PUMP

TROUBLESHOOTING
: BY Engineer
AHMED ABDULLAH ZAYED
azayed76@yahoo.com E-MAIL
Tel.
002-010-3583653

Pump Troubleshooting

Work request seldom state the exact natural

of problem
Three important questions ask by mechanic
to the operator
(1) When the problem begin? suddenly or
gradually?
(2) What changes in pump status occurred?
(3) What steps has the operator taken to
alleviate the problem?

PROBLEMS
Suddenly

Sudden and complete

failure of part or parts

Gradually

One or more parts

wearing

Suction low (Blocked or forget to open the

valve)
High Discharge (Blocked or forget to open the
valve)
Noises
Vibration
High Temperature
Leak

REMEMBER
Operator checked the valve
Strainer cleaned or changes
Mechanic must double check
Gathering instrument
Copy of manufactures manual

Types Of Symptoms

Heard
Felt
Seen

Symptoms can be Heard

Loud rattling or Clanging

Broken part (shut down the pump)

Howling or Grinding

Bad bearing, Timing gears ,misalignment or shaft distortion

Violent Chattering

Loss of suction, air bound, low setting of relief valve, weather

very cold and oil not preheated

Growling

Discharge valve partially blocked

High Squealing

Relief valve continuously open

Symptom can be felt

Excessive Vibration (Vibrometer)
Worn Or Damaged Part
Bearing, Rotor Imbalance, Shaft Bent or out of
Round , Misalignment
Overheating( Pyrometer )
Friction due to
Not proper lubricated Mechanical seals, Bearing,
Timing gear, Rotors

Symptom can be Seen

Abnormal Reading of Suction And
Discharge gage
First (Check Valve Position- strainer- check gage)
Second (Too high discharge reading)
Blockage downstream
Third (Too low discharge)
Wear or failure parts, Air leak,Partial blocked
suction, Lack of fluid supplies, Loss of
Priming

Symptom can be seen

.)cont(

Leakage
Lubrication Of bearing, Timing
gears, packing, Stuffing box
Air leaks (Pressurization test)
Pipe flanges, Joints, Mechanical
seals, Stuffing box, Gaskets

Internal Parts Problems

Wear or damage the casing rings (wearing
rings)
Clogging impeller, lantern ring, Gland
sealing
Worn or damage packing materials or
mechanical seal
Breaking shafts
Wear or damage the bearing
Foreign objects broken parts in the casing
Wear or damage impeller

Cavitation Phenomena
High noises (Rattling sound)
Like marbles rattling inside casing
High Vibration
Gage fluctuation
Pitting inside casing and vanes

 Decreasing inlet suction pressure

Boiling occurs
Bubbles forming in the low pressure area of the
suction eye
Bubbles collapse suddenly at the high pressure
area
Powerful shock waves
Creating dents or pits inside casing and impeller

NPSH is designed into a pump for

specific range of temperature
If the pump handles fluids within its
available NPSH

NO Cavitations problem

 Operator forgets to open suction valve

Suction line is blocked or partially
blocked
Suction Filter or strainer is blocked
Pump runs too long with discharge valve
shut and recirculation line is clogged

 Fix Technical problem

Decrease fluid temperature
Booster pump

Operator Checked the valve

Strainer cleaned Or changes
It will save time