interminit loss of pressure

I have been trying to fix a problem with my son's deep well. it is a 1/2 h.p. 2 wire deep pump. the problem is loss of pressure after calling for continued water. I shut the valve off after the tank to the home with the pressue gauge @ 70lb and it can hold there. Then i ran a hose from tank drain outside and ran the water until the pump came on (appox.50lbs) then after a few minutes the gauge bounced down to 0 and you can hear louder sound from the hose like it was pumping air. If i shut the valve off it will start to pump up to pressure again. I suspect there maybe a break in the hose somewhere between the sub pump and check valve in the house, or blockage around the pump. help!!!

Sounds to me like the pump is near the water level and is drawing air. This makes it quit pumping for a minute of so, then it gets another gulp of water then repeats. If there was a break in the line, it wouldn't hold pressure when the Pump is off unless someone installed a Check Valve in that line.

bob...

Looked down the casement pipe seems to have water down to where the pump is and the water level does not seem to change. Thank you for your help?

You said "I suspect there maybe a break in the hose somewhere between the sub pump and check valve in the house,...".

There is no hose, or shouldn't be, it's pipe. That check valve will prevent you from seeing a leak between it and the check valve in/on the pump's outlet. The water can't leave the tank and go back through it to the leak.

Some people install one on the inlet to the pressure tank to stop the symptoms of a leak. That's probably why it is there but... pumping water until it sucks air says the leak should be just under the water level a bit.

hope your right

That sounds possible. I know that there is no dirt coming out so i was happy to think that is was not from the house to the pitless conector.Maybe just below the water line like you said. I really don't think it could be the pump with the symptons i am having. The well is located near the house next door and they do not have a lack of water problem.The pipe from the house to the pittless conector must be pvc. Inside the pvc comes through the wall and to a coupling that i think is a check valve with a bleeder nossle on it. The air and water sound i hear is on the pump side of the coupling. This is what is making me think it is sucking air from there to check valve on the sub pump. I am thinking of removing the pump next week, do you think i am headed in the right direction.

You are now describing an air maker system. Do you have a Galvanized tank?

bob...

speedbump said:

You are now describing an air maker system. Do you have a Galvanized tank?

bob...

Click to expand...

changed the sub pump/check valve/still had no water pressure.Took apart the water restricter and remove the rubber bladder and fixed the problem.How important is that part?

Your going to have to send some pictures.

bob...

the problem was a old school in line check valve that was clooged with rust ect... took the rubbber out of it works great!!