,017
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Received the new paddles are they are no different then the ones I have. These valves are just not air tight. Anyway I am positive the valves are not causing my pump problem. I think the pump may be the issue. I have a ticket into Hayward and hopefully they will either give me some suggestions or send someone out to check the pump.
Pool places are so backed up to send out a technician it's crazy. My weir door on my skimmer almost lays flat in towards the basket. Is this normal? When I push it up water gets sucked down fast before I let it go.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,017
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Is your water level high enough? Should somewhere about 1/2 to even 3/4 up the opening on the skimmer.
1/2 way up the skimmer. Not sure if this is the reason for the pump no filling completely with water. RPM's at 2000. Was thinking the pump is too strong as it's pulling the weir door down too much. Tomorrow I'll add a few more inches of water and see if that helps with the water level in the pump too
arvil
Well-known member
I usually need to keep my skimmer more than half closer to 3/4. Lower, the pump can suck an occasional vortex and get some air trapped in the pump basket.