Different size spa jet fittings

[JLandgraf]

Hi All,
i’m in the middle of a pool renovation and replaced all plumbing and a couple of broken spa jets prior to plaster. during the chip out, one of the workers broke one of the new jet fittings and the plumber replaced it with a different type of fitting. now, the jets don’t seem to work properly (venturing). all worked normally prior to reno. the original fitting was the one pictured (1.5”, SP1430) and three of the four spa jets are still this style. the new one was a 1” venturi tee, i believe, but definitely not a SP1430. would this one different size/style spa fitting cause the entire system not to operate properly? not finding info on the web. all plumbing is 1.5” appreciate the support,
Jeffery

 

[RDspaguy]

So, the venturi is not working but you have water flow?
Yes, one jet can flood the venturi (air) lines.
The vacuum created on the air line does not care where it gets pressure relief from, so if it has an open port in water it will pull from there too. However that usually results in some air in some jets. To completely kill the venturi on a line requires pressurization of the venturi, which can be done by blocking, improperly installing, or using the wrong internal (barrel) in one jet on the line.
Try removing the jet internal in question. This should cause some air to mix at some of the jets. If so, get the right internal.

 

[JLandgraf]

Correct, plenty of water flow. i can clear the air lines with the blower and get air out of all returns, although the volume of air is certainly lower with this smaller replaced fitting. when the blower is turned off, they all stop bubbling completely. i think you are correct that the new fitting may be flooding the air line with water. i have tried to freeze plug the smaller fitting in question, but i guess that won’t keep it from flooding the air line. i will test pulling the internals on the one jet as advised. thank you. i also added this post to the equipment forum, didn’t realize i was in water chemistry..

 

[JLandgraf]

So, the venturi is not working but you have water flow?
Yes, one jet can flood the venturi (air) lines.
The vacuum created on the air line does not care where it gets pressure relief from, so if it has an open port in water it will pull from there too. However that usually results in some air in some jets. To completely kill the venturi on a line requires pressurization of the venturi, which can be done by blocking, improperly installing, or using the wrong internal (barrel) in one jet on the line.
Try removing the jet internal in question. This should cause some air to mix at some of the jets. If so, get the right internal.

I pulled the eyeball off of the problem return and looked into the pipe. i see no indication that it is a jet (venturi) fitting. i read there should be a 9/16” nut that unscrews or unlocks to pull out the internals. but, i i think i’m seeing through the tee fitting and back to the elbow that runs back to the pump. am i correct that there is no way this system will work correctly if a regular tee was installed? that means it would only bubble when the blower is on, but when the blower is turned off, the entire air system would quickly flood and compromise the venturi system, correct?