baffled - low flow

[rickpx14]

Hi. No. My setup is: from the skimmer a direct line (underground) and then up through the ground into the pump. The water goes through the pump to the valve where i have the option of filter, waste, recirc, backwash, rinse or closed. I am assuming suction side is anything before the pump...thx

[duraleigh]

Hi, Rick,

That's what I thought, and, yes, suction side is, logically, everything from the impeller of the pump back to the skimmer. Pressure side is everything the other way...pump up to the filter, thru the multi-port valve, etc.

So that Sp 711 valve is not the issue nor is anything on the pressure side since a pressure side leak is water spewing (leaking) from the system.

Suction side leaks, like yours, are characterized by air being drawn into the system. Okay, you've got a suction side leak and there are no moving parts on the suction side. The most common leak is at the o-ring on the pump basket. I know you said you've got suction at that basket but check the o-ring carefully again. Make sure it is seated correctly and eliminate it as a possible source.

The next most likely would be the union between the suction side pipe and the pump basket. There is typically an o-ring there as well. Ensure that it is in place.

I'm still stumped, but it sounds like it is getting narrowed down. An underground suction leak is always thought of but that is very unlikely. That system is drawing air somewhere betweem the skimmer and the impeller on the pump....we'll (you'll) find it.

[rickpx14]

Thanks for the reassurance. My gut all along was that it is an air leak somewhere on the suction side but I'll be damned if i can find it. I don't see or hear anything. I can see through the basket lid and the oring certainly looks sealed but to be sure, I'll get a new one. I don't recall an oring at the union of the basket and suction side pipe. I'll look at that again too. thanks - hopefully I'll be back with good news sooner than later.

[duraleigh]

Rick,

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

[rickpx14]

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...

[duraleigh]

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.

[rickpx14]

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