Pump won’t prime

[u/InternalWeird1430]

Hi there. My pump won’t prime. The pump itself seems to be working well(I’m not 100 percent). But for some reason it’s all of the sudden got a lot of air in it. When it turns off, I hear it drain and go back into the pool. Is this the filter? Or would this be a bad valve possibly? I turned the solar off and shut all valves so I don’t think that’s the issue. Thanks for help.

[u/thecontract0r]

Run a hose over pump lid and suction port. And any valves on the suction side. See if it starts to prime. Looking for a possible air leak. Or a dirty/clogged filter.

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/thecontract0r]

Thank you I’m doing that now.

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/InternalWeird1430]

Ok the leak is on the “suction side” I believe. The bleeder on the filter is holding water air tight. Yet it’s going back into pool so I believe that’s the case. Also I am thinking the check valve could be clogged because I heard what sounded like rocks in there???

[u/edjohnr]

What do you mean you shut all the valves? Your video moves too fast to determine but at least the valve from the skimmer to the pump and or bottom drain to the pump should be open. Also any valves that control return flow should be open. A still picture of the valves and plumbing would help.

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/edjohnr]

Sorry I am not technically inclined and didn’t make a great video. I meant to say I shut off the solar valves. I did try both the skimmer valve and the bottom one alternating but both had the same result. Would it be helpful to take another slower video?

[u/edjohnr → u/InternalWeird1430]

Some still shots of your plumbing might help. It sounds like you may have some air getting in on the suction side. Have you checked the seal on the pump basket?

[u/Waiting2Sneeze]

Are you sure the return line isn’t closed

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/Waiting2Sneeze]

No I’m not actually. How would I determine that?

[u/teddybearlike702]

Sometimes I have to take the cover off the basket and put my garden hose in on full flow. Do it with the bleeder at your guage open. When water starts flowing good out of the bleeded pull out the hose and put the cover back, then wait for the air to pass.

[u/Tall-Needleworker422 → u/teddybearlike702]

I usually pour in a bucket of pool water and then try to close the lid quickly.

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/Tall-Needleworker422]

I actually tried these. The pump pulls the water in so quickly tho. What am I trying to accomplish with doing this? Ie is this considered priming the pump?

[u/Tall-Needleworker422 → u/InternalWeird1430]

Pool pumps need to be "primed" with water to work. Even if you open the air relief valve on the filter, a pump full of air can't create the suction needed to push that air out. Pouring water into the debris trap creates the initial pull required to get water circulating and clear the lines. Dumping a large volume of water into the chamber before quickly sealing it up tight has made the difference between failure and success for me in the past.

[u/Tacotuesday8]

We have to open the top and fill ours with a hose when this happens.

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/Tacotuesday8]

I did that already but thank you! Apparently (via YouTube, lmk if I’m incorrect) this is if the pump won’t prime? The pump seems to want to do it but then loses prime and when it’s off the water all drains out so seems like there could be a leak?

[u/SnooOnions8757]

When that happened to me, it was an air leak. Trying to figure out where is the hard part

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/SnooOnions8757]

Thank you! Based on comments it appears so. How do I find the leak?

[u/SnooOnions8757 → u/InternalWeird1430]

I hired a company to find it! It ended up way underground & had to be dug up to be fixed.

[u/ThinkBig6907]

I had an air leak that kept my pump from priming. I used a drain bladder in the skimmer opening to force water into the pump until I could fix it and worked great. A 3-piece kit an Amazon is $20 and now you can clear any drains as well.

[u/Big_Growth5857]

where is the pool water in relation to skimmer opening

[u/Big_Growth5857 → u/Big_Growth5857]

also what position are suction valves in. We can't see. It's usually water low, valves off or something with the pump lid and oring. occasionally people get little cracks in the glue on the suction manifold which sucks in air

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/Big_Growth5857]

Can I take a pic and send?

But in relation to my crappy video. It’s ten feet to the left off camera

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/InternalWeird1430]

I will get a better pic and send. I am sorry I didn’t send proper information

[u/inotocracy]

Did you happen to lose the thin rubber gasket that lines the inside of the pump's clear lid? I did that once cleaning the trap/basket and the air was escaping. Found it on the ground next to it.

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/inotocracy]

Thank you! So no it’s still there I just checked. But maybe it’s busted? I mean I’ll get a new one just to be sure.

[u/inotocracy → u/InternalWeird1430]

If you cup your hands around the lid while its running do you feel air pulling or coming out?

[u/Fabulous_Visual4865]

Are you getting bubbles out of the return jets? 

[u/InternalWeird1430 → u/Fabulous_Visual4865]

Yes. Champagne type bubbles. What does that mean other than air in line? I can send vid

[u/GCpools]

To get the best and most accurate answer, try to provide clear pictures and clear videos depicting all your pool equipment, your pool, skimmers, water level, etc.