jet pump sucking air

[JamesJose]

Terry
My jet pump pumps water but is sucking air. Causes pressure to drop to nil in shower, blast air then come up to pressure and repeats cycle. Plumbers have been in twice. Previously fixed by changing pressure tank. As soon as it got cold and I turned on heat line debris came thru system and air is back. Foot valve has 5 micron sock on it so it couldn't pick up debris from river. I understand that heat line could expand a micro crack or intake joints but all have been checked. Previously they did a pressure test and on intake line and that proved to be OK. Can't afford any more expensive plumbers. Frustrated.

 

[Smooky]

Air spurts from faucets
1)Pump is sucking air....
Your suction pipe may have small leaks at joints, etc. where air can be pulled in. Entire length of suction pipe and all fittings must be completely air tight. (One test method is to use plastic cling wrap and wrap every joint to temporarily seal air leaks. If pump is then able to come to pressure, you have covered the leak and now must find which joint it is.)
2)Water level in well drops too low....
Make sure bottom of suction pipe is below maximum depth that pump is capable of and/or deepest level that water is dropping to during operation..
3)Recently changed from air-over-water standard pressure tank to bladder-style tank...
Pump and piping is still equipped with air volume controls and/or bleeder valves. Remove those items.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Valveman]

In addition to the good answers by Smooky, the water level could be lower than the pump can lift, or the suction line could have some blockage. Either of these things will cause the pump to pull air out of the water (cavitation) and cause air in the supply.

 

[Reach4]

What is the height of the river compared to the height of the top of the pump?

You might consider switching to a 1/2 HP submersible pump.