Pool Pump not Priming

[trichmo1]

My hayward superpump is no longer priming. Replaced the o ring and lid. Cleaned cartridge filter. Pump runs and impellar is freely spinning. Filled catch basin with water prior to installing lid and starting and all it does is suck water out of catch basin then doesn't pull any more from the skimmer. Tried to pull water from spa and then pool and neither route would work to prime the pump. Can't find any leaks in above ground plumbing.
Had a pool equipment co come out and the senior (30+ years experience) guy can't figure out what to do. He replaced seals inside pump and the one diverter ahead of the pump and still no priming.
When I did pull the lid off the filter and ran the pump I could get a little flow to the filter through the pump but not much, however it was steady small flow.

Not sure where to head next so any ideas would be much appreciated.

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Well, if we assume everything checked before is good (pump basket O-ring in good shape AND lubed), good motor seals and impeller moving well, that leaves the following to consider:
- Pump basket drain plug(s) O-rings serviceable and lubed
- Pool water level sufficient
- Skimmer(s) weir doors operating properly and not blocking water flow
- Possible blockage in the suction line
- Suction line leak allowing air into the system inhibiting water "pull" - much like trying to drink from a cracked straw.

You can start there and let us know if there are any changes or updates.

 

[trichmo1]

Thanks for welcoming me to the forum.
All of the suggested checks are good so I think I am down to the diverter valve being the possible culprit. I can stick a water hose down the skimmer with a water bladder attached and get the pump to prime pretty quickly (have to turn the spa/pool valve to halfway between the two). Seems kind of weird but that is what works.
Now for the part I believe is an indication of the real problem. Once I get the pump primed I turn the pool/spa valve to pool only and it runs perfectly.
Then when I turn the pump off all the water drains out of the cartridge filter (can hear it pouring out). Seems to be going out the waste line.
There is a diverter valve between the pump and the filter which I wonder if it is faulty in some way?

 

[jblizzle]

Could be a blockage on the return side as well. Since opening the filter allowed for some small amount of flow.

Can you provide any pictures?
Look inside the valve between the pump and filter.

 

[Roberge01]

This sounds like what my in ground set up was doing this summer. My issue ended up being the suction line under ground was almost fully clogged with dirt and leaves and other debris from over the years. Blew out the line with compressed air and everything works fine now, lots of flow. Cheap and easy fix, a shop-vac style vacuum will work if you don't have access to compressed air.

 

[trichmo1]

priming issue fixed!
Well, turns out it was a main seal on the pump itself. Replaced and now holds tight!
onto my next issue, heater.

thanks to all for the suggestions!

 

[Texas Splash]

Glad to hear it.