Anything to do with plumbing is my worst area to deal with. Twice in the past week our Goulds above ground jet pump suddenly stops it's on and off cycling while running the water and the water quickly ran to a trickle and stopped. After about 2 minutes it suddenly started again, but with spurts of mixed in air coming from the faucet. The pump and small tank are in a crawlspace under the house. I'm now wondering when it will stop running for good. Any ideas on what it might be? Thanks!

If the pump continued running, but stopped delivering water, air is getting into the system somewhere. Since it is air leaking in, not water out, the leak can be hard to find. Check the fittings around the pump carefully. With the dry weather around the country, the well could be so low that the pump is drawing air at the bottom.

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Originally Posted by labman

If the pump continued running, but stopped delivering water, air is getting into the system somewhere. since it is air leaking in, not water out, the leak can be hard to find. Check the fittings around the pump carefully. With the dry weather around the country, the well could be so low that the pump is drawing air at the bottom.

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HINT: If there's a leak it will be found on the suction side of the system. Good luck, Tom

The pump doesn't run as usual. When running the water, the pump will fail to kick in. Water will diminish to zero. Then after 3 minutes or so, the pump will kick back on and run normally for a day or two with plenty of water. The control valve was replaced last year and the pressure switch was replaced last week.

If the well were going dry, which is unlikely in this area, wouldn't the pump run non-stop attempting to pull water, but only sucking air?

I sure don't get it. Hopefully you guys do! Thanks for any help you can give!!

I think you are right. It sounds like to me like you are not getting power to the pump. I am a new convert to voltage detectors. I have a GB Instruments Live wire, GVD-505A, less than $15 at Home Depot. Touch it to the incoming power, the wires between the controls and the pump motor. In a few seconds you can find out if the pump has power, and if not, where the power goes in, bud does not come out. One other thing you could check is the piping to the pressure switch. It could be limed up and pressure changes not tripping the pump.