417. Support: Air Bleeding Guide for the Spa Pumps.

Air Bleeding Guide for Spa Pumps:

Note: Make sure the spa is filled with water all the way to the recommended level per the spa manufacturer.

- On initial system start-up or whenever refilling the spa, turn the temperature off or to the lowest setting and run the pump on high speed to purge the plumbing lines for about 1-5 minutes with water purging out the jets. Or allow to run until you achieve a strong, steady water flow (free of air bubbles). Do not allow the pump to run for more than 5 minutes with low water inside the pump. This may wear out the pump motor, or damage the impeller. In between the water purging sequence, stop the pump and then restart back in high speed 5 or more times to help the water purge. When jets are flowing in full pressure mode, the spa pack pack is ready to be operated in normal mode

- If you have air valves on the topside of your spa that opens and close the air pressure, make sure this air valve is closed to have our system heat properly. Or else, air will eventually pass through the plumbing and deactivate the pressure switch inside the heater. Only open air valves when jets are in high performance, and system is heating properly.

- If you have jet converter turn knobs or dials on the topside of your spa, make sure they are all open so that water will pass through the jets.

- If there is a filter in conjunction with the jet pump plumbing, make sure your filter is clean. Try removing the filter element and run the spa pack without it. If this solves the problem, you may want to clean your filter or have it replaced. It is recommended that the filter be cleaned every 2 weeks, and replaced every 3 months. Also try filling up the filter canister with water to help the pump push more water through the plumbing. You may even pull a garden hose down the filter pipes with running water during the purging cycle.

- Another helpful hint is to spray water down the jets. Sometimes there may be air locks in the return side of the water lines, and water need to fill up that return line. This should help fill up the water lines, and get rid of some of the air.

- Also make sure the water level is at appropriate level inside the spa. If there is low water level, definitely there will be air in the water lines. Do Not run the spa with low water level. Fill spa with water up to recommended level before powering up the spa pack.

- If you have gate valves or shut-off valves installed on the plumbing lines, make sure they are fully opened. You can also help the water flow by slightly closing the gate valves (on the return line) and reopening it up slowly to maintain water flow during the purging cycle.

- If your spa pack with pump is installed below water level, make sure water is directly flowing by gravity to the pump suction. When you start to unscrew the screw-on nut that connects onto the suction side of the pump, water should start pouring out. If water is slowly coming out, then you either plumbed the spa pack in reverse or there is a clogged in the water lines.

- There can also be a combination of air and water inside the plumbing. This is common with air and water flowing through pump. Try to bleed air out of the plumbing while the pump is running. Unscrew the screw-on union fittings on the pump intake just a little bit for a little water to be dripping. You can hear air leaking out when doing so. Don't allow water to squirt out, or they will get into electrical component. Then run the pump in high speed. Let the pump run on high for 5-10 seconds, off for one second, then repeat.  If water is not dripping while pump is running, open up the screw-on nut some more. Try this method until there is strong jet pressure. Then re-tighten the screw-on unions, and proceed with normal spa operation.

- Some spa has a water spicket spout for a garden hose connection. Open it up a little bit. You can hear air leaking out when doing so. Don't allow water to squirt out. A little water dripping is OK. Once air is leaked out and water fills up the pipes through the spa pack, the jets should be purging water out. Now tighten all valves (excluding gate valves) and allow pump to run for a few minutes to purge all the lines. Once strong water pressure is achieved, you can proceed with normal spa operation.

- There can be cracks in the water line that is hard to locate. Hairline cracks can be found on pumps, filters, heaters, pipe lines and pipe fittings. Check the water lines and spa equipment with the pump running. Listen closely to hear sizzling noises, which can locate a crack. Water leaks can also be found. This is where air enters the water line and cause either poor water flow or not allowing the heater to heat properly. Identify these cracks and fix it as soon as possible. If it's an equipment that has a crack, it is recommended to be replaced.

- If problems still exist, contact Spaguts.com for further troubleshooting with SpaGuts.com brand equipment.