Jet pump not pumping after replacing well pipes

About a week ago, I noticed my Meyers jet pump clicking on about every 15 minutes, running for a minute and then shutting off. I heard a trickling sound coming from the well. A plumber came out and pulled up the well pipes and my suspisions were confirmed. The last plumber who had replaced the pump and foot valve about 8 years ago had spliced both the suction and return lines in 3 places and they were indeed leaking. The new plumber replaced the suction line (now one piece) and properly repaired the return line. They then fed the lines back down the well. After pouring in alot of water, the lines were filled back up. Now the pump simply won't pump. It started to on first start up for about a minute and then quit. The lines hold their prime, not leaking down overnight or anything, but the pump just won't pump. The pump is an HC50 1/2 hp model and the well is roughly 55 to 65 feet deep. It never had trouble delivering adaquate water before. What could be wrong? Water level shouldn't be an issue in my location (next to the county water supply).

All pipes from the pump to the jet assembly in the well have to be full of water in order for the system to prime. The pump needs to be full of water and the regulator on the discharge of the pump closed.

Sammy

The plumber filled the lines through the head of the pump where the pressure regulator, feed tube for the shut off relay and the discharge exit from. The ball valve on the discharge was shut. Filling it in this manner fills the pump, but does it fill both pipes (return and suction)?

Did he fill the pipes at the well head and then the pump?

sammy

No, he poured all the water in through the top of the pump.

I just checked the pipes as the come out of the well. They are full of water and so is the pump. Could the jet at the bottom of the well be clogged? It worked before replacing the suction line, but could stirring things up when dropping it down in again plug it? We have alot of iron in our water.

It could be plugged up. Did he replace the whole jet assembly and foot valve?Is it a twin pipe or single pipe jet?

Sammy

It is a twin pipe setup. We pulled up the hose, the jet is all clear and the foot valve is operating properly.

Something is not right. Where is the pump located in relation to the well?

sammy

The pump sits about 1 foot away from the well casing. When we pulled it up the second time to investigate the foot valve and jet, we replaced the return line with one piece of pipe as well. Measuring the hose ourselves revealed the well is actually closer to 75-80 feet deep. We filled both pipes with water, made the connections to the pump, and finished filling the pump through the regulator that sits on top of the pump. The pump will build about 10 psi of pressure with the discharge closed but thats it. That falls away by even opening the discharge slightly. My last guess is a bad pump, although it worked before the plumber came out. I know its got to be full of rust and iron deposits. The plug opening at the top of the regulator was nearly blocked shut with deposits. Thanks for all the replies you've been giving us.

I would pull that jet again and inspect it. You might want to consider doing the pump. If you have any iron deposits in the pump, it can circulate some of those deposits down the jet and plug the nozzle.

Good Luck,

sammy

We replaced the pump with the same model (Meyers HC50) but are still having the same problem.

I read in another thread on this forum that deep well double drops require a backpressure regulator. The new pump came with the same pressure regulator the old pump had.

I'm trying to figure out if the backpressure regulator is what we need and if so, where in the system its supposed to be placed?

My guess is a suction line leak either at the pump or the jet or between the jet and the house.

Saito said:

The pump sits about 1 foot away from the well casing. When we pulled it up the second time to investigate the foot valve and jet, we replaced the return line with one piece of pipe as well. We filled both pipes with water, made the connections to the pump, and finished filling the pump through the regulator that sits on top of the pump. The pump will build about 10 psi of pressure with the discharge closed but thats it. That falls away by even opening the discharge slightly. My last guess is a bad pump, although it worked before the plumber came out. I know its got to be full of rust and iron deposits. The plug opening at the top of the regulator was nearly blocked shut with deposits. Thanks for all the replies you've been giving us.

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Is the pump above the top of the pipes going down the well or below them?

If below, you should have air trapped in the pipes right at the top of the casing and they aren't primed.

The regulator is on the discharge of the pump, right? Then I'd prime the lines and pump on the inlet side of the pump, not the discharge side.

Plugged Nozzle in the injector!

Your jet may be OK but I'd bet my farm that the small 1/4" nozzle below the injector in your jet is plugged. That's 99% of jet pump problems.

When a jet pump will only build up 10 lbs. pressure you can be assured it's a jet problem and usually a plugged or restricted nozzle.

Anytime you have to tamper with a used jet pump; drop pipe; jet or foot valve expect problems from a plugged or restricted nozzle. Not just once, sometimes several times.

Pull it and check the nozzle each time.

The jet pumps themselves are seldom a problem. . . if it is you can usually see it. . . burnt; broken or leaking.

I love installing new jet pump systems but hate servicing used ones!