How to troubleshoot brine line drawing air

[rural_engineer]

I have a 2 Cu. Ft. softener with a Fleck 5810XTR2. I've noted that the brine line seems to be drawing air once the brine tank empties during the draw cycle. From reading elsewhere this sounds like a check valve issue or brine line leak. I've seen suggestions for how to troubleshoot, but I'm not clear on how to do it with my brine tank setup. Can I get some pointers?

 

[ditttohead]

Take the brine line fitting at the valve apart and make sure the Jaco fitting is assembled correctly. Remove the brine line from the Legris fitting in the brine tank, cut the tube short 1" and reinsert into the brine safety float assembly.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[rural_engineer]

The Legris fitting was easy to cut and reconnect. I'm a little more concerned about the Jaco fitting. Does it look correct? I'm concerned that the compression marks all seem to be past the tube support, and the tube support appears to be corroding.

 

[ditttohead]

Jaco fitting is installed correctly. I would remove the tube insert, cut the tube back an inch and reinsert and tighten it.

 

[rural_engineer]

Okay, I've cut and reassembled both ends of the tube. I've got a while before the system needs to regenerate, so I'll get back to this in a few days.

 

[Bannerman]

If you wish to verify without waiting days for an automatic regeneration cycle, simply perform a manual regeneration cycle to suit your availability.

 

[ditttohead]

To test brine line integrity simply put the system in refill and lift up the safety float in the brine tank. This will pressure test everything except for the parts after the float.

 

[rural_engineer]

I haven't had much time to deal with this, but last night I woke up during the brine draw cycle, and saw that it's still pulling air after redoing the tubing ends. It appears that air is getting pulled up into the tube from the brine tank, so the leak is not at the water softener end. Should I suspect a malfunctioning air check valve?

 

[Reach4]

I haven't had much time to deal with this, but last night I woke up during the brine draw cycle, and saw that it's still pulling air after redoing the tubing ends. It appears that air is getting pulled up into the tube from the brine tank, so the leak is not at the water softener end. Should I suspect a malfunctioning air check valve?

Yes. If the air is only being drawn after the brine is gone, definately.

 

[ditttohead]

Usually a piece of string from a salt bag... remove the brine valve assembly, clean with a garden hose and reassemble.