Water squirting out from pinhole (Wilo FMP303)

ollielaroo

Hello all,

I hope someone can help with this bizarre problem.

Our house has pressurised water supplied from a Wilo FMP303 (with fluidcontrol) pump in the garage.
Recently I've been hearing a squeaking sound from somewhere around the pump when it turns on.
On closer inspection I see water squirting out of the back of the housing when the pump turns on and pumps water.
When I say housing I mean its the plastic dome shaped cover at the rear of the fluid control unit that sits on top of the pump.
It looks like water is squirting out of a very small hole of the dome housing.

Because the pump is in the corner of the garage and connected up to pipes I can't get a really good look.
The needle in the gauge looks to be sitting just below 2 bar (when the pump is off) and climbs up to just below 4 bar (when its on).

Just to clarify, the squeaking (water squirting out) happens as soon as the pumps turns on and again when it finishes a cycle.

It is concerning as its been like this for a number of months now.

It this water squirting out from the dome housing normal?
Is there supposed to be a very small hole at the back of the housing?
What is going on?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Tullogher

2 bar is very high pressure to cut in at. It definitely would not be low pressure at the taps Did you contact wilo? Doesn't sound normal at all

ollielaroo

The water is squirting out a small hole at the back of the green plastic rounded cover (dome shaped).
Here's a photo of the same pump with the fluid control unit on top:
http://www.pumpen-heizung.de/media/images/4037266.gif

I've been to the Wilo website, I can try contacting them but not sure if they'll be interested in small fry like me, just a domestic user.

I'll let you know if I find out any more on this.

Tullogher

ollielaroo wrote: »

The water is squirting out a small hole at the back of the green plastic rounded cover (dome shaped).
Here's a photo of the same pump with the fluid control unit on top:
http://www.pumpen-heizung.de/media/images/4037266.gif

I've been to the Wilo website, I can try contacting them but not sure if they'll be interested in small fry like me, just a domestic user.

I'll let you know if I find out any more on this.

Of couse they would assist.

Are you on a well? Did you ever get it tested for low ph

ollielaroo

Ok I've emailed them and sent the same story to them on their contact page
https://wilo.com/ie/en/Contact.html

We're on the local mains group scheme in Galway, hard water.
Having said that we don't rely on the mains 50% of the time as we harvest rain water.
No we've never had any test for low ph.

I'm suspicious that the small hole at the back of the fluid control casing might be there by design?
and there might be more than one hole there.
I can't be sure as I just can't get in behind the pump to get a good look.

ollielaroo

Ok I think we've got to the bottom of this mystery.
I've got the following explanation from someone:

"the hole is normal - it is a vent to atmosphere.
The hole the water is coming out will be open to atmosphere to equalise the pressure on the dry side of the diaphragm.
The most likely problem is the diaphragm in the fluid control section is failing.
It will either need a new Fluid control unit or a repair. A new fluid control unit is nearly €300"

https://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/attachments/fluidcontrol-jpg.38938/

Well isn't that just dandy, now I have source a fluid control unit and a plumber.

Thanks for your help Tullogher.

longgonesilver

What does this fluid comptroller do? Is it just a fancy pressure switch?

ollielaroo

No idea.

https://productfinder-wilo.cdn.mediamid.com/pfcdndoc/wilo_f_0200001400012d2100010092/104511/wilo_f_0200001400012d2100010092.pdf

"The WILO-Fluidcontrol is offered as ancilliary equipment for WILO water
supply pumps. The unit must be screwed onto the pump or into the discharge pipe. It is of Inline design, with both connections axially in line.
On ready standby, with all outlet fitting closed and under max. system pressure, the yellow LED is on.
The unit contains a small buffer space filled with water which can be varied by
means of a spring-tensioned diaphragm. If an outlet tap in the system is
opened water will flow out of the small buffer volume into the discharge pipe,
lifting the float. "

I believe it has been replaced by a more fancy "HiControl"
https://www.pumpendiscounter.de/shop_cfg/ReigaGbR/WL_2543600_HiMulti3.jpg

longgonesilver

Hi did Wilo get back to you? If not try service@wilo.ie

ollielaroo

Yes they did thanks.
The regional sales person called me and said I can get through my local Chadwicks or HeatMerchants.
Aquatech.ie in cork also said they could deliver it.

longgonesilver

Parts of the entire unit?

This seems to be a compact version of a shallow well pump. You could replace the top unit with an accumulator and a pressure switch. The switch would be set at the same pressures, the pump would cut in and out less often, but run longer each time that it did cut in. It would take up a bit more room.