Symptom Possible Causes

Suction pipeline not fully filled with fluid.

Insufficient NPSH.
Excessive gas in liquid.
1. Insufficient pump capacity
Air leakage into the pump or to the suction line.
Partial blockage of impeller.
Worn-out bearing rings.
Pump not primed.

Insufficient margin between suction pressure & vapour pressure at suction

condition (insufficient NPSH).
2. Pump does not deliver Air pockets in suction lines.
Air leaks into suction lines.
System head higher than pump total head.
Parallel operation of pumps with different characteristics.
Foreign material in the pump impeller.
Insufficient filling of suction piping.
Insufficient NPSH due to pressure variation at suction.
3. Pump loses priming after start-up
Air or gas entry to pump.
Variation of submergence.
Pump operates at higher speed.
Higher system head.
Lower system head.
4. Motor getting overloaded Different specific gravity of liquid.
Different viscosity.
Improper fixing of packing.
Rubbing of rotating parts with stationary parts.
Gas entry into pump.
Operation at capacity less than minimum flow.
Foreign material in impeller, causing imbalance.
Misalignment.
5. Vibration of pump
Damaged bearings.
Foundation not rigid.
Shaft bent.
Rotor imbalance.
Misalignment.
Bent shaft.
Worn-out bearing (spurious).
Shaft eccentricity due to misalignment.
Excessive thrust due to worn-out balancing hole or due to blockage.
6. Frequent damage of bearings
Excessive grease or oils in bearings.
Insufficient lubrication.
Incorrect fitting of bearings.
Excessive cooling of bearing housing.
Rusting of bearing due to water entry.
Entry of foreign material.
Rotating part rubbing.
Worn-out bearings.
7. Seizure of rotors
Insufficient clearance of bearing rings.
7. Seizure of rotors

Lube oil failure.