My Hot Springs Classic is 20 years old and over the years had minor problems which I could take care of. I needed to replace the pump motor and the pump seals and also that little hose that runs in front of the pump because of a freeze up during this winter. I replaced it with a clear vinyl hose.
All works fine except the jets pulsate even when the air is turned off, about one second of solid water the next second with some air in it and so on. with the air turned up it still pulsates, it seems as if the pump couldn't get enough solid water from the tub, but it still does it when I empty the filter compartment including the pipe.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

....Ott

I think I have located the reason of the pulsation, there is an elbow where the hose from the small circulating pump attaches and it has a nipple where a small hose is connected that goes to the large pipe from the pump.
The hose from the circulating pump leaks where it is attached when jet pump is not on and it sucks air into that little hose which pulsates when the jet pump is on and puts air into the inlet(?) pipe.

It is hard to get to, I may have to disconnect some other stuff to get to it. At least I now know where it comes from.

....Ott

I have a '91 Classic. If yours is an '89 or newer then you have 24 hour circulation. If pre-'89 then the circ pump only comes on when the spa calls for heat. It's possible the leak you describe could cause your problem, but I think it would have to be a very large air leak. Does it sound like it might be an electrical surging? Do you hear clicking when it surges? If the little 1/4" nipple is broken they are easy to replace. Use a 1/4" drill bit. Drill out the old nipple. The 1/4" bit is slightly small, so you will need to ream it out a little to glue the new nipple in place.

Hope this helps
Pete
HotSpring Tech

Thanks Pete, mine is a'89 model and the circulation pump stays on regardless of the heater status. I think I fixed the air sucking problem by sealing everything around that elbow where the little hose is attached BUT, I discovered another leak right where the big pipe from the pump goes down through the fiberglass floor, it leaks even when the pump is off. Also despite fixing the air leak when the jet pump is on it still leaks from under the foam.

The spa sits on a 36x42 concrete pedestal on a slope with a building I built around it so it is enclosed and sunk almost even with the floor. The slope allows me to get under the hot tub with about 16 inches of room. I am thinking of just digging into the foam and access the leaking pipes and epoxy the holes shut. Would I have to re-insulate with foam or could I just use the pink fiberglass insulation?

...Ott

Hi Ott.

Sorry it took so long to reply. I would check the light lens from inside the equipment area - see if there is moisture there. If not check for cracks in the cool down seat (unusual in that year). Water can go into the foam from other places and come up thru the areas you are describing. If you had a leak it might seep for awhile. I'm still thinking light lens, but check everywhere in the equipment area for trails of water. Light lenses are easy to replace.

Pete