Posted: 5/24/2015 10:23:50 AM EDT
Pool pump turns on, but doesn't circulate. This is a problem. 
DE filter was backwashed and cleaned ~4 weeks ago. It shouldn't be a problem. Impeller isn't blocked, as far as I can tell. The issue is resolved when I take the cap off the chlorinator on the return side and introduce some air to the return side of the system. Then the pump primes and operates normally until shut-off. The next morning the process needs to be repeated. Anyone had this issue? |
| From your description, it sounds as if you have a leak of some sort. Does the filter basket that is attached to the pump have air in it when the system restarts in the morning? I may be something as simple as a gasket leak on your pump filter or your filter itself. When the system shuts down for the night, the leak allows air into the system and the water that is in the pump filter drains back to the pool. At restart, your pump has a hard time priming because of the air leaking into the system. I only built/serviced pools for one summer so take this for what it's worth, which is almost nothing. Hope you find your problem. |
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Filter pressure? Bet the filter is blinded, lots of pollen. Breaking the seal allows the filter to drain and semi-cleans the surface area of the filter till you run it awhile and blind the filter again. Note the operation pressure when clean, if it rises by more than 6 psi from the clean pressure reading it's time to clean again. TLDR: clean the filter |
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Filter pressure? Bet the filter is blinded, lots of pollen. Breaking the seal allows the filter to drain and semi-cleans the surface area of the filter till you run it awhile and blind the filter again. Note the operation pressure when clean, if it rises by more than 6 psi from the clean pressure reading it's time to clean again. TLDR: clean the filter I'll probably end up cleaning the filter, but damnit the operating PSI hasn't changed at all. |
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Quoted: Sounds like you have an air leak that is allowing the water (priming) to drain from the pump. I'm assuming this is an in ground pool with the pump/filter above the water level of the pool. This. As stated above, I'm guessing a leak in the suction side of the plumbing. How is the seal on the pump shaft? Any drips or leaks when its running.? How old is the seal.? Did it get run dry at initial start up? Those seal can heat up and burn out if the pump is run dry, for any period of time. Is there water in the clear filter on the pump in the morning? if not, try filling this filter with a bucket of water/garden hose, and see if it starts up. Finding suction leaks can be a bitch, especially with an in-ground pool. Got a jack-hammer / shovel? Good luck. Please post what you find. |
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Yes. Never knew that was an issue. Quoted:
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Sounds like you have an air leak that is allowing the water (priming) to drain from the pump. I'm assuming this is an in ground pool with the pump/filter above the water level of the pool. Yes. Never knew that was an issue. I'm also assuming you have a strainer basket on the suction side of the pump. Does it have a clear lid? When you shut the pump off, that area should remain full of water. If it drains, you have a leak. I'm not familiar with DE filters. Does your filter have a vent on top? If it does, you might try venting it when you start the pump. |
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I'm also assuming you have a strainer basket on the suction side of the pump. Does it have a clear lid? When you shut the pump off, that area should remain full of water. If it drains, you have a leak. I'm not familiar with DE filters. Does your filter have a vent on top? If it does, you might try venting it when you start the pump. Quoted:
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Sounds like you have an air leak that is allowing the water (priming) to drain from the pump. I'm assuming this is an in ground pool with the pump/filter above the water level of the pool. Yes. Never knew that was an issue. I'm also assuming you have a strainer basket on the suction side of the pump. Does it have a clear lid? When you shut the pump off, that area should remain full of water. If it drains, you have a leak. I'm not familiar with DE filters. Does your filter have a vent on top? If it does, you might try venting it when you start the pump. It drains down to the level of the pipe coming from the pool.The seal on the clear lid is fine, and, now that you mention it, there is routinely a bit of water on the concrete around the pump.... as someone else mentioned, I bet my leak is right there. |
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How is the seal on the pump shaft? Any drips or leaks when its running.? How old is the seal.? Did it get run dry at initial start up? Those seal can heat up and burn out if the pump is run dry, for any period of time. Routinely a bit of water surrounding the pump. I bet my leak is there. |
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Quoted: Routinely a bit of water surrounding the pump. I bet my leak is there. Quoted: Quoted: How is the seal on the pump shaft? Any drips or leaks when its running.? How old is the seal.? Did it get run dry at initial start up? Those seal can heat up and burn out if the pump is run dry, for any period of time. Routinely a bit of water surrounding the pump. I bet my leak is there. you got it. If water is coming out when running, air is certainly going in when it is stopped. Dry it up carefully, and watch for the leak when you start the pump. Or stick a hose in the debris filter with the pump off and look for leaks. If you are careful with the hose nozzle, you can keep the filter full without overflowing it, unless the water runs back to the pool too fast. Is there a suction shut off valve? |
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you got it. If water is coming out when running, air is certainly going in when it is stopped. Dry it up carefully, and watch for the leak when you start the pump. Or stick a hose in the debris filter with the pump off and look for leaks. If you are careful with the hose nozzle, you can keep the filter full without overflowing it, unless the water runs back to the pool too fast. Is there a suction shut off valve? Quoted:
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How is the seal on the pump shaft? Any drips or leaks when its running.? How old is the seal.? Did it get run dry at initial start up? Those seal can heat up and burn out if the pump is run dry, for any period of time. Routinely a bit of water surrounding the pump. I bet my leak is there. you got it. If water is coming out when running, air is certainly going in when it is stopped. Dry it up carefully, and watch for the leak when you start the pump. Or stick a hose in the debris filter with the pump off and look for leaks. If you are careful with the hose nozzle, you can keep the filter full without overflowing it, unless the water runs back to the pool too fast. Is there a suction shut off valve? I just took apart the pump so I can redo the seals. It looks like the diffuser seal is the culprit. |
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A few years ago my 85 year old father started getting "confused" and doing odd things like checking the pool pump every day. He would undo the brass T-nuts and crack open the brass cover to look at the basket, breaking the prime on the pump. I'd have to drive over there and reprime the pump by filling the strainer and sticking a garden hose into the skimmer to force water through the pump to get the air out. It was a huge pain in the ass and quickly becoming a family crisis. So one day I said fuck it and just replaced the whole fucking pump with one of these from Hayward - 
http://www.amazon.com/Hayward-SP2610X15-1-5-HP-Max-Rated-Single-Speed/dp/B00198CW7G/ First, it's got nice thumbscrews that are easy to unscrew and replace and don't feel like medieval torture devices. Second, the skimmer basket cover is clear plastic, so you can check for leaves without cracking the seal. But the single best feature is this pump is self priming!! A stone dry pump will suck water up to 8 feet high and prime itself in a few seconds!!! So now if Dad does take off the cover, my Mom can easily replace it, hit the switch and they're GTG! |