pump noise

[tschmidlin]

I've got a pump running glycol from the chiller and it makes a weird buzzing noise.  One pump does it and one doesn't, so clearly something is wrong.  I thought that there might be some air in the head, so I loosened the nut to vent it and the pump quieted right down - success!  Unfortunately when I tightened the nut again the noise picked right back up.

Can anyone tell me what is going on and how to fix it?

Here is a pic of the head zoomed in for part numbers, the nut is on the left.

[morticaixavier]

Totally uninformed and without specific knowledge but if bleeding air from the head made the noise stop but then it started again could there be a pin whole somewhere in the lines from the glycol storage unit that is adding air on that one pump?

[tschmidlin]

I forgot to mention - when I loosened the nut and it was quiet, I could see a lot of air bubbles in the stream that was being returned to glycol reservoir.  When I tightened the nut and the noise started, the air bubbles in the stream disappeared. 

[mtnrockhopper]

Obviously the answer is to leave the nut loose. 

[gmac]

Obviously the answer is to leave the nut loose. 

I know I whine when my nuts are tight.

Sorry.

[tschmidlin]

Obviously the answer is to leave the nut loose. 

Obviously

But I am worried that if I leave it loose it will vibrate even looser, and that's when the glycol starts shooting out all over the place.  You don't want to have to clean up a large glycol spill, it is a PITA and that stuff is expensive!

[mtnrockhopper]

Obviously the answer is to leave the nut loose. 

Obviously

But I am worried that if I leave it loose it will vibrate even looser, and that's when the glycol starts shooting out all over the place.  You don't want to have to clean up a large glycol spill, it is a PITA and that stuff is expensive!

Duct tape. 

[vinsthb]

I think you might have a kink or blockage in your system. Because opening vent you relieved pressure making pump turn free. I would move and squeeze the lines and see if you hear a change in the pump.

[dak0415]

Your pump does not look like a March pump, but I have heard that sometimes the thrust washer is left off of the impeller spindle allowing the impeller to rattle around a bit.  Make sure all the pieces/parts are in place inside the pump head.

[hopfenundmalz]

Can you describe the noise? A whine? Or a growl?

[mtnrockhopper]

Can you describe the noise? A whine? Or a growl?

Contract Michael Winslow to do an impression!

[tschmidlin]

Can you describe the noise? A whine? Or a growl?

Buzzing.  Its weird.

I think you might have a kink or blockage in your system. Because opening vent you relieved pressure making pump turn free. I would move and squeeze the lines and see if you hear a change in the pump.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.  It seems to flow pretty well though.

[bluesman]

I suggest ear plugs or a sledge hammer. One or the other would work. 

Sorry Tom...but I just couldn't help myself.

On a serious note...have you tried contacting the manufacturer, this is assuming they are designed in an American speaking business. Noted: assembled in Mexico

[tschmidlin]

Can you describe the noise? A whine? Or a growl?

Buzzing.  Its weird.

I think you might have a kink or blockage in your system. Because opening vent you relieved pressure making pump turn free. I would move and squeeze the lines and see if you hear a change in the pump.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.  It seems to flow pretty well though.

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

says the pump after I move the hose all around trying to find a kink or blockage.   

[tschmidlin]

I suggest ear plugs or a sledge hammer. One or the other would work. 

Sorry Tom...but I just couldn't help myself.

On a serious note...have you tried contacting the manufacturer, this is assuming they are designed in an American speaking business. Noted: assembled in Mexico

Ear plugs - definitely.  Sledge hammer . . . maybe!