F-1031, Section 2449
Page 13 of 18
Pump
Problem
Possible Cause
Recommended Action
Pump fails to prime or loses
prime
Air leaks
Clean and tighten all Intake connections. Make sure intake hoses
and gaskets are in good condition.
Use the following procedure to locate air leaks:
1. Connect Intake hose to pump and attach intake cap to end of
hose.
2. Close all pump openings.
3. Open priming valve and operate primer until vacuum gauge
indicates 22 in. Hg/.735 atmospheres. (If primer fails to draw
specified vacuum, it may be defective, or leaks are too large
for primer to handle.)
4. Close priming valve and shut off primer. If vacuum drops
more than 10 in. Hg/.334 atmospheres in 5 minutes,
serious air leaks are indicated. With engine stopped, air leaks
are frequently audible. If leaks cannot be heard,
apply engine oil to suspected points and watch for break in
film or oil being drawn into pump.
1. Completely fill water tank (if so equipped).
2. Connect intake hose to hydrant or auxiliary pump.
3. Open one discharge valve and run in water until pump is
completely filled and all air is expelled.
4. Close discharge valve, apply pressure to system and watch
for leaks or overflowing water tank. A pressure of 100 PSI is
sufficient.
DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMENDED PRESSURE.
1. If pump has not been operated for several weeks, packing
may be dried out.
2. Close discharge and drain valves and cap intake openings.
3. Operate primer to build up a strong vacuum in pump.
4. Run pump slowly and apply oil to impeller shaft near
packing gland.
5. Make sure packing is adjusted properly.
Dirt or Intake strainer
Remove all leaves, dirt and other foreign material from Intake
strainer.
When drafting from shallow water source with mud, sand or
gravel bottom, protect intake strainer in one of the following ways:
1. Suspend Intake strainer from a log or other floating object to
keep it off the bottom. Anchor float to prevent it from drifting
into shallow water.
2. Remove top from a clean barrel. Sink barrel so open end is
below water surface. Place intake strainer inside barrel.
3. Make an intake box, using fine mesh screen. Suspend
intake strainer inside box.
No oil in priming tank
With rotary primer, oil is required to maintain a tight rotor seal.
Check priming tank oil supply and replenish, if necessary.
Troubleshooting Guide
