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How to Remove Air from a Motor Pump?

Published in Pump Priming 3 mins read

Removing air from a motor pump, often called "priming," is crucial for proper pump operation. An airlock prevents the pump from creating suction and moving fluid. While the provided reference is limited, we can infer some best practices related to output hose connection, which can be part of the priming process. Here’s a general guide on how to remove air from a motor pump, incorporating elements from the reference.

Understanding Airlock in Motor Pumps

An airlock occurs when air becomes trapped inside the pump or the suction pipe, preventing the pump from drawing fluid. This can happen after maintenance, during initial setup, or if the fluid level drops too low.

Steps to Remove Air from a Motor Pump (Priming)

While specific procedures vary by pump type, these are common steps:

  1. Turn off the power: Always disconnect the pump from its power source before attempting any maintenance or priming.
  2. Locate the priming port/plug: Most pumps have a designated priming port or plug. This is usually located on top of the pump housing. Consult your pump's manual for the exact location.
  3. Open the priming port/plug: Carefully open the priming port or plug. This allows air to escape as you add fluid.
  4. Add fluid to the pump housing: Slowly pour fluid (usually water, unless specified otherwise in the pump's manual) into the priming port until the pump housing is full and air bubbles stop escaping.
  5. Close the priming port/plug: Once the pump housing is full and all air is released, securely close the priming port or plug.
  6. Check the suction line: Ensure the suction line is submerged in the fluid source. If the suction line is above the fluid level, air will continue to be drawn into the pump.
  7. Power on the pump: Reconnect the pump to its power source and turn it on.
  8. Observe the pump's operation: The pump should begin to draw fluid and operate normally. If the pump fails to prime, repeat steps 2-7. You may need to check for leaks in the suction line or pump housing.
  9. Output Hose Connection: As shown in the reference, ensure that the output hose can easily be inserted and clipped up to lock. This will ensure smooth operation.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Check for leaks: Inspect all fittings and connections for leaks. Air leaks can prevent the pump from priming.
  • Inspect the foot valve (if applicable): If your pump has a foot valve at the end of the suction line, make sure it's functioning correctly and not clogged or stuck open.
  • Consider a self-priming pump: If priming is a frequent issue, consider upgrading to a self-priming pump, which is designed to automatically remove air.

Example scenario

Imagine you have a centrifugal pump that stopped working after you changed its filter. Most likely, air entered the pump during the filter change.

  1. Turn off the pump.
  2. Locate the priming port on top of the pump.
  3. Open the priming port and slowly pour water into the pump housing until it’s full and air bubbles stop coming out.
  4. Close the priming port tightly.
  5. Make sure the suction line is fully submerged in water.
  6. Turn the pump back on.

If it still doesn't work, repeat the process and check for leaks.