Shurflo Water Pump Troubleshooting

Shurflo Water Pump Troubleshooting

Water test should be performed at every faucet to determine if it is a system issue or a single faucet issue.

Vibration induced by driving can loosen plumbing, strainers and pump hardware. Check for system components that are loose.

Troubleshooting

PUMP WILL NOT START/ BLOWS CIRCUIT

√ Electrical connections, fuse or breaker, main switch, and ground connection.
√ Is the motor hot? Thermal breaker may have triggered; it will reset when cool.
√ Is voltage present at the switch? Bypass pressure switch. Does the pump operate?
√ Charging System for correct voltage (±10%) and good ground.
√ For an open or grounded circuit, or motor; or improperly sized wire.
√ For seized or locked diaphragm assembly (water frozen?).

WILL NOT PRIME/SPUTTERS (No discharge/Motor runs)

√ Is the strainer clogged with debris?
√ Is there water in the tank, or has air collected in the hot water heater?
√ Is the inlet tubing/plumbing sucking in air at plumbing connections (vacuum leak)?
√ Is inlet/outlet plumbing severely restricted or kinked? Restrictive valves?
√ Proper voltage with the pump operating (±10%).
√ For debris in pump inlet/outlet valves or swollen/dry valves.
√ Pump housing for cracks or loose drive assembly screws.

RAPID CYCLING

√ For restrictive plumbing and flow restrictions in faucets/shower heads.
√ Water filter/purifier should be on separate feed line.
√ Shut-off pressure set too low.

PUMP WILL NOT SHUT-OFF / RUNS WHEN FAUCET IS CLOSED

√ Output side (pressure) plumbing for leaks, and inspect for leaky valves or toilet.
√ For air trapped in outlet side (water heater) or pump head.
√ For correct voltage to pump (±10%).
√ For loose drive assembly or pump head screws.
√ Are the valves held open by debris or is the rubber swollen?
√ Pressure switch operation. By-pass set higher than shut-off.

NOISY OR ROUGH OPERATION

√ For plumbing which may have vibrated loose.
√ For a restricted inlet (clogged strainer, kinked hose, restrictive valves).
√ Is the pump plumbed with rigid pipe causing noise to transmit?
√ Does the mounting surface amplify noise (flexible)? Does it bang like a drum?
√ For mounting feet that are loose or are compressed too tight.
√ For air in the system. Check all fixtures for air and bleed system.
√ The motor with pump head removed. Is noise from motor or pump head?

LEAKS FROM PUMP HEAD OR SWITCH

√ For loose screws at switch or pump head.
√ Switch diaphragm ruptured or pinched.
√ For punctured diaphragm if water is present in drive assembly.


MAINTENANCE
Normal pump maintenance is all that is needed: Checking and cleaning of the strainer, normal sanitizing and winterizing and occasionally checking all plumbing hardware and fittings for tightness. Lack of sanitizing is the number one reason for premature pump failure and poor performance over time. Lack of sanitizing will cause scale buildup on the diaphragm and valves, causing low flow and leak back [occasional pump cycling with no faucets open or tank filling up when hooked up to city water].