Air Entering Into System

[swdunbar]

I have an inground pool with two returns (bottom and skimmer) that pass through an electric heater, then through pump and then through sand filter before returning. Air is entering somewhere in this loop (I can see smaill bubbles in the return jets at the pool and a gurgling sound in the sand filter). If I prime it manually, I get decent pressure (16 psi), but if I turn off the pump, the reservoir just prior to ther pump empties and the only way to start the pump again without damage is to prime it manually again (i.e., timer I just installed is useless). it is a Hayward pump, reservoir is Hayward Model number SP2607X10. Here is a link to view it: http://www.poolsupplyworld.com/poolsupplies/poolpumps/products/SP2607X10.htm?ecmpid=CMPGB&adtype=paid&gclid=CIbS9KKLjbECFUFV4AodWnccEw. Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot the air entrance point or to fix the seal on the reservoir? Saw an older locked post on this where it was suggested that jandy valve be checked. What does this valve look like?

Thanks -

[Dr. Spa]

Probably either the pumps lid O ring, or some other seal/gasket in the pump, is leaking air in (not necessarily water out).

[Bugman1400]

In general, the returns are supposed to pass through the pump first then, the filter second then, the heater last. I have the same pump and if the pump is more than 5 years old and you cannot remember the last time you replaced the lid gasket then replace it.

[Pool Clown]

While the pump is running, does the pump pot completely fill up with no air inside?

[swdunbar]

I purchased a new rubber gasket for the pump reservoir. lid is thick plastic, hooks via two tabs on one end then clamped down by two threaded knobs on the other. Seemed to fix the problem (pump reservoir would stay full of water when pump was shut off). However, 24 hrs later, air and water was exiting from the return jets at pool and reservoir was gurgling/many air bubbles. When I shut the pump off, water spit from all 4 sides of the seal. So my leak is worse than before. Beginning to hate Hayward pumps. Is there a trick to getting a good seal with the new gasket? Don't understand why they wouldn't use a threaded cap or something.

[PoolGuyNJ]

Is the groove the gasket sits in clean and unbroken?

Is the lid's sealing edge clean?

Has the pump overheated? The suction side plumbing directly in front of the pump is susceptible to warping and or shrinking.

Was the motor changed recently? If the seal set wasn't changed, air can get in too.

Scott

[swdunbar]

Scott - Sorry for the delayed reply. Pool was installed 3 yrs ago, equipment is relatively new. groove for gasket is clean and not broken, sealing edge on lid was clean, pump has never overheated (only because we don't use the timer and are running the pump 24/7 to prevent cavitation. Pump has never been changed. Now I am noticing that I'm losing approx. 2" water after I fill the pool to the proper skimmer operating level. If I have a broken pipe, wouldn't I see dirt sccumulating somewhere or being jetted into the pool? Is there a way to isolate the water loss/air intake? (I was thinking of testing for pressure loss with compressor and gauge retrofit to pool line somewhere). Should have purchased an oceanfront cottage.

[PoolGuyNJ]

Suction lines don't normally spew dirt. Any dirt that they suck in would be filtered.

Cavitation is caused by starving a pump of water. Running 24/7 won't do anything more than waste electricity.

How often are you refilling?

A pressure test would help isolate some of the lines but returns are usually daisy chained. Suction lines may be tied to another but this depends on how the pool was plumbed.

Scott