Has my pump failed??

[Gregadaka]

I haven't been active on the forum since the pandemic. Yes- guilty as charged. The advice here has been so good, that I have managed without the need to seek any I suppose. Now I have a problem. I have a Zodiak MX6 pool vacuum. I attach it to the skimmer suction and it's been really reliable for the last nearly 3 years. In the last year though, I noticed that it sometimes stops working. I have to switch the flow at the pump to draw 100% from the bottom for a while. It then "clears" and the skimmer works again. A couple of months ago, the problem was unfixable, so I called a pool company whom I trust. The chap fiddled with the valves, let out some air and got it going again. He noted that there must be a lot of leaves in the return pipe as well as air in the system. He also noted that the motor must have overheated from running dry for more than 6 hours on more than one occasion. He said that was why the motor was now leaking around the outflow pipe ( see picture). He charged me nothing but advised that I get a new pump ASAP. Yesterday I found that my Zodiac was hardly moving. I thought it may need new bearings and/ or tracks. Then I saw that the suction in my skimmer inflow was almost nothing. Also, the flow from my return nozzle in the pool was bearly returning anything. The pump motor still sounds strong and the water is surging in the window, but the pressure at the filter is nearly zero (see picture). Is the pump on its last legs? Do I need to start searching for a new pump + how to install one - here on the forum?
As always, any advice is welcome.
Cheers!
Greg.

 

[Poolbreh]

It sounds like a clogged intake line or impeller, or intake leak. Do you get pressure when you’re suctioning from the MD?

 

[Gregadaka]

It sounds like a clogged intake line or impeller. Do you get pressure when you’re suctioning from the MD?

I'm going to sound ignorant, but whats' the MD?

 

[Poolbreh]

Main drain

 

[Gregadaka]

Thanks Poolbreh,
The pressure is just as low when I switch to the main drain.

 

[Poolbreh]

Points to an intake leak or clogged impeller, you can feel around the impeller with tweezers while the pump is off. If the impeller is good, you will need to pinpoint air intake leak.

 

[Gregadaka]

Points to an intake leak or clogged impeller, you can feel around the impeller with tweezers while the pump is off. If the impeller is good, you will need to pinpoint air intake leak.

Thank you so much Poolbreh!
I turned off the power and then cleaned the impeller using the "wire hanger technique"..
I was a bit disappointed, because only a few tiny palm nuts were there (see picture). However, when I turned the pump on again, the pressure was back to normal. Fantastic result!
Once again thanks so much!