I called Flotec and asked them a few questions. I have the wrong pump, like Payton said. She said no 3/4" hose on this type of pump.. So that puts the boat on the no no list. So this pump will go back. It was used when I got it from Menards.. trying to save big, so they can have it back.
I did reprime, several times. It was suggested to back flush the point. I will try that first, then drive it down till I hit better soil. Or pull it up, havent decided yet which..

Thanks
Dick

Mr Gadgets, I sent you an e-mail through OSO - not sure if that address is valid or not, just wanted to let you know.

** We now return this thread to its regularly scheduled discussion **

Yeah.. got it.. thanks
Dick

Dick, I buy my pumps from Ace Hardware, they loan me a pitcher pump to get every thing clean before I install the pump.

You might ask someone that has driven a lot of wells in your area. Around here, if you go to deep you get a lot of iron in the water. I always try not to turn the point in the ground at all, unless I have an air leak. Then it's a last resort type thing. You may have plugged your point.

As long as water can fill the well casing then you aren't pumping any more than 10'. If you can't get water into the casing, it has to be either pluged or in the midle of clay. Maybe there is water below the clay layer, maybe not.

A 10' 4x4, a cement block, and some chain, and they usually come back up with out to much trouble.

Thanks Payton..
All good info. I am going to check with the neighbor, he just put an extra one down. His main one is all iron like mine. I think he went deeper..

I flushed the point with the garden hose and the water just came gushing backup the pipe. It looks like clay alright, so now to decide whether to go up or down.

I tried a floor jack and a 4x4 3' and it broke.. will try again. I have a new pump coming today... 3/4 hp, regular well pump. First I need to find water in sand or gravel, then try the pump again.. I think the same thing is happening on my main well.. now that I add up the logic. Old pump making noises.. suspect bearings.. new pump breaks the impeller after a month or two... replacement pump with bronze impeller is straining, now that I have heard a pump strain..
You would think all this well stuff would be easier than a Bravo outdrive.. hmmm

Thanks again.. I think I have a clue now.!!

Dick

Payton,
I am still working on this problem... *S* I called the local well people, they tell me other wells in the area show 30-40' of sand then clay then at 80' or better, gravel. So I would have to punch it down to hell, so I want to pull it back up.. Problem is it wont budge.
I put a brake rotor on the pipe, below the coupling and put two floor jacks (2 ton) and it wouldnt move. Broke the rotor after the jacks quit pumping..
So My thought was to put water down the pipe and try to loosen the grip, or air psi or drive it down a couple of inches to free it up..

Any ideas?? I have had my fill of this one!! Thanks
Dick

You have a much deeper water table than we do. Or not as much water in the ground as we do. You said you hit water at 10', but have to drive it 30' to get enough water. I don't think you can drive it that far without the joints loosening up thenit will suck air.
Can you try to twist the pipe as you jack or pull up on it? If you can get it out, tighten all the joints, clean the point and slip it back down the same hole (assuming it's outside and not inside) . I doubt you have 20'+ ceilings.

Another "old plumber"trick I have used a few times is to shoot down the well with a gun. I have had good luck with a .45 or .357. In a well point caked with rust, the shock will brake the rust loose and buy you a couple more years out of an old well. I don't know how it will work in a sand plugged well. I always tried to use a Brass jacketed bullet. I never liked the idea of putting lead in the well.

Give me a call in a while Cell# 219 746 4118

Good luck

To give you guys an update, I finally got the a chance to try and pull the well up a few feet to see if I had the point stuck in clay. I tried everything I could think of to get the pipe to come up instead of going down. I finally took a 1/2" steel plate with hole in it and put two bottle jacks under it and it pulled the pipe up with out too much trouble. I could tell it was freeing up as I lifted it. I was able to use a 10' long and pry it up with ease after a few shuffles with the bottle jacks and steel spacers.. etc

End result is I am getting more water, but not enough.. Looks like the point may be plugged from being in the clay.. I let it run for several hours and no increase in flow... so I may just pull the point and check it and try again. But I wasnt going to give up and leave all that pipe and the point in the ground..

So thanks for all the help and info you guys gave me.. I learned a few things and will file them away to pass on, if someone ever gets in the same situation..
I will let you guys know when I hit real water or oil..

Thanks
Dick