You run your pump at 100% and tilt the case in all directions. Then you leave one of the caps open on the resevoir to let the air escape. That's it.
Entrained air or gas/vapor can have a detrimental effect on the suction performance of a pump. Air or gas will expand in the inlet of the impeller, which blocks the liquid flow through the impeller, much like the blockage from cavitation vapor bubbles, both of which cause a decay in the pump discharge pressure.
- Cavitation: Occurs when the pump can't fill the impeller with liquid, causing air bubbles to form. This can lead to vibrations, noise, and damage to the pump's internal components over time. - Overheating: Trapped air reduces the pump's ability to cool itself, potentially causing overheating and further damage.
Without proper priming, your water pump's motor will still run, but you'll notice low water pressure, or no fluid delivery at all.
In comparison to a standard centrifugal pump, what's notable in the design of a self-priming centrifugal pump is that it features a liquid reservoir built into the body of the pump, typically either above or in front of the impeller.
If the water pump is running but no fluid is being pumped this could be blocked inlet suction filter, check valves failed with pumps bypassing, blocked discharge lines, electric motor polarity is incorrect or incorrect pressure settings parameters amongst other issues.
Remove the drive belts that are attached to the water pump. Loosen the water pump from its mounts and remove the engine pulley fans. Disconnect all the hoses that are attached to the water pump. Loosen all the screws and bolts that are holding the pump in place and remove the pump [source: Schappell].
One way to solve the problem of airlock in a water pump is to bait the pump with water. Take a container filled with water and connect the suction hose directly to the container. Turn on the pump and let the water run for a few minutes. This process will help remove air from the pump system and replace it with water.
Fill Slowly. Filling a pump system slowly helps remove airlocks by allowing trapped air to escape gradually. To do this, open the fill valve slightly and let water flow in steadily. As the system fills, listen for gurgling sounds indicating air release.
In positive displacement pumps failure to initially prime leads to a mixture of air and liquid entering the pump which could cause cavitation, a phenomenon where vapor bubbles form and expand on the suction side of the pump.
Turn the power on
If you opened any relief valves, wait until water begins to run from them before closing them again. If the pump turns off naturally, it's primed. If not, you may need to repeat the process.
There are several reasons your self-priming pump may not be working, these include: There is an air leak in the suction line: While the fluid is recirculating in the pump, it forces air out of the discharge as it is trying to create an area of low pressure.
While these sounds can be scary and seem like serious issues, the cause is usually quite benign. Most often, a loud sound coming from your pipes is caused by trapped air. By turning off your main water supply and running all faucets for 10-15 minutes, you force any trapped air through your water pipes.