Pump Problems? Find the Causes and Appropriate Countermeasures
Pump Problems, Causes, and Appropriate Countermeasures
Pump problems can occur for various reasons, including air leakage, clogged piping or impellers, and issues with bearings or other components.
Identifying the possible cause is an important step in determining the appropriate countermeasure. Below are some common pump problems, their possible causes, and appropriate countermeasures.
1. Pump Does Not Fill With Water
Cause:
Air suction from gland.
Countermeasure:
Replace or tighten gland packing. Increase amount of gland sealing water.
Cause:
Air suction from discharge valve.
Countermeasure:
Tighten discharge valve.
Cause:
Vacuum pump failure.
Countermeasure:
Repair or replace vacuum pump.
Cause:
Air intake solenoid valve failure.
Countermeasure:
Repair or replace solenoid valve.
2. Pump Does Not Start
Cause:
Necessary start conditions not being met.
Countermeasure:
Check all conditions.
Cause:
A protection mechanism is activated.
Countermeasure:
Check all protection mechanisms.
Cause:
Motor failure.
Countermeasure:
Repair motor. Refer to motor/engine section.
3. Water Not Pumped
Cause:
Pump or suction pipe not filled.
Countermeasure:
Reprime. Confirm that air is not leaking in from pump gland or suction pipe coupler.
Cause:
A suction/discharge valve closed.
Countermeasure:
Open fully.
Cause:
Strainer or suction pipe clogged.
Countermeasure:
Remove clog.
Cause:
Foreign material clogging impeller.
Countermeasure:
Remove foreign materials.
Cause:
Reversed rotation direction.
Countermeasure:
Correct motor wiring.
4. Lack of Specified Capacity
Cause:
Air has leaked in.
Countermeasure:
Confirm that air is not leaking in from pump gland or suction pipe coupler.
Cause:
Excessive water level drop.
Countermeasure:
Lengthen suction pipe and increase water level.
Cause:
Foreign material clogging impeller.
Countermeasure:
Remove foreign materials.
Cause:
Excessive liner ring wear.
Countermeasure:
Manufacturer repair.
5. Initially, Water Is Pumped, but Soon Stops
Cause:
Pump or suction pipe not filled.
Countermeasure:
Reprime.
Cause:
Air has leaked in.
Countermeasure:
Check intake pipe flange. Add sealing water to pump gland packing.
6. Overload
Cause:
Excessive revolution speed.
Countermeasure:
Adjust motor to specified speed.
Cause:
Operation outside specified water or pump head limits.
Countermeasure:
Adjust discharge valve.
Cause:
Contact between rotor and casing.
Countermeasure:
Manufacturer repair.
Cause:
Mixture with mud or other foreign materials.
Countermeasure:
Clean intake pit. Take preventative countermeasures against entrance of foreign materials.
7. Bearing Overheat
Cause:
Gland packing too tight.
Countermeasure:
Adjust tightness.
Cause:
Excessive grease or lack of oil.
Countermeasure:
Adjust amounts.
Cause:
Deterioration of lubricating oil.
Countermeasure:
Replace lubricating oil.
Cause:
Misalignment of shaft center.
Countermeasure:
Realign shaft.
Cause:
Bearing damage.
Countermeasure:
Repair or replace bearing.
8. Gland Overheat
Cause:
Gland packing too tight.
Countermeasure:
Loosen gland then slowly tighten so water leaks out.
Cause:
Gland packing sealing water pressure excessive. (Packing closes due to pressure.)
Countermeasure:
Lower sealing water pressure.
Cause:
Lack of gland sealing water or cooling water.
Countermeasure:
Increase sealing water pressure.
9. Pump Vibrates
Cause:
Part of impeller clogged.
Countermeasure:
Remove foreign materials.
Cause:
Impeller damaged.
Countermeasure:
Replace impeller.
Cause:
Insufficient amount of discharge water.
Countermeasure:
Use near specified amount of water.
Cause:
Pump and motor shaft misaligned.
Countermeasure:
Realign shaft.
Cause:
Bearing failure.
Countermeasure:
Replace bearing.
Cause:
Mixing of air or cavitation.
Countermeasure:
Adjust suction water level or suction pipe. Use near the specified amount of water.
Need Further Assistance?
Proper inspection and maintenance can help maintain reliable pump performance. If the problem persists after performing the appropriate countermeasure, further inspection may be required.
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