Just replaced my filter and attached plumbing which fixed a leak on the suction side. Now I am noticed that when I turn on my pump after being off for awhile I get a large amount of air coming out of my returns. I also notice that my SWG cell is drained of water and it takes a couple of minutes for water to flow through it. While I can not see inside my filter tank I believe part of it is draining as well when pump is off. Trying to figure out why this is happening. I see occasional drips coming out of my 3 way valve on the return side. See attached pictures. Advice on how to troubleshoot and fix this issue will be greatly appreciated.
Return Side leak?
- Thread starter George Whitzel
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,192
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
The same holes that drip when the pump is running will suck air back in when the pump turns off. Fix any points that drip.
A perfect system will hold pressurization when the pump is off. Any hole that leaks let’s air in and pressurization is lost and the water flows out.
A perfect system will hold pressurization when the pump is off. Any hole that leaks let’s air in and pressurization is lost and the water flows out.
So my pump basket remains full. Seems like it would drain as well? and I do not have to prime on startup. Guess I can try and fix by replacing O ring in the 3 way valve.
So I fixed the drip by taking apart the three way valve, cleaning inside, lubing the gasket and reinstalling the valve into the plumbing. I am still losing water albeit it much more slowly than before. What process should I use to locate an air leak on the return lines?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,192
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
My SWG cell is transparent ( see attached pictures) and when I look at it after the pump is turned off awhile and shows half full so I believe some water is draining from it back into the pool.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,192
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,192
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If you had any serious leak the water would totally drain.
That amount of water says the pipe is holding pressurization.
That amount of water says the pipe is holding pressurization.
I guess I am too much of a perfectionist at times. Anyway I will not worry about this as long as it does not totally drain down.
Thanks a lot for your advice!!
Thanks a lot for your advice!!
yep, all pool plumbing will drain a bit when the pump is off. Leaking back into the pool isn’t a leak.