Q: I have a Jacuzzi Tri-Clops filter for my in-ground pool. The pressure guage has a crack in it & doesn't work, which I will be replacing, but I also have to bleed a significant amount of air out of the valve every time the pump runs. I'm assuming that the 20" O-Ring needs to be replaced.
Before I place my order, I just want to make sure there aren't any other parts I might need (ie. would I need to replace any other O-rings). Any suggestions would be helpful.
A: Air is produced in the filter one of two ways. If you air appears after the pump shuts down, the water is draining back into the pool, this will normally only happen if you have a leak somewhere. If you air appears while the pump is running then either your pump is sucking in air while it runs or is cavitating producing the air itself.
Which seems to apply to you?
Q: It seems like air is getting in there after the pump shuts down because once it's on and I bleed the air, it seems fine. The pump runs every night and if I don't check it daily, there is A LOT of air that needs to be bled (I have to keep it open for several minutes before water comes out of the bleed valve).
I have noticed also, that the ring-Lok that keeps the top and bottom together gets loose once in a while (which is why I thought I needed a new
O-ring) but maybe that's not even related to the air issue?
So if it is a leak, I'm assuming that's a job for a pro?
A: IF you have a leak then you should generally see it while the equipment is running. The water only stays in your pool equipment because it is like putting your finger over a straw to hold the water in. Once you have a leak the water runs back down. A good experiment might be to bleed the air and leave the system running then come back in an hour or two and try an bleed it again. If the air has returned with the pump running, then you probably have a suction side leak. If it does not return with the pump running then you have a pressure side leak.
Q: Awesome, thank you. I haven't seen any water leaking on or around the pump or filter (unless, of course it's underground somewhere I guess).
The pump does act a little "quirky" sometimes like it's not pumping the water through. I sometimes even have to take the cover off of the strainer housing and fill it with water like I do when I clean the strainer basket out.
I will definitely try what you suggested about bleeding it, letting it
run and bleeding it again.
A:One of the things that can happen to make the pump empty of water an be caused by the filter.
If you have a bunch of air in the top of the filter that is pressurized by the pump it will compress. So imagine you now have a large pocket of compressed air at the top of your filter.
When you release the pressure by turning off the pump, this air will expand very rapidly and can shove all the water out of the pump, etc. In extreme cases they can move the water far enough to blow the lids off the skimmers.
If you do have a suction leak you may want to review our flow problems section at the link below:
