Pump not holding prime - any thoughts?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
C

captain canada

Member
May 10, 2015
8
Eastern Ontario
Hi there,

I'm just trying to fire up my pool pump after a winter layaway and am encountering a problem with the pump/filter/lines. I fill up the pump basket as usual, replace cover turn on pump and it primes - you can see the air bubbles slowly diminish through the transparent pump basket cover and just at that moment when all of the visible air bubbles in the pump basket disappear, the pump loses prime. This is consistent, I've tried it a bunch of times. Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be happening here? The pump seems to operate correctly until that moment when it loses prime. I've tried blocking off skimmer intakes individually, no real change, various filter settings I dunno, running out of ideas. I've also noticed that the pump basket has more water in it than it typically would when it's off. Typically the water level would be at or around the level of the pump intake at the bottom of the basket. Currently the water level is several inches above that almost to the skimmer lines intake into the pump. could the filter be plugged somehow?

thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.
 
Suction side air leak.

Check the pump basket O ring and the pump drain plugs.

You put Pool Lube - Further Reading on the O rings?

www.troublefreepool.com

Suction Side Air Leaks

If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Post pics of your equipment pad.
 
captain canada said:
I've also noticed that the pump basket has more water in it than it typically would when it's off.
Click to expand...
Actually, the pump pot should hold water when it's off if the system is "air tight". This also helps it to prime quickly on the next start up. Check all connections closely for a potential air leak. Perhaps post some pics of your equipment pad as well so we can see everything.
 
captain canada said:
Hi there,

I'm just trying to fire up my pool pump after a winter layaway and am encountering a problem with the pump/filter/lines. I fill up the pump basket as usual, replace cover turn on pump and it primes - you can see the air bubbles slowly diminish through the transparent pump basket cover and just at that moment when all of the visible air bubbles in the pump basket disappear, the pump loses prime. This is consistent, I've tried it a bunch of times. Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be happening here? The pump seems to operate correctly until that moment when it loses prime. I've tried blocking off skimmer intakes individually, no real change, various filter settings I dunno, running out of ideas. I've also noticed that the pump basket has more water in it than it typically would when it's off. Typically the water level would be at or around the level of the pump intake at the bottom of the basket. Currently the water level is several inches above that almost to the skimmer lines intake into the pump. could the filter be plugged somehow?

thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a skimmer weir stuck in the "up" position. Pump primes, runs until the skimmer runs dry, enough water gets past the weir to fill the suction line, pump primes, runs, skimmer runs dry, ad infinitum or until you turn the pump off or release the weir. Very common issue as people start to use their pool.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MSchutzer
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply