Hale Q Series Muscle - Manual (Page 95)

95 MUSCLE (Midship) Pumps Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual
p/n: 029-0020-63-0
Troubleshooting 
Pump Loses
Prime or Will Not
Prime -
continued.
Note: Weekly
priming is rec-
ommended to
ensure proper
operation. See
Section 4 Pre-
ventive Mainte-
nance, heading
“Priming Sys-
tem Test” on
page 74.
Air trapped in suction
line. • Avoid placing any part of the suction hose higher than the suction
intake.
• Suction hose should be laid out with continuos decline to fluid
supply.
• If trap in hose is unavoidable, repeated priming may be needed to
eliminate air pockets in suction hose.
Insufficient priming • Proper priming procedures should be followed.
• Do not release the primer control before assuring a complete
prime.
• Open the discharge valve slowly during completion of prime to
ensure complete prime.
NOTICE!
DO NOT RUN THE PRIMER OVER FORTY-FIVE (45) SECONDS. IF PRIME IS
NOT ACHIEVED WITHIN 45 SECONDS, STOP AND LOOK FOR CAUSES (AIR
LEAKS OR BLOCKED SUCTION HOSES.)
Pump pressure too
low when nozzle is
opened. • Prime pump again and maintain higher pump pressure while
opening the discharge valve slowly.
Air leaks • Attempt to located and correct air leaks using the following proce-
dures:
• Perform “Dry Vacuum Test” on pump per NFPA standards with 22”
minimum vacuum required with loss not to exceed 10” Hg. in five
(5) minutes.
• If a minimum of 22” Hg. cannot be achieved, the priming device or
system may be inoperative, or the leak is too big for the primer to
overcome (such as an open valve). The loss of vacuum indicates
leakage and could prevent priming or cause loss of prime.
• After priming shut OFF the engine. Audible detection of a leak is
often possible.
• Connect the suction hose from the hydrant or the discharge of
another pumper to pressurize the pump with water. Look for visi-
ble leakage and correct. A pressure of 100 PSI (689 kPa) should
be sufficient. DO NOT exceed pressure limitations of pump,
accessories or piping connections.
• Check pump packing during attempt to locate leakage. If leakage
is in excess of recommendations, adjust accordingly. See Section
4 Preventive Maintenance, heading “Repacking the Seal” on page
85.
• The suction side relief valve can leak. Plug the valve outlet con-
nection and retest
Table 6-1: Muscle (Midship) Pump Troubleshooting (Sheet 3 of 9)
Condition Possible Cause Suggested Corrective Action