Pump not filling with water

[aztony]

I have a Haywood 3200DR pool pump. The pump isn't filling when I run it. I've cleaned the gasket under the lid and made sure it is on tight but it is still not filling. It fills a little more than half way up. I also poured a bucket of water into the pump before putting on the lid. Do you think it needs a new gasket? Looking at the gasket it looks fine, no breaks, cracks, or debris. If I do have to replace the gasket how do you get the old one out. TIA

 

[Texas Splash]

Tony, besides cleaning the O-ring, did you apply some pool silicone lube? Did you look elsewhere to be sure all valves are fully open and that the pool water level is adequate? Also that the skimmer weir door is not stuck (closed)?

 

[aztony]

Tony, besides cleaning the O-ring, did you apply some pool silicone lube? Did you look elsewhere to be sure all valves are fully open and that the pool water level is adequate? Also that the skimmer weir door is not stuck (closed)?

I just applied the lube when I saw your suggestion. It didn't work. As for the valves they are all open and after all the rain we've had the pool water is more than adequate. The weir door is working correctly.

 

[Texas Splash]

Generally when we hear the pump isn't filling up all the way, we think of a suction side leak. If there are none, then you can look at two other scenario's:
- A partial suction side blockage
- Dirty filter which is restricting flow out of the pump - kind of a churning effectin teh pump basket. Mine does that when dirty.

But make sure there are no other suction leak possibilities.

 

[wireform]

Try opening the air bleed on the filter and see if it fills better. You also may have a bad pump motor or capacitor.

 

[aztony]

Try opening the air bleed on the filter and see if it fills better. You also may have a bad pump motor or capacitor.

I did more than the air bleed. The water was sputtering out of the air bleed, not spurting out like normal. So I took everything apart, cleaned the filters and everything else, put it all back together. I also put new parts on the pool vacuum Navigator since it hasn't been done in a couple of years. The basket fills more; than it was, almost to the top but not quite by a couple of inches. Not sure what to do to get that water to the top.

 

[duraleigh]

what is your current psi? How long has this condition existed?

 

[aztony]

what is your current psi? How long has this condition existed?

Actually, either the gauge isn't working or I have no psi. I did notice this morning when I opened the bleeder valve with the pump running, water drips out from the ring around the filter basket. I did lube the gasket. I guess I'll have to take it apart and redo it. As for how long it has been going on i would say the last few days.

 

[aztony]

So the basket is still not filling. When I open the air bleed the water doesn't come out as fast as it used to. Do you think I need a new gauge?

 

[duraleigh]

So, if you are pumping water (and you are.....it's coming out the air release valve), albeit not as much as normal, that condition is almost always (more than 90%) a suction side leak.

Somewhere between the skimmer and the pump, you are sucking in air which prevents the pump from priming fully. Read the article in pool school on suction side leaks and then see if you can find it. If the condition has only existed a couple of days, what changed? Any valve changes? Any repairs?

Yes, you MIGHT need a new gauge but that is unrelated to your issue for now. PSI should register on the gauge as soon as you find that suction leak.

 

[aztony]

Thanks for the suggestion on the pool school article. I tried the pour water over the pump method and it seemed like the water came up some but still not to the top or maybe it was just my imagination and that's what I wanted to see. I'd like to try removing the O-ring from the basket lid to see if it's got any cracks or breaks and cleaning it to see if that helps but I can't figure out how to remove it. Any suggestions on how to get it out?

Nothing has changed in regards to any repairs or valves. I had go online and find the parts manual to find where the drain plugs are. Never knew they were there and what they were for. They were covered by the rocks around the pump. There are two drain plugs, I'm assuming I need to check both. I'm going to order the O-rings for the basket and drain plugs. Can't hurt to replace them.

 

[Texas Splash]

I'd like to try removing the O-ring from the basket lid to see if it's got any cracks or breaks and cleaning it to see if that helps but I can't figure out how to remove it. Any suggestions on how to get it out?

Looks like it should turn counter-clockwise. I think I see an arrow (OPEN) on the top. It may be tight. You may need constant, strong pressure. Maybe even help with with a rubber mallet at that tab (tapping) to get it loose. Make sure the O-ring is clean, not torn, and well-lubed with pool silicone.

 

[aztony]

Looks like it should turn counter-clockwise. I think I see an arrow (OPEN) on the top. It may be tight. You may need constant, strong pressure. Maybe even help with with a rubber mallet at that tab (tapping) to get it loose. Make sure the O-ring is clean, not torn, and well-lubed with pool silicone.

Thanks. I got the O-ring out with a small screwdriver to lift it out partially. I cleaned it and applied the lube but the basket is still not filling. I ordered the O-rings for the drain plugs, actually the drain plug comes with a gasket which I'm assuming is the O-ring.

 

[Texas Splash]

While waiting on the new drain plug/o-rings, take your time reviewing the following (some of which you have done I know) which can all result in some water flow problems at the pump:
- Water level in pool adequate?; should be at least halfway up the skimmer opening
- Skimmer weir door operating properly; not stuck shut blocking water flow
- Filter carts clean and unobstructed; restricted flow can cause back-pressure and the pump basket water can drop
- Any/all valves/fitting above ground in front of the pump (suction) have been inspected for leaks. You can try the garden hose method, food coloring, shaving cream, smoke, or even saran wrap at each joint. Sometimes 3-way valves let air in due to a faulty o-ring at the stem, or even a bad stem/seal itself.
- Make sure to rule-out a partial clog between the skimmer and pump. If needed, push water "backwards" from the pump intake back to the skimmer with a garden hose (wrap with a rag to help seal) to see if water comes back okay or if anything dislodges.
- All valves fully open
- With power OFF, reach into the pump basket and feel for the fan-like impeller; check to see if it moves freely and nothing got tangles in it.

Maybe one of those things will help.

 

[aztony]

While waiting on the new drain plug/o-rings, take your time reviewing the following (some of which you have done I know) which can all result in some water flow problems at the pump:
- Water level in pool adequate?; should be at least halfway up the skimmer opening
- Skimmer weir door operating properly; not stuck shut blocking water flow
- Filter carts clean and unobstructed; restricted flow can cause back-pressure and the pump basket water can drop
- Any/all valves/fitting above ground in front of the pump (suction) have been inspected for leaks. You can try the garden hose method, food coloring, shaving cream, smoke, or even saran wrap at each joint. Sometimes 3-way valves let air in due to a faulty o-ring at the stem, or even a bad stem/seal itself.
- Make sure to rule-out a partial clog between the skimmer and pump. If needed, push water "backwards" from the pump intake back to the skimmer with a garden hose (wrap with a rag to help seal) to see if water comes back okay or if anything dislodges.
- All valves fully open
- With power OFF, reach into the pump basket and feel for the fan-like impeller; check to see if it moves freely and nothing got tangles in it.

Maybe one of those things will help.

Well I had a whole bunch of stuff I was going to write on how I didn't find anything that worked. That is, until I checked the impaler. I turned it with a screwdriver and a whole bunch of dirt and twigs came out. Cleaned that out and wouldn't you know the pump fills with water, no bubbles, running great. Oh well,now I have some new o-rings in case I ever need them. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Texas Splash]

Cleaned that out and wouldn't you know the pump fills with water, no bubbles, running great.

Yeah baby!

 

[wireform]

Fantastic, thanks for getting back with good resolve.