Suggestions for troubleshooting low pool suction?

[Jay L]

I have a 13,000 gallon chlorine in-ground pool built in 2005. All original equipment except for pump which was replace a few years ago.

I noticed that my pool cleaner wasn't moving, so I did the following troubleshooting.
1. Had the filter cleaned and that did not resolve the problem.
2. Replaced the cleaner as it had many miles on it, so I bought a new one. Before I installed the new one, I tested the suction with the device they provide and the level was below MIN. I plugged the hose into the suction port anyway and the cleaner did not move. I shut down the skimmer valves and there is minimal slow movement.
3. Checked the impeller in the pump by sticking my fingers in there and didn't feel any clogs.
4. Inspected the equipment pad and don't see any leaks or drippings
5. Pump is running at full prime with just a few air bubbles near the lid which has always been the case

I also had my water features turned down, so I tested them out and they don't have the power that they used to - this applies to all the fountains at each end and along the sides. So it seems like pressure is low throughout.

Any suggestions on trouble shooting as I really don't want to have my year dug up if it's not necessary?

 

[TinFoilHat]

You need to share what all of your equipment is and what the filter media is. Put it in your signature so it's at the bottom of every post. Find it in your screen name profile. What is the pressure in your filter and has it risen to be 25% higher than when the filter is clean? If so then you might have algae that is invisible to you now but has clogged the filter. Hopefully you are using one of the recommended test kits and can post the results of your water tests. Perform an overnight chlorine lost test to determine if you have algae.
Test Kits Compared
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

 

[1poolman1]

I have a 13,000 gallon chlorine in-ground pool built in 2005. All original equipment except for pump which was replace a few years ago.

I noticed that my pool cleaner wasn't moving, so I did the following troubleshooting.
1. Had the filter cleaned and that did not resolve the problem.
2. Replaced the cleaner as it had many miles on it, so I bought a new one. Before I installed the new one, I tested the suction with the device they provide and the level was below MIN. I plugged the hose into the suction port anyway and the cleaner did not move. I shut down the skimmer valves and there is minimal slow movement.
3. Checked the impeller in the pump by sticking my fingers in there and didn't feel any clogs.
4. Inspected the equipment pad and don't see any leaks or drippings
5. Pump is running at full prime with just a few air bubbles near the lid which has always been the case

I also had my water features turned down, so I tested them out and they don't have the power that they used to - this applies to all the fountains at each end and along the sides. So it seems like pressure is low throughout.

Any suggestions on trouble shooting as I really don't want to have my year dug up if it's not necessary?

An impeller can be clogged at the perimeter and you won't feel it through the pump itself. All it takes is one or two of the vanes (usually 7 on an impeller) to be clogged for the pump to not move the correct amount of water.
Also, be sure to check the filter, as TinFoilHat recommends. What type? when was it last cleaned/backwashed? How old are the cartridges if it is that type?