I have a STA-Rite u27-751 indoor/outdoor 1/2 hp water pump. The day started with loss of water pressure. I re-primed it. It was ok for about 30 min. then we lost it again. I re-primed it again. I noticed that the psi wasn't getting any higher then 40 psi. After about 4 times of re-priming it I lost it and have not regained the pressure yet. I have done eveything I know how to do and nothing seems to work. It seems like it wants to start sucking but falls back to 0psi quickly. I'm getting frustrated and don't know what to do.

 

Hi Coach35,
- Could be a number of things involved here. Please post back info;
1 How far is pump from well, one or two tube.
2 how deep is well, what level of water now.
3 Is there a shutoff valve betwen pump and tank.
4 where is pressure switch
5 How exactly do you prime pump, do you tape plug .
Post back asap, I will watch over the next hour or two, also first thing in am.

Do it Right - Do it once.

 

1. The pump is not all that far from the well. The pipe elbows out of the pump and goes straight down approx. 10 ft. elbows and goes out away from the house 4 to 6 ft. elbows and goes straight down again into the water.

2. Really don't know - looks to be 30 to 40 ft until I see water. To tell how deep it is - I can't say that either, today (2/9) was the first time I ever looked into the actual well.

3.no shut off valve between the pump and tank. The apperatus is set up with a tank on the bottom, then the motor in the middle, then what looks to be an air tank on top.

4. I don't know exactly what your refering to by saying "pressure switch?" there is air valve (much like what comes out of a bicycle tube, only metal) in the back of the air tank on top. The guage sits on toop of the pump mechanism. Other then that I don't see anything that might be a "pressure switch"

5. several different ways. I sometimes cut it off and fill the suction tube. If water comes out when I take the plug out, I'll turn it on and pour water into the hole and most of the time once the plug is back in it'll catch up.

I did put teflon tape on the plug this afternoon to see if air was eaking in from the plug. Didn't work.

I sure do appreciate your help. Thanks

 

Hi Coach,
- this is an unusual set-up to say the least. My guess is the tank the pump is sitting on is an old and (hopefully) by-passed tank, kept only as a convenient pump mounting. You need a good bladder tank for the system to work properly in this arrangement. Check the air pressure at the nipple like a bicycle tube. It sould be AT LEAST 20psi, preferably 27-28. Next find a suitable plug at the highest point on the pump to prime it. Use this one ONLY. Now make sure every joint between the pump and well is absolutely airtight. If any pipes /joints have been taken apart to prime, it is essential to re-tape and put joint compound on before tightening them up . All have to be airtight. It's often VERY difficult to get a jetpump going without a ballvalve between pump and tank. If you can fit one here it will save a lot of frustration. Now prime the pump till water stays at the top. If it drains away there is a leak in the pumpline. Put the plug on only 2-3 turns, now start it and tighten down fully as the air bubbles out. If you have the ballvalve on, crack it slowly open now, and the pump will build pressure. If you don't have the ballvalve, or don't have all the air out you will have to repeat this till the pump builds pressure.

Do it Right - Do it once

 

In investigating today the whole set up. I had a feeling that somehow, somewhere there was air sepage. I finally found it. An old copper line used under the bathroom was leaking and had been for a while. Once replaced the pump primed immediatly and things now seem to be working better than before. Thanks for the help.

Coach

 

Hi Coach,
- I'm glad you got it going. -I would still check for other leaks if I was you, this sounds like more than that would cause.

Do it Right - Do it once.