Well pump only 20PSI

[Aaron1995]

I have an above ground well pump and pressure tank. about a week ago, I noticed a few leaks in the crawl space near the pump. I replaced the joints/pipes that were leaking and found out my pressure tank needed replacing. It had corrosion and hunks of metal inside of it. So I replaced the pressure tank, and the piping going into the pump(only what was in crawl space. Not all the way back to the well) and the old leaky piping near the tank/pump. I noticed the pump was short cycling after that, so I replaced the pressure switch and that fixed it for a few days. Then I noticed the pump would only produce about 30-35 psi. Had no time to fix it so I turned down the pressure switch until I could figure out what the problem was. Now the pump will only put out around 20 psi and stays running constantly. Haven't found anymore leaks. Any ideas what is causing me to not get any pressure? The pump is only a few years old and worked fine a few weeks ago.

 

[Reach4]

Typically this means that you need to run a wire through the nozzle of the venturi. There will be a plug on the pump for the purpose.

For example, 0n page 1o http://www.simerpumps.com/resources/images/328.pdf , item #10 is a plug which you remove to let you poke a wire through the hole in #9. There are 3 plugs labeled as #10. I think it would be the middle of the 3.

How big of a wire? Commonly a piece of coat hanger wire as comes from dry cleaners is suggested. I think those used to be around 12 AWG, but I think they got lightened up to about 14 AWG. Closets used to overflow with those hangers. If your closet lacks such a hanger, and if you go to a place that sells wire by the foot, a foot of 14 AWG solid (copper is good, insulation removed if present) seems like a safe choice. I don't know how big those nozzles actually are.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Craigpump]

Go to a welding shop and get an 1/8" piece of non fluxed brazing rod.

 

[Reach4]

Go to a welding shop and get an 1/8" piece of non fluxed brazing rod.

That is bigger than #10 AWG -- almost #8.

 

[LLigetfa]

...and worked fine a few weeks ago.

You must be single. My wife would never put up without working waterworks for even a day let alone a few weeks.

 

[Aaron1995]

That is bigger than #10 AWG -- almost #8.

Which of these plugs would lead to the Venturi? I ran a coat hanger through the back one and got a little sediment out with it, but water is flowing out of all of the holes when I pull the plugs. So I don't think there's anything blocking them. Ran the wire through, primed the pump and bled the air out and still same issue.

 

[Reach4]

Is that red part on top a label with make and model info?

 

[Craigpump]

The plug under the suction line. Throw that galvanized nipple under the pressure switch away while you're at it.....