baffled - low flow

Rick,

There is a drain plug at the bottom of most pump baskets. Is that tight?

must be reading my mind. I'll check those out too (yes, I have two of them down at the bottom). Also - I assume I should check the diffuser gasket as well since it comes right before the impeller? anythig else in that area I should check while I'm 'in there'? thx...

Rick,

I don't know what the diffuser gasket is. If it's in the pump, I would say no need......seems to me anything in the pump would spew water rather than suck air.....I could be wrong on that, tho.

here's a pic of the pump I have:
http://www.poolcenter.com/parts_pump..._superpump.htm
You'll see that (#3) is the diffuser gasket. I'm thinking I should probably check that too...but I'll check everything else first---just want to be thorough...I'll be back later with my (hopeful) progress

Hi Rick and all. Just wanted to apologise for the confusion with the 733, I had a senior moment and confused 'direct a flo' with 'vari flo' ;( ). Rick, can you see air bubbles in the pump, if not you don't have a suction side air leak - also if you do, how big is the air pocket visible in the lid? (size gives an indication as to the severity of the problem). Good luck with your detective work, hopefully tomorow, you'll post in telling us the problem is solved.

I *think* I foudn the problem - or at least a large part of it. BOTH drain plugs WILL NOT TIGHTEN (ugh) It appears that the inside threads are worn. So it's not as easy as simply replacing the plugs. So I guess that means buying a whole new basket/configuration? yuck. Then it dawned on me, if I'm considering trashing the existing unit, why not first try to seal the drain plugs somehow - even if it is a permanent bond of some sort at least it would get me through the summer. any suggesitons/ideas? I suppose pvc glue would work but I wonder if something less permanent might work...hmm...btw: i did try threading the plugs with tape and when I did that I did see a slight increase in pressure - and the pump is surging again. so that must be it...i hope

Rick, I think you're on the right track, many problems that I've had to address have been the result of a few small leaks, rather than just 1 big one. Before you go gluing anything in, see if you can find a replacement plug that comes with a gasket, (SP 1700 FG, Hayward, should do the job). There is also the posibility that the pump housing itself has failed, if that's the case, glue the 'bejesus' out of the plugs and cross your fingers that the glue hits the right spot.

thanks. yep - i tried plugs with gaskets but they still spun. I went ahead and glued the drain plugs in - it got better (enough that I can open the pool now -yay!) but its still not 100%. I noticed one of the plugs dripping water so I'll need to hit it with the glue again. Looks like I'm on the way. Thanks to everyone for their help - hopefully my wife will stop calling the pool my mistress now :)

Rick, as you have already glued the plugs in, try some 2 part epoxy to seal the leaks. Glad that you've almost conquered the problem!!!

The epoxy must've took care of the last of the leak as I now have 100% flow! In fact, it's better now that it's ever been. yay! Thanks to all of you for your help! Best, Rick