Pump Troubleshooting Guide: Common Problems and Solutions
Thomas Insights

Pump Troubleshooting Guide: Common Problems and Solutions

October 9, 2025 Documents

Pump Troubleshooting Guide: Common Faults, Causes, and Solutions D/DG Horizontal Multistage Centrifugal Pump for Clean W...

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Pump Troubleshooting Guide: Common Faults, Causes, and Solutions
D/DG Horizontal Multistage Centrifugal Pump for Clean Water

This guide summarizes typical pump operating faults, their likely causes, and recommended solutions. It is designed to help operators diagnose issues quickly and restore efficient pump performance.

1. Pump Does Not Prime; Pressure and Vacuum Gauge Needles Fluctuate

Possible causes:

  • Insufficient priming water inside the pump
  • Air leakage in the suction pipeline or at gauge connections

Recommended solutions:

  • Add sufficient liquid to fully prime the pump
  • Tighten and seal all leaking joints and connections

2. Pump Does Not Prime While the Vacuum Gauge Indicates High Vacuum

Possible causes:

  • Foot valve not opened or blocked
  • Excessive resistance in the suction pipeline
  • Suction lift too high

Recommended solutions:

  • Inspect and correct or replace the foot valve
  • Optimize or replace the suction pipeline
  • Reduce suction lift to an appropriate level

3. Pressure Gauge Shows Pressure but the Pump Still Delivers No Water

Possible causes:

  • Excessive resistance in the discharge pipeline
  • Incorrect motor rotation direction
  • Impeller blockage
  • Insufficient pump speed

Recommended solutions:

  • Inspect or shorten the discharge pipeline to reduce resistance
  • Check and correct the motor rotation direction
  • Remove piping connections and clean the impeller
  • Increase pump speed to its rated value

4. Pump Flow Rate Below Design Requirement

Possible causes:

  • Pump or pipeline blockage
  • Excessive wear of wear rings or sealing components
  • Insufficient pump rotational speed

Recommended solutions:

  • Clean the pump casing and pipelines
  • Replace worn wear rings or sealing components
  • Increase pump shaft speed to the required level

5. Pump Power Consumption Too High

Possible causes:

  • Packing gland tightened too much, causing overheating
  • Impeller wear reducing hydraulic efficiency
  • Excessive pump flow rate

Recommended solutions:

  • Loosen the packing gland appropriately
  • Replace the worn impeller
  • Increase discharge pipeline resistance or partially close the valve to reduce flow

6. Abnormal Internal Noise and Pump Fails to Deliver Water

Possible causes:

  • Flow rate too high causing excessive su