Sandpoint well with jet pump primes initially then loses prime

[tk3]

I have a Sandpoint well with a jet pump. Well is about 29ft down and water comes up to about 12 ft. The screen was clogged and we unclogged with nuwell tablets and compressed air. Confident it is clear now as when we pour water down it isn't overflowing any more. I can get the pump to prime initially, but after it fills the tank and the pump kicks on again it'll lose prime. I've replaced the pump, the jets which have a check valve integrated, I've connected to a new smaller tank that we had as I was fairly certain the 30 year old tank is waterlogged.

Only thing I can think is that maybe I'm pulling water out of our well faster then it can replenish? And that is getting air into the line? The last couple times I've tried I did notice a different "rushing" noise coming from the jet ejector just before the pump pressure trips around 45psi.

Any thoughts? The old pump ran for 30ish years without issue and started having trouble this spring. Been banging my head against the wall trying to figure out where the air is coming from.

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[WorthFlorida]

The water table could be getting sucked down pass the inlet as you suggest. How far down is the point? Are you certain the pipe from the jet to the point is solid?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[tk3]

The water table could be getting sucked down pass the inlet as you suggest. How far down is the point? Are you certain the pipe from the jet to the point is solid?

I dropped a nut tied to a string down to measure and it is about 29ft. Water in the pipe is about 12ft down. So on my system there is a nut on top of the point and just before my jet there is a 1ft long vertical pipe with a cap. I prime the line by removing the nut on top of the point and removing the cap on the vertical pipe and pour water down the point until I get water coming out the vertical pipe. I cap it and have my wife who is pouring the water insert the nut on the point. Whenever I open up the nut on top of the well pipe or the cap, regardless of how long it's been (5 min or 1 week) there is always a clear vacuum seal being broken. So this makes me think that there are not holes between the point and the jet pump.

 

[Valveman]

Try restricting the output of the pump with a ball valve. If the pump is pumping faster than water can be supplied, it will cause cavitation and air will come out of the water. Probably should just drive a new sand point in as it is not just the screen that becomes clogged but the formation around the point as well.