water pump help needed

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Old Roy

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

Just noticed the water pump is starting up too much, been doing it for awhile. I thought someone was taking a shower or something...I just noticed it and wife said it was doing it this morning.

Pump gauge is 80# I have it set there for shut off.
Doesn't change or drop any ,but pump keeps starting at about 5 second intervals, runs for about 4 seconds. Any Ideas ? Tank Bad ?

Shallow well 65' with bladder tank that shows signs of moisture from midway down.

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

sounds like a leak, shut off the breaker don"t use any water and see if it holds 80 psi. your leak could bee outside or in the well also.

 

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howdy1960

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

Our non-bladder tank need air was water locked at this house, growing up was footvalve and another time was pressure switch needed replaced. good luck.

 

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ray hofstetter

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

Bladder in tank not holding pressure. Put a little air in the air valve, and it'll change the cycling. New tank needed.....

 

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rrlund

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

Could be as simple as a check valve.

 

D

DH in Carolina

Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

Bad check valve in pump or water leak in line. Pump pumps up to pressure than cuts off. Water runs back into well and starts pump again. DH

 

OP

OP

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Old Roy

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

that didn't work. I have a valve the shuts of the water directly after the pump to the tank.
I turned it off after trying to put air in the tank and it went nuts cycling.

My Guess now may be What rrlund , and DH is saying.

 

OP

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Old Roy

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

you and rrlund, could be correct. I don't know how to check it though My guess is to just replace it.

I don't know if I have an internal check valve or not in the pump itself the only thing I see is what appears to be some sort of check valve between the outlet on tank to my softener after a"T"

If not then I have a bigger problem It may be a foot valve...this 1 1/2" plastic goes outside into an 8" pipe close almost too close to a porch and house (10" from porch and 6' away from house) to get easy access to it.

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

well that tells me you have a leak in your waterline between the footvalve and tank. How bout giveing us more info, pump in the well or in the basement?

 

V

VicS

Well-known Member

Location

SE Il.

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

I would try another check valve right before the pump. Then if it loses prime it will have a leak in the line. I doubt it probably is the foot valve, has something in it. If it does a check valve will fix it.

 

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ray hofstetter

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

Guys, think about it - Roy closed the valve AFTER the pump and BEFORE the pressure tank and it went nuts cycling, "deadheaded" the pump. What tells the pump to start and stop- pressure switch/tank. Leaking lines, check valves and foot valves were taken out of the equation. Roy, try some air in the bladder tank and DON'T close the valve.

 

L

Lesformore

Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

It sure sounds like your tank is water logged,meaning there is no air in the tank. Water absorbs air and if its a bladder type tank and the bladder has a leak, water gets to the top of the bladder and slowly absorbs all the air. Pump air into the tank when the pump is manually turned off. Open a faucet to let water out while your pumping air. If this does not solve your problem, my second guess is a bad pressure switch.

 

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Old Roy

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

I think I may have crushed this theory I did check airspace for solidity by tapping it with a screwdriver...rings like an empty propane tank telling it is hollow or had air. I did add some but no change in actions .

I tap lower on the tank and it sound like a thud as it is full of water at that level.

I'm leaning on maybe dirt and rust build up in pressure switch to the pump and giving me false reading. and a single line goes through the wall must have the only check valve in the well.

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

You don't lose pressure therefore it can't be the foot valve, my original guess was the small pinhole, to the diaphragm servicing the adjustment switches, is partially blocked.

HERE IS YOUR SOLUTION.

inspectapedia.com/water/WaterPumpAdjust.htm

 

M

Mike in Mn.

Member

• Sep 9, 2012

• #1

If you don't loose pressure, then your check valve is good and you do not have a leak, Open a faucet and if your pump cycles continuously then it is most likely your bladder tank, bladder is broken and tank is water logged, water will not compress, just air, if there isn't any, start and stop, start and stop, etc. Have to replace mine every 7 or 8 years it seems. Seems I have read to have the same air pressure in the tank as the pressure setting that the pump shuts off at. 80 psi seems a little high, I have never seen one higher than 60.

 

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Old Roy

Well-known Member

• Sep 10, 2012

• #1

Thanks for the link! I see other items too of interest copied and book marked .

 

C

cannonball

Member

• Sep 10, 2012

• #1

make sure pressure switch has nothing broken inside or hole to switch is not restricted

 

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RodinNS

Well-known Member

• Sep 10, 2012

• #1

Sounds like a water logged tank and probably a broken gauge... That's the usual reason for a steady cycling pump anyway.

Rod

 

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Russ from MN

Well-known Member

Location

Bemidji MN

• Sep 10, 2012

• #1

Let us know the solution, I am full of advice, but others have already given it too you. Trouble shoot, don't just replace parts, that is called shotgun maintenance!