TECHNICAL SERVICE MANUAL
SECTlON TSI080
.PAGE 5
VIKING PUMP HOUDAILLE
INSTALLATION, START UP, TROUBLE-SHOOTING,
ISSUE B
ONE OF THE HOUDILLE PUMP GROUP
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, DO'S & DON'TS
where to start looking for the trouble.
Vacuum Gauge-Suction Port
1. High reading would indicate.
a. Suction line blocked-foot valve stuck, gate
valve closed, strainer plugged.
b. Liquid too viscous to flow through the piping.
c. Lift too high.
d. Line too small.
2. Low reading would indicate.
a. Air leak in suction line.
b. End of pipe not in liquid.
c. Pump is worn.
d. Pump is dry-should be primed.
3. Fluttering, jumping, or erratic reading
a. Liquid vaporizing.
b. Liquid coming to pump in slugs, possibly an
air leak or insufficient liquid above the end of
the suction pipe.
c. Vibrating from cavitation, misalignment, or
damaged parts.
Pressure Gauge-Discharge Port
1. High reading would indicate
a. High viscosity and small and/or long
discharge line.
b. Gate valve partially closed.
c. Filter plugged.
d. Vertical head did not consider a high specific
gravity liquid.
e. Line partially plugged from build up on inside
of pipe.
f. Liquid in pipe not up to temperature.
g. Liquid in pipe has undergone a chemical
reaction and has solidified.
h. Relief valve set too high.
2. Low reading would indicate
a. Relief valve set too low.
b. Relief valve poppet not seating properly.
c. Bypass around the pump partially open.
d. Too much extra clearance.
e. Pump worn.
3. Fluttering, jumping, or erratic reading
a. Cavitation.
b. Liquid coming to pump in slugs.
c. Air leak in suction line.
d. Vibrating from misalignment or mechanical
problems.
Some of the following may also help pinpoint the
problem:
A. Pump does not pump.
1. Lost its prime-air leak, low level in tank, foot
valve stuck.
2. Suction lift too high.
3. Rotating in wrong direction.
4. Motor does not come up to speed.
5. Suction and discharge valves not open.
6. Strainer clogged.
7. Bypass valve open, relief valve set too low, relief
valve poppet stuck open.
8. Pump worn out.
9. Any changes in the liquid system, or operation
that would help explain the trouble, e.g. new
source
of
supply,
added
more
lines,
inexperienced operators, etc.
10. Tighten end clearance.
11. Head position incorrect. See Fig. 3.
B. Pump starts, then loses its prime.
1. Supply tank empty.
2. Liquid vaporizing in the suction line.
3. Air leaks or air pockets in the suction line; leaking
air through packing or mechanical seal.
4. Worn out.
C. Pump is noisy.
1. Pump is being starved (heavy liquid cannot get
to pump fast enough). Increase suction pipe size
or reduce length.
2. Pump is cavitating (liquid vaporizing in the
suction line). Increase suction pipe size or
reduce length; if pump is above the liquid, raise
the liquid level closer to the pump; if the liquid is
above the pump, increase the head of liquid.
3. Check alignment.
4. May have a bent shaft or rotor tooth. Straighten
or replace.
5. Relief valve chatter; increase pressure setting.
6. May have to anchor base or piping to eliminate
or reduce vibration.
7. May be a foreign object trying to get into the
pump through the suction port.
D. Pump not up to capacity.
1. Starving or cavitating-increase suction pipe size
or reduce length.
2. Strainer partially clogged.
3. Air leak in suction piping or along pump shaft.
4. Running too slowly; is motor the correct speed
and is it wired up correctly.
5. Bypass line around pump partially open.
6. Relief valve set too low or stuck open.
7. Pump worn out.
8. Tighten end clearance.
9. Head position incorrect. See Fig. 3.
E. Pump takes too much power.
1. Running too fast--Is correct motor speed, reducer
ratio, sheave size, etc. being used.
2. Is liquid more viscous than unit sized to handle;
heat the liquid, increase the pipe size, slow the
pump down, or get a bigger motor.
3. Discharge pressure higher than calculated, check
with pressure gauge. Increase size or reduce
length of pipe, reduce speed (capacity), or get
bigger motor.
Viking Pump Division, Houdaille Industries, Inc. • Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 U.S.A.
