Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Sir Squeaky on April 28, 2008, 03:06:32 pm

Title: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 28, 2008, 03:06:32 pm
I seem to have developed an annoying problem with my pump.

I can't get more than a trickle even when the tap is wide open.
It used to blast out 10ft if I wanted it to.

It's not a connection.
It's not an airlock.
The pump is whizzing along.

I just can't get much pressure. ???

I gave the pump a whack and it flowed a bit faster for a while, but it's slowed down to a trickle again.
The pump didn't sound any different though.

Any ideas?

Oh, and it's a 60psi Flojet.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 28, 2008, 04:40:25 pm
Air or a strangled inner hose core.

Failing that a weak pump
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 28, 2008, 04:41:55 pm
put a short length of hose on the pump outlet and suck it while switching on the pump.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 28, 2008, 04:49:01 pm
put a short length of hose on the pump outlet and suck it while switching on the pump.
Cheers Dave, at least someone replied!

I've done that actually, and Ian did it today too.
It helped for a few minutes, but it dropped soon after.

Thing is, like I said, the pump sounds fine, it's not slow or labouring.
It's whizzing along. ???
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 28, 2008, 04:52:34 pm
Try it with ians hose reel
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: steve m on April 28, 2008, 05:05:01 pm
theres not a small hole in the diagphramis there?. Not too clued up on the insides of the pump but if theres a diaphragm
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: d s windowcleaning on April 28, 2008, 05:11:24 pm
take the bottom of the pump off i think its 4 screws and see if youve got a blockage , when you remove the bottom you will see a rubber seal remove that and you will see if theres any crap inside , allso are you using a strainer as the meshing in the strainer can clog up and cause what you describe , you could allso turn the pressure of the pump up and see if that helps the screw to turn the pressure up is located in the little black box at the bottom of the pump , i think clockwise turning will increase the pressure but just do it half of turn if none of them work for you then i dont no what to suggest mate .
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 28, 2008, 05:19:08 pm
Cheers guys, I'll take it apart and look then.

I have got an inline filter, but I cleaned the gauze out in that the other day.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Tosh on April 28, 2008, 05:29:06 pm
Try it with ians hose reel

Squeaks,

I reckon this is a good idea.  It's just a bit of basic fault finding, but I guess the problem could be in your hose?
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: frames to panes on April 28, 2008, 05:33:49 pm
Don't suppose the jets on your brush are blocked? Try it with no hose reel just a foot of hose from the pump and see if it delivers maybe?
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: mick hay on April 28, 2008, 05:44:43 pm
I had this for ages, and just couldnt figure it out, til i changed my hozelock fitting on my hose reel, now its like a new pump!!
 Just try changing them 1 at a time, from the tank thro to the hose reel, each 1 in turn, they sometimes stick!!
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 28, 2008, 05:47:17 pm
Try it with ians hose reel

Squeaks,

I reckon this is a good idea.  It's just a bit of basic fault finding, but I guess the problem could be in your hose?
No, there's quite a slow flow when it's just the 2ft piece of hose from the pump outlet.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 28, 2008, 05:48:05 pm
Cheers Mick, I'll check that too. ;)
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: nat on April 28, 2008, 06:06:42 pm
Cheers Mick, I'll check that too. ;)
I've had that on one of my reels before squeaky, its like its half on or leaking air or summat? if you push it on hard the flow may increase then pop off again when you let go.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: frames to panes on April 28, 2008, 06:20:20 pm
How about a blocked vent in the tank lid? Looks like you may need to borrow a pump from someone to rule that out too?
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: NWH on April 28, 2008, 07:08:28 pm
Have you tried running it just out of the hose that connects to the hosereel.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 28, 2008, 07:40:11 pm
Have you tried running it just out of the hose that connects to the hosereel.
Yes, that's what I meant.

It's not pumping out of there as fast as it should (or so it seems) ???
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: NWH on April 28, 2008, 07:43:20 pm
Should have got Ian to try his pump on it.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: fullers cleaners on April 28, 2008, 07:49:28 pm
i had a problem with flow, and found it was my pole in the end,
the hose was being pinched when top section was not extended  try checking using another :-\
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: matt on April 28, 2008, 07:56:59 pm
connect a bit of hose from a tap to the OUTPUT of the pump

turn the tap on SLOWLEY and not too high

then try it, if no joy, turn the tap up a little more

worth a punt
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 29, 2008, 01:24:54 pm
Grrrr!!!! >:(

It was ok for the first 2 hours today, then it slowed to a trickle again.

I took hose off reel connection and sucked the water through.
Then it spluttered for a moment and started to flow ok again.

Worked for 2 houses, then slowed to a trickle again. >:(

Must keep filling itself with air or something... ???
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: MartinB on April 29, 2008, 01:53:08 pm
How old is the pump?

Sounds to me like the carbon brushes may be wearing in the motor.

You may be able to get a replacement end bell kit from a Flojet supplier if this is the case.

Martin
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: *foxman on April 29, 2008, 02:48:49 pm
The inline filter maybe letting in air. If possible try it with out the filter and see how it fares.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: dai on April 29, 2008, 07:06:21 pm
Yes that inline filter was letting air into my system too. I did away with it. I now use a stainless steel tube going into the container, this has it's own filter stuck in the end of it. No problem after this. Dai
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 29, 2008, 07:09:48 pm
Cheers, another good idea.
I'll have a look. :)
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 29, 2008, 07:13:09 pm
I got rid of all my hoselock fitttings on the inlet side, so now my tank outlet has jubilee clips straight over hose and sureflo connectors on the pump.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 29, 2008, 07:17:47 pm
here
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: dai on April 29, 2008, 07:20:09 pm
Dave, don't you risk getting crap from the tank blocking the pump?DAI
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 29, 2008, 07:22:45 pm
Dai

Forgot to mention , I have filters fitted , but they are screw on type rather than hoselock , will take some pics tommorrow
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 29, 2008, 07:50:56 pm
Mine's all connected like that anyway Dave.

The only hoselock fitting is the one to the reel, and the problem is before that.
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on May 02, 2008, 04:02:52 pm
Well, after a complete strip down and finding no leaks or blockages I phoned Alex Gardiner.

His assessment is a damaged diaphragm.
Sounds right, as that would cause a drop in pressure, and also be the reason why my pump isn't shutting off, as it never reaches pressure. :-\

Trouble is, it's bank holiday weekend. :(
God knows how you fit it too. ???

Anyone want a wfp system? ;D
Title: Re: Pump lacking flow.
Post by: Pj on May 02, 2008, 05:26:02 pm
No thanks mate they're more trouble than they're worth!

I'll have your van though!