whoosing noise

I have a hayward pro sand filter and hayward heater. My pump when I turn it off to backwash makes this whooshing noise and the water goes out of the pump. Is this normal?? Don't I normally need water in the pump to backwash? I normally turn the pump off, backwash, turn it on to rinse, etc. This new equipment is driving me crazy!! I am not sure if I turn the red big handle that is in between everything off also to domy pool. Can someone help me??My kids want to swim........oh yes, the pressure is up to 20. How do I get it down? I thought backwashing would do that? I cleaned out my filter sock and it had lots of crud in it. The water is clear and my numbers seem to be fine. I have only had the pool open a few days. The noise from the eyeball thing is driving me nuts also.

I was having a similar problem with a whoosing noise while vacuuming and water draining when the pump was turned off. I was also getting air bubbles in the pump strainer while the pump was running. It turned out that the gasket around top of the the pump strainer was worn out. I replaced it and the problem went away.

Look for any air getting into the system, either through a bad gasket or a leaking pipe joint. Hopefully others will have some tips as well. Good luck!

Tad

Timmie,
Correct me if I'm wrong but when the water drains out of the pump basket, does it happen when you push on the valve handle to switch to backwash? If so this is probably normal. Think about what happens and thre effect of gravity. When you push on the handle you open all ports of the valve assembly and air can enter from the backwash (or waste) port and gravity will let water drain out of the pump basket back to the skimmer. Just turn the pump back on and it should prime and start pumping. Sounds like you changed equipment somewhere along the way and I'm not sure what that red handle is.
Al