My pool cleaner service has been saying that the pump has been having a problem priming at times. I called a repair place out and it seems to have no issue when he fires it up. Last Wednesday I got home and noticed the water not moving but the pump was running. I asked my wife and she said it was like that all day--my first thought was "why did you not shut it off". So 6-7 hours of pump run. I went out to the pump and there was NO water in the sight window (probably like that all day), regardless the pump still sounded fine and it has done this several times. I am wondering what is the next step, or does this look like a pump is shot. I am not sure how old the pump is because we purchased the home used. Any thoughts, like I said...this has happened before. As a matter of fact, it was operating perfectly the day before the pool cleaner service came, then it started to act up again intermittently. Oh yeah, I heard a strange gurgling sound from the pool equipment one night as it is outside of our bedroom window. The pool guy swapped out an O-ring and said that may be causing the prime portion...however, I still cannot get it to work.
Can this be a defective pump?
- Thread starter Dhos1
- Start date
Cwiggs
Gold Supporter
- Aug 31, 2019
- 298
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Sometimes the pump won't prime if there is a leak somewhere. Usually it's in the gasket around the top of the pump, where you open it to clean out leaves. You can check the gasket and lube it in, you should lube it around once a year.
Is the water level in the pool good? I had a problem where the water level was too low, which caused gurgling sounds as it sucked in air. If that is happening and it's sucking in too much air the pump won't prime.
Is the water level in the pool good? I had a problem where the water level was too low, which caused gurgling sounds as it sucked in air. If that is happening and it's sucking in too much air the pump won't prime.
Cwiggs
Gold Supporter
- Aug 31, 2019
- 298
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Is your weir door jammed closed , that flap by the skimmer. If that gets stuck and you don't have a main drain, there may be where your problem is.
The o-ring was changed by the pool company so I am assumed it is lubed and the skimmer door is not stuck it’s operational
Wally oasis
Active member
My pump skimmer basket lid was cracked between the lid and the threads. Didn't see it until I turned the pump off and it sprayed water on me. You can also pour water over your valves and fittings, while the pump is running, on the suction side, to see if there is a leak.
So also there is water in the pump sight glass now—but once I turn it on the water goes to the bottom and nothing
Can we get some pictures of your equipment. There may be something not set right or worst case senerio the pump is a shot. Running dry for that many hours isn't great.
Another thing is that when I use a hose to fill up the pump it never seems to fill. I left it on for about 15 minutes and it was still at the same level. It sort of seems like a valve is not crammed right letting water pas through somewhere. Thoughts??
I'm going to turn on the pump tomorrow and pour water over the fillings and stuff and see what I get as far as a leak goes.
Try one more thing to see if pump sort of works. Close off the closest valve to the pump on the suction side, have a 5 gallon bucket full with water, turn on pump and pour the water in. Does it pump the water away then you know the pump still works and your issues are on the suction side. Then eliminate one line at a time to get the pump to prime and see which line is the one that won't let it prime.
Wally oasis
Active member
If you put a hose into the pump filter basket, and it never fills up, then that water is going back into the pool.
I see a 3/8" tube connected to the pump input pipe. That could be your leak if it's not sealed on the other end.
Also need to make sure that electric Jandy valve is open to one of the other 4 inlet pipes.
I see a 3/8" tube connected to the pump input pipe. That could be your leak if it's not sealed on the other end.
Also need to make sure that electric Jandy valve is open to one of the other 4 inlet pipes.
I’m not sure.....brought the house and everything was set. Then somehow the valves got forked up trusting that pool technicians knew what the heck was going on and could actually help me. Most are like “this is a complicated system, you don’t need this much”. Me: “Well you know what jackass, I have it—so please help”.
