Water softener won't draw brine

Users who are viewing this thread

KAK

New Member
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Minnesota
Discovered water wasn't soft. Here's what I've done. Disconnected brine tube from tank float, it is pulling vacuum. Stuck tube in cup of water, draws fine. Replaced the air check valve tube part on the float valve assembly, thinking that the check ball was stuck. While doing that, discovered that there was a lot of salt mush on the bottom so I emptied the brine tank completely and put in new salt. Still doesn't draw brine.

When the brine draw starts, water does flow properly into the tank for several seconds.

Softener is only a few years old. Fleck 5600SXT valve.

So now what?
 
Last edited:

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,795
Reaction score
4,413
Points
113
Location
IL
When the brine draw starts, water does flow properly into the tank for several seconds.
How can you tell?

I don't know what could cause the flow to be only for a few seconds.

I would clean the injector (two pieces) and the injector screen, but I can't see that causing that limited-time suck.

I would consider putting a tee into the brine line with a combination vacuum+pressure gauge. I have not heard of that being done, but it sure sounds like a good diagnostic. Brine will not be easy longer term on a gauge with metal parts inside.
 

KAK

New Member
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Minnesota
How can you tell?

I don't know what could cause the flow to be only for a few seconds.

I would clean the injector (two pieces) and the injector screen, but I can't see that causing that limited-time suck.

I would consider putting a tee into the brine line with a combination vacuum+pressure gauge. I have not heard of that being done, but it sure sounds like a good diagnostic. Brine will not be easy longer term on a gauge with metal parts inside.

To clarify, I may be wrong, I believe that water flows into the brine tank for several seconds to flush the line of air? Then it draws. I'll go verify that...
 

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,795
Reaction score
4,413
Points
113
Location
IL
To clarify, I may be wrong, I believe that water flows into the brine tank for several seconds to flush the line of air? Then it draws. I'll go verify that...
Not normal. There should not be more than a trivial amount of air in the brine line in normal conditions. Air in the brine line would indicate a leak. But other than dissolved gas coming out (that trivial amount), there should not be air.
 

KAK

New Member
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Minnesota
Water does flow into the brine tank for about 5 seconds, then is switches to suck. I'm guessing that's to avoid an airlock in the tube? Anyway, it's working now. I think when I checked the brine draw this morning, I was too impatient. Now, after about 15 minutes, I could tell the water level had dropped. Thanks!
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks