When troubleshooting a pump executing improperly, which checks are recommended?

• A. Check prime, leaks, valve positions, and pump speed (RPM)
• B. Only check the discharge pressure
• C. Swap to a different pump
• D. Restart the system without checks

Answer: (B)

When a pump isn’t delivering as expected, you need a systematic check of the basic operating conditions rather than focusing on a single measurement. The most effective first steps are to verify that the pump is properly primed, inspect for any leaks in the suction side, confirm valve positions are correct for the intended flow, and check that the pump is running at the proper speed. Each of these factors directly influences the ability of the pump to move fluid: priming ensures the pump isn’t pulling air or running dry, leaks on the suction reduce incoming pressure and flow, valve settings control the path and amount of flow, and the speed determines the head and flow rate you can achieve. Relying only on discharge pressure can miss upstream or mechanical issues, and swapping pumps or restarting without checks doesn’t diagnose the root cause and can mask problems.