I was told a return side leak could never cause a pump to not prime. I tried everything else until today when I finally fixed it!
Short story:
My basket was full of air. The skimmer was pulling in water very slowly. Despite the pressure being high (30 PSI when running at 3300 RPM) on the filter gauge, water would just dribble out of the pressure relief valve.
Having exhausted everything else aside from taking apart the pump and digging up the plumbing to look for pipes, and because I figured I would have to change it soon anyway, I gave it a go and replaced it.
Once I did that, my basket filled up to the top with water. My skimmer was pulling water so fast I had a small vortex like before when the water level was a little low.
My theory is that water goes into my filter at an inlet above the o-ring seal, and exits the filter at an outlet below the o-ring. Somehow the water passing the o-ring causes the filter to actually suck air in. This incoming air pressure constantly fights the incoming water pressure, and because of this the basket and filter cannot fill completely with water.
Anyways, I am happy I finally fixed this issue and I thought I would write this post in case others faced the same issue.
Also, about 6 months prior the basket level dropped to about 50%. At the same time I replaced the slide part of the slide valve on my filter. It had a tiny leak and water would come out sometimes, not to mention the entire handle broke and I could not backwash. After replacing this I did notice basket water level raised to about 75%. I mentioned this to the local pool nerd at the store, but he dismissed it as having anything to do with the basket water level.
Short story:
My basket was full of air. The skimmer was pulling in water very slowly. Despite the pressure being high (30 PSI when running at 3300 RPM) on the filter gauge, water would just dribble out of the pressure relief valve.
- I replaced the strainer o-ring. No change.
- I put silicone caulk on all exposed plumbing connections in case there was a tiny leak. No change.
- I put silicone lube on the gasket for the two drain plugs on the pump. Now water would shoot out the pressure relief valve when I opened it. Other than that, no change.
- I put silicone lube on the gasket for the union fitting in front of the pump. No change.
Having exhausted everything else aside from taking apart the pump and digging up the plumbing to look for pipes, and because I figured I would have to change it soon anyway, I gave it a go and replaced it.
Once I did that, my basket filled up to the top with water. My skimmer was pulling water so fast I had a small vortex like before when the water level was a little low.
My theory is that water goes into my filter at an inlet above the o-ring seal, and exits the filter at an outlet below the o-ring. Somehow the water passing the o-ring causes the filter to actually suck air in. This incoming air pressure constantly fights the incoming water pressure, and because of this the basket and filter cannot fill completely with water.
Anyways, I am happy I finally fixed this issue and I thought I would write this post in case others faced the same issue.
Also, about 6 months prior the basket level dropped to about 50%. At the same time I replaced the slide part of the slide valve on my filter. It had a tiny leak and water would come out sometimes, not to mention the entire handle broke and I could not backwash. After replacing this I did notice basket water level raised to about 75%. I mentioned this to the local pool nerd at the store, but he dismissed it as having anything to do with the basket water level.
