New Pump won't prime

Jump to latest Follow Reply
elainerader

elainerader

0
Apr 16, 2013
132
Columbia, MS and Blue Ridge, GA
Installed new pump and re plumbed multi port after system has been sitting for over a month. Cannot get new pump (self priming) pump to prime. Tried several things including running hose into pump basket (not sure if this is correct terminology for it), closing bottom drain, closing off one of the weaker skimmers...nothing. Any suggestions? No apparent leaks above ground....could we have a broken pipe underground? (our ground never freezes except the top grass)Thanks for any input!
 
e,

The most logical reason for a pump not to prime is a large suction side air leak... Like not having an O-ring under the pump lid...

You could also have the multiport shut off or if you took it apart, put the lid on backwards..

I assume it worked well before you installed a new pump??

If you installed the pump with unions (Like you should) you can take the pressure-side pipe off and run a quick test to see if it primes then...

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
e,

If you can post a pic of your equipment pad, we may be able to come up with some other ideas...

Tell us more about your new pump..

Maybe "shut off" was not the right term.. some multiport valves have a "closed" position... On the ones I have worked on, it is possible to install the handle backwards...

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Installed new pump and re plumbed multi port
Click to expand...
My favorite phrase from Richard320 is, "The first thing to break is the last thing you fixed "

Recheck all your connections where you did the work. You have a suction side air leak (s). The pump will prime when the air leaks are sealed.

There is an article in Pool School that may help.
 
Sorry for the late response...been wracking our brain on this. We have eliminated that any problem is coming from the connections from the filter. We tested the new pump to make sure IT wasn't the problem by running a pipe from it directly into the pool, works perfectly, primed immediately, flowing great. (and I can now at least circulate the water and start a slam!) Reconnected the pump directly to the skimmer line, bypassing the filter.....nothing. Won't prime. I would guess the air leak would then be in this line? most of it is under ground, no apparent leaks above.
 
e,

I would use a Drain King and flush water from the pump inlet back into the skimmer and then reverse.. Do that several times.. It could be an air leak, but in my mind more likely a blockage of some type..

Drain King looks like this and comes in different sizes.. https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiH7uLK3uzZAhUStsAKHVpqDqAYABABGgJpbQ&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAASEuRoADWs5TvM_3bWdCt81EJmTA&sig=AOD64_35zUBVnSU4Bzem0iirc1tXmN_v4A&ctype=5&rct=j&q=&ved=0ahUKEwjJ7N3K3uzZAhUq44MKHX8GCYUQ9aACCDI&adurl=

Thanks,

Jim R.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
e,

When you say you "Reconnected the pump directly to the skimmer line, bypassing the filter..".. Do you mean you put the multiport valve in recirculate??? Or did you actually run a temporary line from the pump and back to the pool...???

Is your equipment way above the level of your pool???

Jim R.
 
We tested the new pump to make sure IT wasn't the problem by running a pipe from it directly into the pool, works perfectly, primed immediately, flowing great.
Click to expand...
This confirms the air leak is somewhere from the pump inlet back to the pool via any of those lines. Depending on how they are plumbed, it's best to try one line at a time if possible to find the culprit. Since your pool is 14 yrs old, it's possible some lines are joined together underground which could make it tricky. But when you go from the pump straight back to the water, you know it has to be in the original line(s). Don't rule-out any 3-way valves or check valves above ground either. As Jim noted above, a pic of your equipment pad may help.
 
Yes ran a temp line, it is a 30" rise from the pool level
Click to expand...
Curious .. but with that single line we know it primes quickly as that's the only water source line and it's air-free. I suspect much easier to pull water through that one line. When the pump was connected to the original plumbing, how long did you leave the pump running to try and prime? 30 sec? Couple minutes? Longer?
 
I'm only seeing one picture, but okay. (aahhh - reached your limit). Well, I do see a few issues right off the bat. You have some older ball and turn-type shut-off valves that are prone to going bad. In addition, you appear to have at least one indoor plumbing connection in your suction line (top corner elbow) as opposed to schedule 40 PVC that is rated for outdoor and pool use. Either of those may or may not be contributing to your air leak problem, but they are certainly worth looking at when you get a chance. Have you tried closing-off one suction line (drain first then skimmer(s) or visa versa) to see if it helps with suction? Try with red valve closed, then try with blue one closed? Give the pump a good 1-2 minutes to try and prime. Some pump manuals will even go as far as allowing up to 5 minutes or so to prime, although we typically don't like to see it take that long. If you can get the pump to prime somewhat, then you can try leak testing over those lines above ground with a garden hose, or wrap with some plastic wrap perhaps.

- - - Updated - - -

I should also mention as it's a basic item but we never confirmed ..... how is your water level in the skimmer(s). At least halfway to 3/4 up the opening? Plenty of water to suck-down into the skimmers? I know you have a drain, but we should still confirm.
 
UPDATE: Before we dug up the yard my husband insisted we purchase a different pump....a Hayward, primed in 30 seconds hooked up to our newly re sanded and new lateral installed filter.....good to go! The no name pump, even though is supposedly met all the specs we needed, was a piece of junk. Lesson learned, you get what you pay for!
thanks for all the advice and time spent trying to help figure this out!! You all are awesome!!
 
Can you tell us the name of the "no name" pump, so we as a group know to stay away from it. I just had my two year old "no name" pump burn up, and it is a Splashpool pump. No parts, no info on it anywhere. I found one just like it on ebay for $149.00. My pool builder is reluctantly putting in a Jandy Flopro tomorrow.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply