Swimming pool pump mystery

[Eddo Rogue]

I cant seem to get my pool pump to maintain suction. I have to backwash it every few mins. Signs point to an air leak, but I cant seem to find it. I replaced the skimmer line last year. It worked fine all summer. I let the water get pretty bad this winter, usually it cleans up fine in spring when I do this. Im thinking the pump may be leaking internally? or perhaps there is an air leak I missed somewhere along the skimmer line? Im quite frustrated and stumped.

 

[Roert42]

Have you tried spraying the vacuum lines with carb cleaner to see if it surges?

 

[dvdswan]

Above ground or ground set pool? A ground set, if the water isn't get dirty any more, then I would say the pump is the issue. Above ground, I would look at the lines around the pool 1st.

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^

In-ground(with drain) or above ground?

Do you see alot of bubbles coming out of pumps outlet?
If not then most likely the impeller is worn out, or input or output is clogged.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

Had same problem a couple years back. The pipes inside the sand filter had separated. It was a ginormous pain in the ass. Almost wished I just bought a new one. Good luck. Hope tha it's a easy fix

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Have you tried spraying the vacuum lines with carb cleaner to see if it surges?

Yes, no luck.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

The skimmer line seems sealed. Gonna disassemble the pump next...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

It is a very old and large in ground pool. 40,000 gallon.

 

[dvdswan]

All 3 pretty much are the same...

Why Do I Have Air Bubbles in My Pool?

Where are my swimming pool air bubbles coming from? How do I fix them? In this article, we explain why you get air bubbles in your pool, how to fix the problem, and how you can prevent them from coming back.

www.riverpoolsandspas.com

How to Identify and Correct Air Leaks - INYOPools.com

How to Identify and Correct Air Leaks

www.inyopools.com

Pool Pumps - Sucking In Air: Pool School by PoolPlaza Pool Supplies - PoolPlaza.com

The pump is sucking in air

poolplaza.com

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Update: I finally replaced my pool pump. plumbed in all new line from intake side. Worked like a charm for half the summer, then started messing up again. I think its still getting air somehow, although I can't understand where as all intake pipes have been replaced/sealed, and pump is new. Its still losing pressure and needing backwash every few minutes. works perfect until I walk away. I'm thinking of filling the pool with dirt and planting a tree.

 

[Blmpkn]

Update: I finally replaced my pool pump. plumbed in all new line from intake side. Worked like a charm for half the summer, then started messing up again. I think its still getting air somehow, although I can't understand where as all intake pipes have been replaced/sealed, and pump is new. Its still losing pressure and needing backwash every few minutes. works perfect until I walk away. I'm thinking of filling the pool with dirt and planting a tree.

Skate it

 

[RonD]

Slow the pump impeller down

Cavitation of a propeller or impeller creates vapor bubbles in the system

"cavitation, formation of vapor bubbles within a liquid at low-pressure regions that occur in places where the liquid has been accelerated to high velocities, as in the operation of centrifugal pumps, water turbines, and marine propellers."

So air is not "getting in", speed of the pump is creating the air in the system

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Slow the pump impeller down

Cavitation of a propeller or impeller creates vapor bubbles in the system

"cavitation, formation of vapor bubbles within a liquid at low-pressure regions that occur in places where the liquid has been accelerated to high velocities, as in the operation of centrifugal pumps, water turbines, and marine propellers."

So air is not "getting in", speed of the pump is creating the air in the system

You mean add more D.E.?

 

[RonD]

I mean slow the pump down, its for circulation not pressure, maybe it has the wrong pump/impeller combo for the size of the system

Inflow for pump comes from the bottom of the pool and/or the "skimmer" near the top of the pool, both are(should be) under water, so no air entry at either

Water flows thru a filter(with D.E.) and back out to the pool, if you see any "air bubbles" on the outflow then you have cavitation or a leak
Pump is for flow only, its not a Jacuzzi, lol

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I mean slow the pump down, its for circulation not pressure, maybe it has the wrong pump/impeller combo for the size of the system

Inflow for pump comes from the bottom of the pool and/or the "skimmer" near the top of the pool, both are(should be) under water, so no air entry at either

Water flows thru a filter(with D.E.) and back out to the pool, if you see any "air bubbles" on the outflow then you have cavitation or a leak
Pump is for flow only, its not a Jacuzzi, lol

Hmm if anything it might be underpowered....it's a 1hp and the pool is 40000 gallons...