Hayward Ecostar Pump - Air Issues?

[jevincent1]

The air pocket is definitely increasing, as I need to bleed the air daily from the filter.

The pool company checked the pressure between the two surface skimmers and suction inlet in the strainer area. They said they did not need to check the main drain since it connected to a surface skimmer before running back to the pump (I asked twice). No pressure loss was detected. The technician noted that all was fine, and they didn't believe their was a problem.

I did look at the lid, but it appeared recessed and out of reach. I'll take another look at it. I'll also give the shaving cream around the drain plug and strainer lid a try to see if anything shows up.

I did not notice a vortex in either of the two surface skimmers.

Thanks for the help!

[BigDave]

Yea, the lid design does make it hard to get to the O-ring. I haven't had the nerve to remove it yet but I do clean it with a cloth and work some lube onto it with a Q-tip. Be sure to use silicone lube meant for this purpose.

Try the shaving cream on the plumbing joints as well. Perhaps it's tight under pressure but not under vacuum.

Good luck, let us know how it goes. Suction leaks are tough.

[jevincent1]

I tried to lube the strainer o ring, but no difference. Going to get shaving cream today. Can you elaborate on how the saran wrap method works? For the strainer lid, for example, would you take lid off, put saran wrap, then put the lid back on? Or wrap the entire stainer area with the lid already on?

[BigDave]

I haven't done it myself, read about it. I understand that plastic film would be wrapped around joints and inspected for evidence that it is being pulled into the joint. Shaving cream seems like it would be easier to observe. I wouldn't even try plastic film on the strainer lid - too many strange shapes.

[jevincent1]

After quite the mess with shaving cream, I found that on 2700 rpm, if I put shaving cream around the joints of the exposed suction piping connecting the skimmers to the 3 way valve, the bubbles were completely eliminated. I didn't see any shaving cream in the strainer basket, but it looks like it was thick enough to seal the leak for a couple of minutes.

Is that how it is supposed to work?

[BigDave]

I didn't think the shaving cream would seal the leak, just help find it. Wow. Now you know where the leak is. Are the joints glued or threaded?

[jevincent1]

Yep, it sealed it. I don't think it is large at all, just a tiny leak that allows air into the lid over time. The joints are glued - I have flex pipe coming out of the ground into a plastic 90 which is then piped into the valve for each of the two suction lines.

He was pretty impressed with the picture I sent him showing the entire thing covered in shaving cream and the clear lid showing a full prime with no air. He is sending a tech out to silicone each of the joints leading into the valve for both suction lines.