Need Pool Help

Pool Equipment
1

Need Help,

I have changed my gaskets for a AO Smith 1.5 HO hooked to a StaRite Duraglas pump.  When the pump comes on the pressure at the filter is nearly 20 psi, after a few moments it drops to about 15psi.  When the pool cleaner is attached at the skimmer the pressure drops to less than 10 and the pump does not filter.  The pump continues to run but it does not generate enough pressure to allow the pump cleaner to work.  This has happened befoer and then the pump works, however it has not worked right for the past four months or so.

I have had several pool service people look at it.  I have had all the gaskets changed, The pump and motor are a few years old, maybe 10 or more.  I have had the pipe cleaned and it has continued to the point where I just want to know what direction to head toward to resolve the problem.

I would appreciate some help.

Thank you, AZ Pool

2

Hello AZ Pool - What is the make and model of your cleaner? Some cleaners, like the Kreepy Krauly, have a regulator that opens up so that the pump receives enough water and doesn’t cavitate. These regulators will sometimes go bad and this will cause problems like you are seeing.

Make sure the hoses are full of water before you plug the cleaner into the skimmer. Air in the hoses could cause the pump to lose prime. Also, check for any holes in the hoses. Holes will obviously draw air.

3

Thank you.

Barracuda G3.  I have taken out the regulator.  Having the regulator in changes nothing, the device does the same thing. I replaced the motor gaskets because the pump was leaking heavy on the wet side of unit.  The pump side or suction is dry.  The motor shaft is scored, not smooth.  I have never done a gasket or seal replacement before but I got the pieces back on correctly ceramic against black piece not the metal on the spring seal.  I am thinking along several lines, possibly the sand filter needs new sand and maybe I need to just repalce motor and pump.  I have looked at the pump and the repalceemnt listed on their site, if this is what I need.

After replaceing seals I noted the following, when I turned on the pump it climbed to 20 psi, the water in the pump shopwed clear in the basket site glass.  After the pump was on for a while, about a minute maybe a bit longer the pressure dropped to about 14-15psi and the water in the glass became a bit frothy, then the pressure lowered until the pool cleaner was not working and the pump was showing it was starving for water.

I tried it again without the pool cleaner later and it did the same thing, so in this test the pool cleaner was not hooked up or the hoses.  This is leading me to the sand as a possibility.  I have been in this house about four years and there is no record on when the sand may have been repalced.

4

Usually, the PSI will climb when the sand needs to be replaced. Below is an excerpt from an article about weak jets but the info will apply to reasons why you’re losing your prime.

Air Is the Enemy

The most common reason for weak jets is an air leak. An air leak would come from the suction side of the system. This would be the area between the skimmer and the pump. One way to determine if you have an air leak is by looking for air bubbles coming out of the return jets. Another sign is air in the pump strainer. The pump strainer, in most cases, should be full of water and have no visible air.

Pump lid O-rings are a habitual offender of air leaks. The O-ring can expand or deteriorate over time and allow air to enter the pump. You can try applying a silicone or Teflon lubricant to see if it helps, but often times it needs to be replaced.

Plumbing fittings will also draw air. A popular technician trick is to use burning incense. While the pump is running, wave the burning incense near suspected areas. The smoke will be drawn in, if there is a leak. Check the fitting on the pump intake, the couplings and elbows. Cut out and replace any fittings that have an air leak.

Valves can be inspected like the plumbing fittings. Diverter valves will usually have internal O-rings. These O-rings can easily be replaced to fix an air leak. Simple ball valves are not usually repairable and need to be replaced, if there is a leak.

Drain plugs are found on most pumps. These plugs are usually used to drain the pump when a pool is winterized. They should be tightened firmly into the pump. Inspect the drain plug and drain plug O-ring. Replace them if they look decrepit.

Pump Problems

Pool owners often tell us that the pool pump pressure is too low. With low jet pressure, the cause could be a damaged or clogged impeller. The pump will need to be split in half in order to inspect the impeller. Dog hair, pine needles and other small debris are main culprits for a clogged impeller. Replace the impeller if the body or any of the veins are cracked.

If the pump strainer is not full of water and an air leak has been ruled out, your pump may not be fully primed. With the pump off, remove the lid and fill the strainer with water. Keep the water running for a couple minutes. This will allow the pipes to fill with water. If you turn on the pump and it still struggles to prime, it could be an issue with the suction-side plumbing. Check out our article titled “How To: Fix Priming Problems In Your Pool Plumbing” for an in-depth look at priming problems.

Plumbing Issues

There may be a clogged suction side line if very little or no water is entering the pump. This will often occur if a leaf trap or vac plate is not used when vacuuming the pool. The clog will occur between the skimmer or vacuum port and the pump. A traditional plumbing snake will not usually work on pool plumbing, because of all the 90° turns. We recommend using an electrician’s fish tape or a drain cleaning water bladder.