Pump not holding prime

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Nickpooch

Well-known member
Apr 17, 2020
64
New Jersey
Pool Size
28000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hi guys,

My pump is having issues holding prime. Literally the only way for me to get it to work is by priming it with a hose for 1 min or so. However , once the pump is shut off it immediately needs prime again (I’m taking like 10 seconds of me turning pump off and then trying to turn back on and it won’t.)

I just ordered a replacement lid and oring to start there. Any other suggestions to narrow the issue down.

**I’ll throw in there that my liner just got replaced a month ago and there was issues with ground water drainage. Not sure if that has anything to do with anything.

All the return jets and skimmers are working fine with normal pressure .
 

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Nickpooch said:
Any other suggestions to narrow the issue down.
Click to expand...
When you find that after turning off the system, the water drains out of the pump pot, you have an air leak somewhere at the pad. Do not expect to see water pushing out, it may not, but air CAN get it. It happened to me 3 weeks ago with a 3-way valve's tiny O-ring. So take your time and go from the suction line that comes out of the ground to the pump and follow everything along the way until the pressure/return lines go back into the ground towards the pool. Check every connection, O-ring, fitting, etc. Somewhere air is seeping in.
 
Texas Splash said:
When you find that after turning off the system, the water drains out of the pump pot, you have an air leak somewhere at the pad. Do not expect to see water pushing out, it may not, but air CAN get it. It happened to me 3 weeks ago with a 3-way valve's tiny O-ring. So take your time and go from the suction line that comes out of the ground to the pump and follow everything along the way until the pressure/return lines go back into the ground towards the pool. Check every connection, O-ring, fitting, etc. Somewhere air is seeping in.
Click to expand...
The water doesn’t drain out of the pump pot at all actually . Just when I go to turn the pump on it hums so after 5 second I turn it off so it doesn’t run dry . If I let it run like 10 seconds or so the pump auto shuts off because it’s hot
 
Nickpooch said:
when I go to turn the pump on it hums so after 5 second I turn it off so it doesn’t run dry
Click to expand...
Usually when someone says it's "humming" that means the pump motor isn't even coming on. But I get the feeling you are saying it's running dry. In other words, any water in the pump gets sucked out immediately and new water doesn't make it to the pump. Is that right?
 
I have to go in a few, so I wanted to post this now in case you confirm the pump motor does in fact operate.

So the pump operates, but water isn’t entering the pot from the suction line. Here are my recommendations:
1. Make sure the skimmer weir door is not jammed.
2. Check pool’s waterline to ensure it’s high enough.
3. Check for potential obstruction. Just about anything small can cause a blockage between the skimmer and pump.
4. Any of the valves ahead of the pump could go bad either letting air in to disrupt suction, or could’ve broken inside. You think it’s open but it’s actually not, so don’t rule those out.
5. Always check the basics at the pump: Lid O-ring serviceable with pool silicone lube, drain plug(s) as well.
6. Check the fitting at the pump inlet as well.
7. Might not hurt to reach in the pot (power OFF) to see if anything is tangled around the impeller of the pump.
 
Nickpooch said:
Nope the water stays in but pump tries to start then after 5 seconds it just shuts down automatically.
Click to expand...
Then that does sound like a bad capacitor. There's a cap under that hump on the motor. There may also be another one at the rear of the motor behind the cover. Check both areas and replace those caps if you are comfortable doing so. They are not very expensive and relatively easy to replace if you are comfortable doing so. Power off of course. Check YouTube for pool pump capacitor and you'll see what I mean.
 
In the meantime, while the system is down, be sure to add liquid chlorine each day and brush it around really well to try and avoid a major algae mess. If you have a portable submersible pump, you can drop that in there to help stir the water around.
 

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Texas Splash said:
Then that does sound like a bad capacitor. There's a cap under that hump on the motor. There may also be another one at the rear of the motor behind the cover. Check both areas and replace those caps if you are comfortable doing so. They are not very expensive and relatively easy to replace if you are comfortable doing so. Power off of course. Check YouTube for pool pump capacitor and you'll see what I mean.
Click to expand...
Yup I’ve replaced a capacitor on AC unit . Appreciate it
 
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Vid never posted. Was able to get to the one capacitor under the “hump.” The other one has a rusted bolt I gotta figure how to get off.

Cant read the specs on capacitor anyone have idea what I should order to replace
 

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