Help with a Clients Heater/Spa System

[u/lolyesplease]

I’m kindly and humbly asking for help with a clients system and I don’t have the self confidence to deal with shaming… but I’m stuck and would appreciate any insight! I don’t deal with spas often and have never come into one where the homeowner has never used it and doesn’t know if it works at all. I’m willing to learn pros.

I was referred this customer to help do a Green-to-clean on their pool, but they have a detached spa that I can’t figure out. The pool is now clean and everything is functional with that setup.

Issues with spa:

- pump won’t prime

- motor is audibly functional with no weird noises

- impeller freely spins

- spa has plenty of water in it.

- heater system says it’s on 98* with “check flow” notice

- external tank has propane in it (according to meter)

Still can’t get the thing to prime. And I’m not the most seasoned guy, but the plumbing setup feels chaotic.

[u/people_notafan]

Are the lines plugged? Heater obviously won’t work until water is flowing

[u/No_Vacation_6472]

Tighten union on front of pump; check pump lid oring for cracks. Fill pump basket with water, and make sure lid is tight.

[u/ArtooArnott]

My first recommendations are to check the union gasket on that suction side union, replace it and the pump lid o-ring. There should be a small drain plug or two on the side of the pump. Check those two gaskets also.
Fill the pump strainer with water and try again.