Purchased a home with an inground pool a few years ago and ever since I've had trouble getting my pump to fully prime (both new and old pump). I've inspected every above-ground junction/connection/gasket to no avail. I'm wondering if my pump and filter setup (in the garage about 100 feet from the skimmer w/ just 1.5" lines) could be a factor. Alternatively, is there any possibility that my filter, which I know is undersized, could be a problem? Thanks!
Pump too far from skimmer?
- Thread starter lxjenkins
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
100 ft huh? That's a pretty good run. Any significant elevation change from the slimmer to the equipment pad? Do you have a check valve before the pump by chance?
Do you have shut off valves from the skimmer(s)?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
No significant elevation change - pretty level. No check valve to my knowledge (unless it's buried).
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Assuming the pump and filter listed in your signature are your updated pieces of equipment, I'd like to ask @mas985 for some hydraulics feedback on your priming issue. Stand by for more info.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Also, just to be safe, please post a couple pics of your equipment pad so we can see all the plumbing lines, valves, etc. Thank you.
- May 3, 2007
- 18,076
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
What is the elevation change from pool water to the pump? Distance is important but so is rise.
Ground is level so the rise is only 1-2 feet (difference in height from top of skimmer to pump). I just did a more accurate distance measurement and it's 82 feet from skimmer to pump.
- May 3, 2007
- 18,076
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Sorry just saw that was already asked.
So what exactly do you mean by "fully prime"?
Is any water flowing?
What is the filter pressure?
So what exactly do you mean by "fully prime"?
Is any water flowing?
What is the filter pressure?
The pump clearly has air in it (you can see the stream of water entering the pump basket). Filter pressure generally reads between 0-2psi. It will shoot up to around 10psi; which has typcally indicated the need to backwash. I've checked and lubed all gaskets (haven't inspected filter pressure gauge yet), done the soap test on all connections, both to no avail.
What is the pump speed?
Probably an air leak in this area (red circle).
Listen carefully near this area as the pump is turned on and off.
Check the lid gasket.
The flex pipe looks new, so there was probably a leak.
Probably an air leak in this area (red circle).
Listen carefully near this area as the pump is turned on and off.
Check the lid gasket.
The flex pipe looks new, so there was probably a leak.
No sound for that area. I did check all the fittings, including re-taping and lubing gaskets. No change.
Can you show a video of the pump starting and stopping?
What is the pump speed?
Did you check the lid gasket?
What is the pump speed?
Did you check the lid gasket?
Can you shut off the source of your water into the pump (at the other end of the flex pipe?)
Video uploaded to youtube (
Too bad. that would've made priming easy.
Everything points to a suction side leak. Often hard to find (but usually easy to fix), it still sounds like the issue.