Strange unexplained occurrence

Our well is in a hole in the ground. Back in March we stopped getting water. We looked in hole, it had water in it. The pipe from pump to house had broken and flooded the hole. That was dead. After 2 months a friends dad gave us a pump he had. His friend installed it. There were pressure issues and an air leak, but finally got it working. PROBLEM : About once a week or so I wake up to no water. I solve this by shutting off the pump breaker for about n hour. Turn it back on, water for another several days. Why is this happening? Neither our friends dad or his friend can explain it. Must fix before winter! Please help

we are going to need a lot more information about your pump, well, water level, type of pump etc before we can help.