ethany

LifeTime Supporter
May 23, 2009
592
Trenton NJ
Opening pool today never had this happen before…….pulled all the plugs (skimmer and returns) primed pump with water in pump basket but getting bubbles out of closest returns and nothing out of farther returns. So air in system ……I’m having day time nightmares thinking a pipe is broken underground .

I closed last year as always do….. blew out returns and fill with anti freeze.

Any ideas what this could be? Pump sounds strong, no water leaks
 
I looked at your prior pics, but did not look at previous posts to get an idea about your layout.
Post pictures of your pool, and several angles on your complete equipment area.

Does the pool loose water? (It likely would, if pipe is broken...)
By "nothing in further" do you mean no water at all, or just no air bubbles?
Do all skimmers pull water? Does the problem improve if you try closing each via their valve (if you have one), one at a time?
 
Thx for replies……. I have one skimmer and I guess not pulling water because I can’t get pump to prime. I poured a bucket of water in skimmer basket but the pump just runs.

I do get faint bubbles in further returns but mostly in the two closer returns.

You thinking it could be between skimmer and pump?
 
Check the weir door to make sure its not stuck.

Lube the pump lid gasket and union o ring before the pump.

If you have multiple suction legs (main drains ?), only pull from one leg.

do get faint bubbles in further returns but mostly in the two closer returns.
Air escapes the easiest way out, so that part is normal for the circumstances
 
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Thx for replies……. I have one skimmer and I guess not pulling water because I can’t get pump to prime. I poured a bucket of water in skimmer basket but the pump just runs.

I do get faint bubbles in further returns but mostly in the two closer returns.

You thinking it could be between skimmer and pump?
OK, I thought the pump did prime based on your initial post. If the pump is not priming, I would put a hose in the skimmer to facilitate filling the lines up and prime the pump.
 
Ok this is where I’m at……..I stuck a hose between skimmer (by the pool) toward the skimmer basket ( at the equip) turned water on and water passed through.

Next I blew the skimmer pipe with compresser from equip pad toward pool and got the air bubbles.

Next I plugged the two closest returns and blew toward far two returns……got strong air bubbles.

I still can’t get the pump basket fully primed. In fills up 3/4 and pump just runs and runs.

I also silicon all unions and connections at equip pad. No water leaks…….im at a loss
 

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Well that and the pump is all there is left. Clog maybe…… I don’t know. Seems like a suction prob since I can’t get the pump primed. The pump motor sounds normal, it’s trying to suck water but I don’t know. Should I take pump apart and sand filter?
 

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Hopefully pics help…..I put silicon on every fitting. I tried the hose in skimmer pipe to make sure pipe is full of water. Also blew the skimmer from pad to skimmer by the pool and got good air bubbles. I’m getting ready to wave the white flag and call pool service company.
 

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