I received the following e-mail enquiry from Sam in Torrevieja Quote:
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My pressure gauge is only showing 0.2, it is usually 0.5 , I have changed the seals on the top of the filter all the connections and the top of the filter basket. I have tested the gauge on a friend’s pool and it is ok. The jets seem to be as powerful as usual. I am now at a complete loss to figure it out, can you advise?
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Dear Sam – If I answer your e-mail, I will only be helping you. By publishing it here, others may benefit. Please join the forum and let us know how you got on or for further advice.
There are many reasons for lack of pressure in the filtration system. Just placing a hand in front to the jets is no real test. I would suggest that you work through as follows –
1.
The Actual Jets – have an “eyeball” arrangement and there is a ring in the ball that can be knocked out to DECREASE the pressure when setting up the system from scratch.
An easy way to test is to block one jet (assuming that you have two) and see if the pressure increases, in which case you just have to replace the balls with ones that have the ring intact.
2.
Does the pool leak at all? Test for (say) 4 hours with the motor running and 4 with the motor off. If you lose more with it running then you could have a leak in the return line.
Before you start digging up the terraces, check that that your leak is not to waste via a faulty multi-port valve.
If you don’t know how to test for leaks, please ask by posting a reply.
3.
If you have no water loss it could still be the multi-port valve leaking to recirculation.
4.
Are you getting any air into the system? Test this by opening the air bleed valve on the filter after the motor has been running for 1 hour. You should get a water-jet within 5 seconds at the most.
This could be cause by a leak in system ANYWHERE BEFORE THE MOTOR as there is a vacuum here whilst the motor is running which may no show as a leak when the motor is off.
Try shutting down the skimmer and bottom drain in turn and look to see if the pressure rises immediately, if it does the leak is in the line that is closed.
It could be the lid on the leaf-filter next to the pump.
It could be the valves themselves and the gland below the handle is the most likely place. Take the handle off and smear some silicon grease (or Vaseline) around the gland – you should see it get sucked in, with the motor running.
If you have any ancillary equipment (pool heater, salt/chlorine generator, etc) BEFORE THE PUMP try isolating them and, if the pressure rises, the leak is there.
If you cannot locate an obvious leak in the vacuum line, just hope that it is within the pump-house and review everything -
Change all of the O-rings, lubricate with silicon grease and re-tighten all joints.
Get everything absolutely dry and paint both sides of every joint on the vacuum side with PVC cement, whilst the motor is running – this sucks the cement into the joint.
5.
Is your impellor blocked? Before you test this isolate the pump completely so that it cannot possibly start. With some pumps you can get fingers into the impellor casing via the leaf-filter. If it is out or reach, try poking around with a wire coat hanger. If you cannot clear it you will have to dismantle the pump.
There could be other reasons for the lack of pressure. Let me know how you get on with this lot and I’ll think again.
Best of luck! If you resolve the problem, please let us know how.
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Swimming Pool Filter Pressure Problems 
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