Pump not priming

[aknpool]

So after last weeks Texas winter power failures, the pool froze over. I waited for the pool to thaw, opened the filter, it had iced inside and let it thaw as well. I didnt see any obvious damage and started the pump but it keeps failing to prime. I see it trying to push out water for the outlet so it looks like that path is ok. I don’t see any water in the inlet valves and don’t feel any sucking at the skimmer or main drain as well. So I suspect the inlet actuators and see a small crack but don’t see any water leak not sure if this explains the priming issue. Any tips on where to start looking?

 

[mknauss]

Take off the Intellivalve actuator and see if the valve is also compromised internally. Then try wrapping the valve with plastic wrap to see if that helps prime the pump.

Did you remove the drain plugs on the pump? Be sure they are installed, the oring is not compromised, and the orings are lubricated.

 

[HermanTX]

Do you think your impeller is spinning and is not blocked?
Put the plumbing in SPA mode to determine if you get any different results than when in POOL mode.
Are you filling the pump basket with water before closing the lid - then kicking on the pump?

 

[aknpool]

I believe the impeller is spinning. I can hear the noise and also feel air blowing near the pump. Prime failed in spa mode as well. In spa mode I can see air bubbles come out of the spa outlets so looks like the pump is working. I have two check valves feeding the inlet actuator, I don’t see any water in them either. The check valves don’t open their flaps at all so it looks like there is no pressure build up at all on the inlets. The actuators are operational in that they move to spa mode and pool mode openings and you can hear it click through. After I pulled the ice out of the filters, it was empty, did I need to pour water in it as well? I will take out the actuator and take a closer look.

 

[HermanTX]

When you remove the top of actuator and if all seems OK, suggest you put a hose in there to fill both the spa and pool suction pipes above your check valve. It appears those check valves are there to prevent you from losing prime.
I would also fill the filter half way up to the point where you can still put the top on and secure it with its locking band.
And before putting the top on the pump basket, fill that suction line as much as you can then secure the top.
Since you know you have a potential suction side leak due to the crack on the actuator, you need to overcome that. Putting handi-wrap around it as mentioned by Marty is a good idea to at least slow down the air suction through that crack. Also ensure your drain plugs on your pump are secure.
If none of that gets you to prime the pump then you have to look at the pump itself.

 

[aknpool]

So I removed the tip of the actuator and see the crack more closely now. It looks like the valve itself is good except for the crack. Filling up the filter half way and the pump, plastic wrapping the cracked area didn’t help. The drain plugs on the pump are secure , I never removed them. I am going to try to replace the part and try again then will try opening up the pump if it fails. Anyone know where to order the cracked valve top alone ? What will it be called ?

 

[mknauss]

Anyone know where to order the cracked valve top alone ?

Inyopools. Should be under repair parts for Jandy valves. It may be difficult to get for quite some time. Start a plan to bypass it.

 

[aknpool]

Thanks everyone. I got the replacement for the valve top and the pump has started priming.