The dreaded bubble from heck

[AviatorBimmer]

I've tried everything. Applying silicone grease to the rubber gasket in the pump's basket cover and also to the rubber seals on both the suction and pressure side fittings; also tightened the drain plugs on the pump and did the water hose trick on all glued joints, fittings, valves and covers that I could think of.

If I run it full speed or prime it, it will fill the entire pump beautifully but once I drop down to slower speeds, the bubble starts forming and after a day or so, the water level inside the basket has dropped to almost the top of the intake mouth.

Here is a pic of it as soon as it started forming.



This is driving me nuts and I'm worried while at work that it will lose all prime and go dry, thus damaging my pump.

 

[Jimrahbe]

A,

What pipes come into the pump? What kind of valves are in front of the pump? How about a pic of the entire suction side...

As a temporary fix you can just schedule you pump to ramp up in speed once or twice a day for 10 minutes.. This will at least keep the basket full.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[AviatorBimmer]

A,

What pipes come into the pump? What kind of valves are in front of the pump? How about a pic of the entire suction side...

As a temporary fix you can just schedule you pump to ramp up in speed once or twice a day for 10 minutes.. This will at least keep the basket full.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hi Jim,

Here is the suction side:



Brand new Pentair valves. As a matter of fact, ALL piping above ground on the pad was re-piped using 2" pvc.

And I Iiterally just did that, since my pump is on 24/7 at 1150 RPM, I programmed it to speed up to 3000 RPM every 6 hours for 15 minutes. This will definitely make sure it doesn't run dry.

When running at 3000 RPM, the basket fills up within a minute or so, and no bubbles at all.

 

[AviatorBimmer]

This morning the pump ran at 5:45am for 15 minutes at 3000 RPM, filled up the basket and when I checked at 7:30am, a huge air bubble was already forming once again.

I ran it again at 3000 RPM, filled up the basket and shut the system off. I want to see if it's still filled this evening after being shut off all day.

I really need to find this #%*+#^*+#%* air leak.

 

[Jimrahbe]

A,

I assume that you have tried to run the pump off of just one input at a time... If not, I would try that..

Do you have two skimmers or a main drain and one skimmer?

When you shut off the pump, does the water in the pump basket drain back into the pool?

Keep in mind that when running at a low RPM, there will always be some air under the pump lid.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[AviatorBimmer]

A,

I assume that you have tried to run the pump off of just one input at a time... If not, I would try that..

Do you have two skimmers or a main drain and one skimmer?

When you shut off the pump, does the water in the pump basket drain back into the pool?

Keep in mind that when running at a low RPM, there will always be some air under the pump lid.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim,

I have not tried isolating the drain and skimmer, yet. lol

I have 1 skimmer and 1 drain, and I always have the valve set to 50/50.

I shut off the pump this morning before heading off to work. Before doing so, I ensured to run it faster and get the basket fully primed with no bubbles.

Once I get home this evening, I will see if the water drained back into the pool.

 

[PoolGate]

Possibly leaking from the valve itself?

 

[AviatorBimmer]

Possibly leaking from the valve itself?

Brand new valve, but I guess these can also be defective from factory? I will take off the handle and do a more thorough check of it using the water hose and shaving cream tests.

 

[PoolGate]

Brand new valve, but I guess these can also be defective from factory? I will take off the handle and do a more thorough check of it using the water hose and shaving cream tests.

The Jandy valves (similar) have 2 orings around the handle and an oring around the main part. Possibly that is where your issue lies. If you take it apart to inspect, don't until you have silicone lube to put it back together with.

 

[AviatorBimmer]

The Jandy valves (similar) have 2 orings around the handle and an oring around the main part. Possibly that is where your issue lies. If you take it apart to inspect, don't until you have silicone lube to put it back together with.

Ordered this lube and will arrive this afternoon:



So I'll get to work on those o-rings and all the ones on the pump (lid, drains and intake union).

I will get to the bottom of this today!!

 

[Jimrahbe]

A,

The idea to run from each input pipe, one at a time, is to eliminate them as the possible problem.. If you still have the problem when running from just the skimmer and just the main drain, it is very unlikely that both inputs have the same problem.

Thanks,

Jim R.