Constant air in lines when using pump

[TheBobster]

My water pump runs normally but faucets continually spits air and pump does not shut off.

I filled the lines and water heater with city water. Then I disconnect the city water and run the pump. It spits a lot of air and the longer the pump runs, less water and more air comes out.

The fresh water tank is full. The water heater is filled. The valves to and from the water heater are open and the bypass is closed. There are no leaks in the lines to faucets. All faucets are turned off.

The lines, valves and water filter in the pump compartment are all okay. The line from the fresh water tank looks fine at the pump end. I have not yet found how to check the tank end of that line.

I’ve run out of ideas on how to correct this. It could be the pump, diaphragm or something like that but it looks and sounds good.

[5picker]

Check the clear suction/strainer on the tank side of the pump if you have one.
I've seen the bowl come loose and I've seen them 'unthread" (vibration) from the pump enough to suck air.

Also check to be sure your 'winterizing' valve is completely turned so that it draws from the fresh tank and not the antifreeze port (if so equipped)

We've had reports of those valves failing and sucking air too.

[Ted1953]

Check your low point drains. Sounds like maybe one or both might be open

[Kimber45]

how long have you ran the pump? after dewinterizing I bet mine ran for 4 or 5 minutes before removing all the air from all the lines.

[TheBobster]

Yeah, thanks. Realizing that, I filled the system first with city water & then ran the pump for a l-o-n-g time.

[TheBobster]

FOUND THE PROBLEM!!!

Thanks to 5picker, I checked the clear suction/strainer and the bottom side of the clear cup along with the screen tube came out in my hand! Then I unscrewed the base of the cup and it was loose. Gremlins again! Drats!

I’ve successfully glued the cup back together and will order a replacement.

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by TheBobster

FOUND THE PROBLEM!!!

Thanks to 5picker, I checked the clear suction/strainer and the bottom side of the clear cup along with the screen tube came out in my hand! Then I unscrewed the base of the cup and it was loose. Gremlins again! Drats!

I’ve successfully glued the cup back together and will order a replacement.

Sounds like it might of froze.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by garbonz

Sounds like it might of froze.

One more reason to blow sys out when winterizing !!!

[pmsherman]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

One more reason to blow sys out when winterizing !!!

That filter is in in one of the few locations where blowing out the system shouldn't remove the water in it. The strainer filter is usually located just before the water pump, between the fresh water tank and the pump. Using compressed air to blow out the system from the city water (hookup) port clears water starting after the pump. Water will be left in the strainer filter and the pump when doing this.

When I winterize with compressed air, I always use antifreeze to protect the strainer and pump from freezing. I remove the water filter and, to protect this area of the water system, run in antifreeze from the winterizing port, using the pump, until I see pink stuff entering the filter housing. I've been doing this for six years and have never had any water problems caused by freezing.

Phil

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by pmsherman

That filter is in in one of the few locations where blowing out the system shouldn't remove the water in it. The strainer filter is usually located just before the water pump, between the fresh water tank and the pump. Using compressed air to blow out the system from the city water (hookup) port clears water starting after the pump. Water will be left in the strainer filter and the pump when doing this.

When I winterize with compressed air, I always use antifreeze to protect the strainer and pump from freezing. I remove the water filter and, to protect this area of the water system, run in antifreeze from the winterizing port, using the pump, until I see pink stuff entering the filter housing. I've been doing this for six years and have never had any water problems caused by freezing.

Phil

Right On !!!