Chapter 7: Troubleshooting & Repairs
•
If the air exhausts to the atmosphere (outside the well) and a vacuum is drawn on the well, the pump may fail
to fill. In order for the pump to fill under these conditions, the pump must be submerged to make up for the
pressure difference between the atmosphere and the partial vacuum in the well.
•
•
If debris, scale or a very viscous fluid has accumulated inside the pump, the float may not move freely up and
down, or the control rod may not slide easily through the float.
•
•
Grasp the center of the lever with thumb and forefinger. Rotate the lever to horizontal.
•
•
6. Lever Pivot Wear
4. Fluid Inlet Clogged
If the fluid inlet screen is clogged with debris water cannot enter the pump.
7. Debris in Air Inlet Valve
(
First check #6-Lever Pivot Wear
)
•
Open the pump. Hold the pump vertically and pour water into the discharge check valve. If water flows through,
clean the valve.
•
Remove the valve and use emery cloth or a very fine sand paper to polish the surface where the ball seats.
•
If the pump is a Bottom-Loading design, inspect the seat of the bottom check valve for debris and wear. Clean
or replace if necessary.
•
If the pump is a Top-Loading design, remove the fluid inlet check valve and inspect the seating surface and the
ball for debris and wear.
8. Fluid Check Valves
Revision 3 - December, 2013
Revision 3 - December, 2013
The pressure difference, expressed as feet
(cm)
of water column (FT. W. C.), is the distance the fluid must be
above the pump before it can fill.
Clean the float, control rod, and the casing. (
See Chapter
6
for cleaning instructions
).
•
Replace the levers if the pivot hole is worn
•
Push up and down, toward and away from the head. Confirm that there is less than 1/32 inch
(0.76mm)
of
m
ovement.
5.
Debris, Scale, or very Viscous Fluid
Open the pump. Connect the air supply. Pull the control rod
down. Listen to determine if air leaks through. If air still leaks
through the valve with the control rod down, the air tubing must
be removed to access the valve inlet to check for debris in the
valve. Clean the valve by blowing air or water through it from
both ends.
Push the rod upwards. If little or no air passes through, remove
the tubing to access the valve inlet. Blow air through the valve
from the poppet side to clear debris from the ball and seat.
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