air bubble in pump basket

[mbar]

We replaced the pump this year with a 3/4 horse power hayward tristar pump. There doesn't seem to be any air coming back into the pool through the skimmers, but there is a bubble in the pump basket. When the basket is taken out, the bubble goes down to nothing. The basket does not come up high enough to break the seal, so I am at a loss as to what it could be. There is sufficient pressure, which is another baffling matter. Does anyone have any experience with this? My husband thinks that the basket is too thick to let the air bubble out - but i am not sure, because when I called Hayward they said there should not be any air in the pump basket.

[Poconos]

Hi Marie,
They are right in that there should be no air in the basket but it may be no big deal. Indicates there is not enough flow to purge the basket of air. From your comment 'there is enough pressure' are you referring to flow from the return jets or actual pressure and what is the gauge reading? Low pressure would indicate a suction side restriction while a high pressure indicates a pressure side restriction. I usually see a few small bubbles kicking around mine and I ignore them and they eventually disappear. I remember you have solar panels on your roof so have you tried bypassing them? Also what size pump did you replace?
Al

[mbar]

We replaced a 1hp pump with this 3/4hp tristar - it says it is supposed to be rated the same as a 1hp. My husband picked it out. The pressure coming out of the returns is strong - just as strong as ever, and the pump pressure gauge measures 22, which is what it usually was. We do have the solar panels, and they are bypassed. When they are on, the pressure doesn't raise much - maybe by 2psi. We had to replace the pump (which was only 2 years old), because it must have gotten water in it and the whole inside was corroded. The pump we had before that was a 3/4hp. My husband is sure that the basket in the pump is not letting the air bubble out, because when he basket is out it almost disappears. The basket is a thick one with small holes, which he says is not letting the air disintegrate. I am not so sure . It seems to be cleaning the water, but the water is not crystal clear yet. Could it be the filter? I did have a lot of algae, and after that was killed put in metal out (which can cause cloudiness), but we replaced the pump on Thursday, and although the water is much clearer, it isn't right yet. I was searching on the forum, and I saw a trick to use shaving cream on the intake of the pump. I think I will try this, to ease my mind I know that my husband is an electrical engineer, and knows more about this stuff, but I still don't like the big bubble in the basket - I could live with some small ones, but this is a lot of air Thanks Al for your quick reply

[Poconos]

Marie,
From what you say I think I would just live with it if everything else looks normal. The reason removing the basket makes the bubble disappear is probably the flow pattern inside the basket chamber changes and the air is able to escape with the flow of water. If you're not seeing bubbles at the return jets then no new air is leaking in and that bubble is just the initial air that got trapped and isn't making it to the impeller. You may try switching the filter valve to recirculate for a couple minutes to reduce the pressure and increase the flow a little and see if that lets it escape. Otherwise....don't look at it. I can always make a service call next trip south too.

Al

[mbar]

Ha Ha, I won't look at it , I guess great minds think alike, cause that is exactly what my husband said . The pool is looking really good now too, so I feel better about it. Anytime you are passing by, I will give you food for you to take a look at the pump . Thanks for your response. I will now be able to enjoy the pool