Fixing suction side leaks (with RTV silicone)

[LukeNorris]

Hello,

Luke the semi-professional pool guy here. I have a customer with a leak in their suction side. They have a hayward super pump and one skimmer and no main drain. I have pressure tested the skimmer line. It does not leak. I have replumbed the suction side so I know it is leak free.

The pump will prime up and run for about 3 seconds before losing prime very quickly. I replaced the strainer lid oring to no advail. My thoughts are either a hairline crazy in the strainer housing or a crazy in the strainer lid. Please advise!

Thanks!

Luke

[duraleigh]

Luke,

Twice before, you have posted problems, received suggestions, and then never posted back to share in a solution.

None of us get paid, unless you count the education we all receive when the original poster lets us know how his/her problem was resolved. :)

That said, are the drain plug(s) snug in the pump basket?

[LukeNorris]

Ok, the leak has been found and problem fixed. I replaced the lid oring on the super pump, that really didn't help much. But after I secured it with blue RTV, it primed up in seconds and runs fine now.

Thanks for all who responded.

Luke
semi-professional pool tech
Owner, Luke Pool Service, Tucker,GA

[duraleigh]

Hi, Luke,

What is blue RTV? Is it tape?

[LukeNorris]

Blue RTV, is a silcon caulk. IT comes a tube, its like magic lube, but it gets hard.

I use it to "glue" in orings on lids, pump seals, volute orings. things like that.

[ThePoolGuy]

Blue RTV is usualy found in the automotive stores or section of Walmart.