Pump pressure issue

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Northern cannonball

Northern cannonball

Bronze Supporter
Sep 12, 2021
150
Toronto, Canada
Pool Size
9250
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
Good morning folks,
It has been a frustrating 12 hours (sigh). I opened my pool this weekend following the guidance on this forum. Everything went smoothly, water looked good etc. Then i turned on the pump last night and after several attempts i finally got some pressure and the jets roared to life. I noticed a leak at the first union leaving the pump so i shut it off last night and started tackling it this morning. First thing I did was unscrew (by hand) the union and was surprised how the pipe joined the pump, seems it just sits on top and the union when tightened just holds them together... anyhow I applied some magic lube around the top of the pipe and tightened the union by hand.
Fired the pump back up and after 5 min still not enough pressure to get things going. Some pressure is being built up in the lines, as when I shut it off and release the filter pressure valve, a bunch of air escapes. What should I do? I am worried about running the pump to long without water flow. Also the pump sits about 5-6 ft above pool level.
Thanks in advance!
 
How long are you priming it for ?
My pump is about 50 feet from my pool, and 5-6 feet higher.
My normal prime time is 3 mins, but when I open I have to prime for 8 mins (which is what my pump manual suggest)
 
blazer58 said:
How long are you priming it for ?
My pump is about 50 feet from my pool, and 5-6 feet higher.
My normal prime time is 3 mins, but when I open I have to prime for 8 mins (which is what my pump manual suggest)
Click to expand...
Hi Blazer, had it running for about 5 minutes or so. Am a little nervous running it longer.
 
I found this in an FHPM manual, no mention of of how long to prime.
Make sure all your unions and tight and the pump lids is on correct ( a little lube around the top of lid helps)

1. Release all pressure from the system and open the filter pressure release valve.
2. Take one of the following actions: – If the pump is located below the water level of the pool, open the filter pressure release valve to prime the pump with water. – If the pump is located above the water level, remove the lid and fill the basket with water before starting the pump.
3. Prior to replacing the lid, check for debris around the lid o-ring seat. Debris around the lid o-ring seat will cause air to leak into the system, and make it difficult to prime the pump.
4. Hand-tighten the lid to make an air tight seal. Do not use any tools to tighten the lid: hand-tighten only. Ensure that the lid is secure. Make sure all valves are open and the unions are tight.
5. Restore power to the pump and then turn it on.
6. Once all the air has left the filter, close the filter pressure release valve.
7. The pump should prime. The time it takes to prime will depend on the elevation and length of pipe used on the suction supply pipe. See Section 3.1.3.3, Installation Recommendations for proper elevation and pipe size. 8. If the pump does not prime and all the instructions to this point have been followed, check for a suction leak. If there is no leak, repeat Steps 2 through 7.
 
First thing I did was unscrew (by hand) the union and was surprised how the pipe joined the pump, seems it just sits on top and the union when tightened just holds them together
Click to expand...
Please confirm that you have a rubber O-ring to waterproof that joint between pump and pipe
 
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blazer58 said:
I found this in an FHPM manual, no mention of of how long to prime.
Make sure all your unions and tight and the pump lids is on correct ( a little lube around the top of lid helps)

1. Release all pressure from the system and open the filter pressure release valve.
2. Take one of the following actions: – If the pump is located below the water level of the pool, open the filter pressure release valve to prime the pump with water. – If the pump is located above the water level, remove the lid and fill the basket with water before starting the pump.
3. Prior to replacing the lid, check for debris around the lid o-ring seat. Debris around the lid o-ring seat will cause air to leak into the system, and make it difficult to prime the pump.
4. Hand-tighten the lid to make an air tight seal. Do not use any tools to tighten the lid: hand-tighten only. Ensure that the lid is secure. Make sure all valves are open and the unions are tight.
5. Restore power to the pump and then turn it on.
6. Once all the air has left the filter, close the filter pressure release valve.
7. The pump should prime. The time it takes to prime will depend on the elevation and length of pipe used on the suction supply pipe. See Section 3.1.3.3, Installation Recommendations for proper elevation and pipe size. 8. If the pump does not prime and all the instructions to this point have been followed, check for a suction leak. If there is no leak, repeat Steps 2 through 7.
Click to expand...
Trying these steps right now. thanks
 
Dave will repost but you should have an o ring present.
If not your more than likely sucking air at the union joint
 
blazer58 said:
Dave will repost but you should have an o ring present.
If not your more than likely sucking air at the union joint
Click to expand...
Hey Blazer, it is the connection that runs from pump to filter, if that makes a difference. I put some dish soap bubbles around the union and it didn't appear there was a leak. The location is under the fitting circled in red. thanks for the help guys.
Ignore the qtips, i used them to get some lube into where the pump lid gasket resides.;)
IMG-0683.jpg
fitting.JPG
 

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I have never used a "half-union" exactly like that but I am fairly confidant you need an o-ring. Is there a circular groove for an o-ring to fit in there at that connection.

Just so we're all on the same page, that connec5tion is on the pressure side of you system and would not suck in air, It would blow air or water out.

I don't think it's the cause of you sluggishness to get "prime" but it needs to be fixed.

5-6 feet is a big lift for the suction side of a pool pump. If we can't find a leak, you may want to consider a check valve
 
duraleigh said:
I have never used a "half-union" exactly like that but I am fairly confidant you need an o-ring. Is there a circular groove for an o-ring to fit in there at that connection.

Just so we're all on the same page, that connec5tion is on the pressure side of you system and would not suck in air, It would blow air or water out.

I don't think it's the cause of you sluggishness to get "prime" but it needs to be fixed.

5-6 feet is a big lift for the suction side of a pool pump. If we can't find a leak, you may want to consider a check valve
Click to expand...
OK, i removed the union and the pipes were slightly off center where they joined. Maneuvered the pipe that connects to the pump pipe a little so they lined up perfectly and tightened the union. I got pressure within about 5 minutes.
Here is a close up of the connection along with the magic lube. Nowhere to put an o-ring....IMG-0684.jpg
 
duraleigh said:
I have never used a "half-union" exactly like that but I am fairly confidant you need an o-ring. Is there a circular groove for an o-ring to fit in there at that connection.

Just so we're all on the same page, that connec5tion is on the pressure side of you system and would not suck in air, It would blow air or water out.

I don't think it's the cause of you sluggishness to get "prime" but it needs to be fixed.

5-6 feet is a big lift for the suction side of a pool pump. If we can't find a leak, you may want to consider a check valve
Click to expand...
Correct, it is on the pressure side. After i aligned the pipes it still leaks a little but not as much and i can finally run the pump b4 my water testing. Logically it would make sense for a gasket to be there, but there isn't any grooves to put one in...
 
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Guessing there's a place/slot for it on the female side of the union.
I would order one that's made for that pump just to be sure
 
Jandy will not provide any assistance to a pool owner. Only refer you to their 'authorized' service centers.
 
mknauss said:
Jandy will not provide any assistance to a pool owner. Only refer you to their 'authorized' service centers.
Click to expand...
Yup they were not helpful at all, even after putting me on hold for 15 minutes. :cry:
I spoke to the pool company and they said there should be a gasket, I've explained to them several times now that there is nowhere to insert the gasket and it is literally plastic pipe on plastic pipe. I don't think this particular pipe was installed correctly.
They did say that the vibration from the pump can move some of the equipment around which may have caused the issue. Case and point, the connections to the heater were also leaking lightly, so i unscrewed the unions and they had a gasket present unlike the pump, i lubed these up with magic lube II and voila the leaking has stopped. I had to move the cartridge filter around slightly to ensure the pipes aligned correctly.

Not sure what to do about the pool pump though....

From the photo below, there is no place for the gasket to go in either of the connections. both are smooth plastic. btw i went a little heavy on the lube lol

IMG-0688.jpg
 
Last edited:
Did you check the female side of the union to see if it has a grove for the o ring ?
That is were my rings are on my pump.
 

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