TriStar variable speed won't prime

[pcmacd]

Pool less than three years old.

When I moved in last Dec, I had a heck of a time priming the main pump. Replaced the filter basked O ring and all was well, it would self prime.

Today I opened the basket to clean it. O ring has no debris on it; interface for O ring has no debris. Empty basket. Reinstall to, pull tight. Pump won't prime. Runs five minutes or more and won't prime. Open it, balance a five gallon bucket on a pipe, fill the basket and slam, then tighten the top, pump still won't prime. Repeat about three times. No prime.

I let it run and went to lunch for an hour. Still running full speed and no prime. Pull breaker and scratch head.

I cleaned the basket a week ago, no issues getting prime.

Valves are all in normal settings; about 1/3 each bottom drain, cleaner, skimmer, as it has been for months.

I've got a new gasket I can try, or I might put some silicone grease on the flat where the O ring mates?

This ain't rocket science.

Help!

 

[Texas Splash]

Definitely lube the O-ring. That's a must. After that, if it's still not priming after a couple minutes, try switching suction to just the main drain or just the skimmer. Take the cleaner out of the equation. See how those changes effect prime.

 

[Jimrahbe]

pc,

Like Pat, I also suspect it is your cleaner that is allowing air in... Turn off any suction going to the cleaner and try it again.

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

 

[pcmacd]

Thanks to you all.

Even when I just put it on hopper drain, or just the skimmer (which has less lift than does the hopper drain)... nothing seems to work.

I'm with 'yall. It HAS TO BE a leak at the pump basket.

mac

 

[Texas Splash]

Also make sure to check the pump basket drain plugs. They've been known to let air in as well. You should inspect any 3-way valves before the pump as those have small O-rings too. Of course you have more than one route for suction which is good, but maybe double-check the skimmer weir doors and water level just to be safe.

 

[pcmacd]

Thanks to you all. I simply opened the strainer rotated the closure1/4 turn clockwise and reinstalled. It now works fine. Go figure.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Thanks to you all. I simply opened the strainer rotated the closure1/4 turn clockwise and reinstalled. It now works fine. Go figure.

I'm sure that makes sense to you, but I am not at all sure what you mean..

Please say that again, so that your fix may help others in the future...

"Opened Strainer"... I assume you mean you opened the pump lid?????

"Rotated Closure"... Does this mean you rotated the pump lid 1/4 turn or ???

Appreciate any updates...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[pcmacd]

I'm sure that makes sense to you, but I am not at all sure what you mean..

Please say that again, so that your fix may help others in the future...

"Opened Strainer"... I assume you mean you opened the pump lid?????

"Rotated Closure"... Does this mean you rotated the pump lid 1/4 turn or ???

Appreciate any updates...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jes. I opened the strainer lid, rotated it CW 1/4 turn from where it had been while still airborne, re-closed, and it stopped leaking.

Kind of silly, eh?

 

[Texas Splash]

Kind of sounds like either the lid wasn't secure enough, or the gasket kind of got pinched or something. Regardless, good you got it fixed.