i don't usually leave comments on videos. but i had to on this one! This video is 7 years old at the time of me finding it, and i am sooooo grateful! After recently purchasing a home with a large pool that i had no idea how to maintain i relied on a pool cleaning service company that charged me an arm and a leg every time i called them out for a 'problem' that they'd seem to fix in a matter of minutes! Today i decided (after realising these call out fees were not going to be sustainable) to come on to this platform and just look for possible solutions to what i can describe as the problem - because i don't even know the names of the different instruments/parts and oh my did you save me! My pool suction wasn't working (priming as i learnt in this video) and within a minute you solved my problem with solution number 3! I didn't realise that basket inside the actual pump system also gets full and needs cleaning, id just been clearing the basket by the actual cleaner (kreepy krauly attachment). I immediately opened that apparatus and was shocked at how full that basked was! i cleared it out and cleaned it properly and my pool is running perfectly again! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!
I can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve left comments for DIY stuff but this was rock solid troubleshooting, saved time and money, pump running great now! Seems to have been a dry seal that was leaking, lubed with silicone and magic, problem solved. THANK YOU!
Adding water to skimmer basket finally worked for me..... again! One thing I did different this time was closing all the suction lines, but one (main drain), and opening the skimmers one at a time after pump was primed, until I got those lines primed. I had a suspicion that air was trapped in the skimmer lines because my water line was low. Thanks to this video and some comments that helped me figure this out!
Just a suggestion to keep your spa chemistry balanced with the pool. I assume your system is plumbed with ball valves to control things. Try opening your spa drain 1/4 of the way and closing each of your pool drains 1/8th. Ideally your spa drain should run through your system too so your chemistry is balanced to your pool. You may have to try different adjustments to get it all flowing correctly but it should make your entire system more efficient.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. In just a few minutes after watching your video i fixed the problem that took my nephew and i the whole morning to try and fix. Thanks a million ❤
Worked great!!! Thank you. I believe the problem after checking for air leaks was that I wasn’t filling the basket with water for long enough. I did it for 2-3 minutes and it worked.
Do you have a valve between the suction line and the skimmer box inlet? I'm filling the stainer box but it looks like the water just goes out to the pool
I agree, best video I have watched on this topic. 2 year old pool and this message populated on my Pentair pump after I cleaned out my filters. All I needed to do was pour water in the pump its-self as shown for 3 minutes. Everything works like it did before. Thank you for your help!
This video saved me a $200 service call. Found an acorn blocking the pump! Using a garden hose pressuring water through and combination of my long fingers and coat hanger to dislodge. Was sooo happy when I was successful. Thank you !!
At 3:03 no, you shouldn’t use plumbers tape on union fitting thread. Threads are not tapered, they aren’t meant to create a seal. Seal is created by the o ring. Using Plumbers tape here can actually interfere and lower the pulling force needed to seal the o ring.
Does anyone know the reason why a pool pump won't fill up with water, I keep hose on for 10-15 min even more and water just keeps going in to pipe coming from pool skimmer, I usually keep the water level on skimmer at least half way so there is plenty of water in the pool. I don't think there is a pipe leak since the water level seems to be normal all the time, i can't figure this out and i have issues with pump priming, what should I do?
Just have to say THANK YOU! I could not figure out the issue with my new pump, watched tons of videos and this is the first one that helped me solve the problem. Super helpful and I really appreciate it as a pool rookie.
Brand new Intex pool with sand filter. I prime the pump, start the backwash process and it works for a few seconds before the pump skimmer bakest gets low water. I put water in the bakest and turn the pump back on and the same thing happens. I even put Teflon tape on all the hose connections to make sure there was no air leaks and still nothing. Help!
extremally informative and useful. Reviewer, John Precopia had the fix for my problem by mentioning the skimmer door issue. It worked. Your tips for checking also helped me find a few other issues that I was able to prevent just by checking. Thanks
Thanks for this video! I never would have thought to check the pump impeller as there are 2 filter baskets before it but sure enough, there were a bunch of pine needles that had made it through and were in the way.
OK got a question concerning the step 2 on troubleshooting, don't what you mentioned about filling basket BUT that just gets sucked dry and then again no water flow.. I kinda reminded me on some things that vapor lock , so what do you suggest now.
Im having the same problem pump is full of water turn it on water pulls out and new water comes in but wont fill up and not priming and when you turn the pump off the basket fills back up with water
this is would be v helpful if i had a pump with a skimmer. unfortunately the one i got doesnt have a skimmer and sits above in ground pool spa. the old spa has a hose connector above which perhaps is used for priming and pumping the water into pipe but we cant work it out. any tips? thanks
Is the video of the pump running with the pocket of air how it should look or not? Ours looks similar but wasn’t sure if that was too much air in the pump?
My pre-filter lid only rotates about a half an inch to lock, maybe 10°. It looks like the lid in this video rotates about 30°---should mine rotate further?
Wow...just did what you said exactly. Worked perfect. Thank you sooooo much. I subscribed. Let strainers go way to clogged. Darn it. Got it in calendar now. Thx again!!
Thank you so much for this video! My pump wouldn’t prime so I had added a bunch of water, but forgot to reseal the pool pot lid. That simple fix did the trick.
hi all i cannot find a replacement part for Sp-1610-C, are there any replacement parts that are exactly the same? all i can find are impeller that are much thinner than my original, will those still work? thanks in advance
Unfortunately, the SP1610C impeller was discontinued by Hayward. If you have the Hayward Super Pump, there is an upgrade kit. The part number is 5110-53. www.inyopools.com/Products/07501352011066.htm
My Problem solved! I had to remove my pool pump to clear out the turbine vanes. But once I put the pump back on, there was no prime. This video had the answer. Thank You!
Your videos help me so much as a new pool owner. My pool isn’t new, I’m new to owning one lol and it looks like I’m going to need to figure out where air is getting in my system
None of this is working for me. I am feeling the pump basket with water but it just keeps going out and never fills up. I don't know if he's trying to fill the pipes in the pool or not
I effectively initiated the pump's operation by adhering to a meticulous procedure. Initially, I ascertained that all the levers situated near the pump basket were in a closed position. Subsequently, I proceeded to fill the pump with water and securely fastened the lid. Finally, I reopened the levers and activated the pump. The priming process was successfully completed within an approximate timeframe of 10 minutes. Alternatively, you may consider acquiring a self-priming pool pump.
My pool pad is about 24" above the pool water level, and 12" above the spa level. The spa holds its level when the system is off. Please explain if the filter pump housing is supposed to hold its water for the 16 hours the system is off. It drains back down to the spa level, and the pump has to pull up a 12" column at startup -- takes about 30 sec. No suction leaks I can detect. Is this normal priming? Are the seals wearing during the 30 sec?
You'd have to have a perfect vacuum seal to maintain prime with no pressure for that long. If the pump isn't losing prime while running, and it can prime itself, there shouldn't be an issue.
I had a new single speed Hayward one horsepower pump installed for my inground pool a number of months ago. From the beginning it was making too much noise I felt, and it had a large maybe 4 inch air bubble under the lid. The installer said that's because this pump draws more water than the previous one and it's not getting enough water flow from the 2 inch piping, and/or let it run overnight to get the air out all sorts of stuff. From the beginning when locking the lid it would only turn about half an inch to lock recently it was losing its prime overnight, and starting again in the morning and would run dry for I don't know how long before noticed it a couple times and stop the pump open the lid added more water and when I restarted it would prime again after a little while. But after I used Magic Lube II silicone that I had on hand and the bubble became about 1 inch diameter and the pump was quieter, and it kept its prime overnight. I was annoyed that the installer gave all sort of excuses when it was really just it needed lubricant or the the lid wasn't right to begin with. I pointed this out to the pool guy this morning, and he said that he services several other pools with the same pump, and the lid will rotate 90° to lock, which is my expectation based on previous pumps. So is this a defective lid or the wrong lid for the pump? I paid for a new pump. Early on when I asked the installer about the small travel to lock it he said that's normal, but I have my doubts. I see the lid on your pump looks like it rotates about 30°.
Quick question man on the second step are you able to do this with all brand of pumps cause my dad said I’m not supposed to do this step but I think that’s our problem 💀
Just wanted to join in and say thanks for the video. It was either the "fill the strainer basket for 2-3 minutes" or the "check the strainer cover" that solved mine. But it definitely did the trick, lol. Thanks again.
Thank You So Muchhhh. I installed a New Pump and Couldnt Figure out why it wasnt Working, "AKA" PRIMMING. I Didnt Know WHEN U install a new Pump U have to fill up the Pump With Water🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️... Seen This Video and fixed everything. I Put the water hose on in through the basket and ran it for 2 min to 3 min Like you Guys Said and Wallaaahhhh... I had called a Pool guy that was going to charge me $140 bucks just to come out and Check it Out... Thank You So Muchhh..... You Guys Saved Me!!!!!!🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Great video! I now only lose suction when vacuuming using a vac skim plate. Noticed in your video that plastic connections in plumbing and pump strainer lid all have rubber gaskets. Logical , effective. But no gasket between skim vac plate and where it seats down in skimmer. Why not? I put poolvacsaver gasket on vac plate and it rocks! Has anyone else thought of this?
What would cause my pump to loose prime only while backwashing or rinsing? If it's on filter then it runs fine but then when I go to backwash it's like it runs out of water.
A 10-year-old pump should still prime well. Normally, it would be a failed seal or plumbing leak on the suction side of the system. I'd also rule out a clogged impeller or partially clogged line.
@@Inyopools thanks. We ruled out clogged lines and impeller issues. But I will be working on suction side air leaks this coming week. The biggest culprit might be the connection to the pump basket. Iv’e listened, done soapy water, shaving cream test. But I am going to get that connection open and seal the hell out of it. Since I’m not going to need the get it apart until the pump goers to heaven, I’m Silicone sealing that bugger.
It primes whenever the pump fills with water but most of the time I need to release the air pressure from gauge valve until water leaks out from the pump lid cover then then close the valve and turn on the timer switch to run the pump again. May I ask what could be wrong? Thanks
my pump doesnt have water in it looks dry & cant prime but just few bubbles are coming while switiching on...should i open the lid and fill water after switching ON the pump or when its OFF??
Should my Jandy filter pump be completely free of air? I think it was before but now there is still air in it. I've replaced the locking lid (came with o-ring), new filter manifold (old one cracked) and replaced the filter cartridges but there is still air in the pump. In your video, I see air in the pump, similar to mine. thanks for the informative video.
+Steven Paniagua there may be a few small bubbles that swirl around your lid when the pump is on but that is normal. If there is an air bubble that is close to the full width of your lid or your strainer does not fill all the way then you likely have an air leak. I would again check the suction side pvc and valves for any seam air leaks.
+Inyo Pools thanks. There used to be very small bubbles but now it's like the pump only has about 90% capacity of water, still too much air. I'll check the intakes next for possible leaks.
Hi! Thanks for your video very helpful. I have a question I have an above ground Pool my pump looses prime but every time I back washes it prime comes back but after 30 min I loose it again and filter pressure goes above 20 psi . Why do you think it’s that?
Hi, it sounds like you could have a suction air leak. You'll need to check the pump lid o-ring and make sure it is properly sealed. If you have a small air leak, air pressure can build up over time in the filter tank.
Inyo Pools thanks for your quick reply! I have checked every joint with soap and water and found nothing but like you said it maybe the pump lid o-ring. If I change it for a new one and still have the problem then it might be the filter is not working properly? Thanks again
I have full suction , no leaks, but doesn't fully prime...the release valve on filter doesn't read psi and when open does not release water.. but when I plug up return line in pool, then I get psi readings and get water coming out release valve.. why is this
When was the last time you changed the sand? Also, does the filter pressure spike again even after cleaning? The fact that the pump works fine when bypassing the filter media leads me to believe the sand is too old or heavily restricting water flow. The flow can be so restricted that the pump cannot fully prime/purge the air plumbing. I suggest replacing the filter sand, especially if the sand is older than 3-4 years.
@@Inyopools dead on!!! Appreciate the response. Didn’t realize a clogged filter can do that to a pump. Always thought I had air coming in from the suction side or somewhere along the suction line. Thank You!!!
I have a above ground pool that has a round hole where the filter that came with it should go, but I want to use my sand filter and don't know how to plug the hole. Any help?
If a pump still will not prime and you have multiple suction side connections like I do, 2 Main Pool Drains, 2 Spa Drains, a Skimmer and a Vacuum, you need to shut all but one off and let it prime through that line, then open one line at a time till each primes. My 'manifold' connecting all the suction side sources, is right at the pump, 30' from the pool so there's a lot of 2" pvc running from the pool to the pump that holds a lot of air. If you have multiple suction side pick up points and you've opened the system, they'll drain back to the pool and fill with air. It's too much air for the pump to purge. Air is not a solid like water so it just won't allow the heavier water to push it out and prime the pump. If your manifold connecting these sources is right at the pool, it may prime much easier.
This is the comment that finally helped me figure it out. I have 2 main pool drains, 1 spa drain, and 2 skimmers on the suction side. I know it wasn't the spa drain because that is always off. I suspected it was one (or both) of the skimmers that had a lot of air in the line because I let the water line go low below the skimmer line. So I shut those lines off and tried to prime the pump thru the main drain. Thank You!!
Great video. I just bought and installed a new "Hayward Turbo Flo II" above ground pump. I turned on the power, and it ran for seconds and stopped, then it kept starting and stopping again and again. I am not sure this is normal or not, I have to turn off the power, The old one died due to no water was pumped and some part was too hot and burned. This is self-priming pump. the continuous start/stop is to vacuum the air in the pipe?
my question is can the pump seal/gasket cause a “suction” leak or be enough to pull in air and cause the pump not to prime? I’ve fixed everything on suction side, Pump Union O ring, Pump lid O ring, 3 way valve O ring, Siliconed the Plumbing Joints. No luck.
The shaft seal is after the impeller, making it part of the pressure side plumbing. I've never heard of a bad shaft seal allowing enough air into the system to cause priming issues.
In most cases, it is a sign that something is wrong. It could potentially get worse and cause the pump to run dry. If it is a single speed pump, I would fix the problem. If it is a 2-speed or variable speed pump running on low, it may not be an issue as long as the water level does not continue to drop.
Good video! I'm having this problem, pump not priming, I already did all those steps, and still not working. I put water in the basket before the pump and it never fills up... so my guess is there's a leak somewhere in the suction line between the pol and the equipment... do you agree? If so, any idea how much it could cost to repair? thanks!
It's very likely that you have a suction leak. You can actually use suds from soapy water to help locate the leak. Place the suds on glued fittings and valves and observe if the suds are being sucked in. You can then proceed to fix the problem area if you're handy, or get quotes from a local pool services.
Thank you , my question is this what happens when the moter is running but the pipe pool is not running? The pipe pool not running while i m already clean the backets but the pipe still not running
We'll assume that you've primed the pump with water. The most common causes for a pump not to hold a prime would be a suction side air leak or a clogged pipe. Check out our article titled "Why Are My Pool Jets Not Working?". www.inyopools.com/Blog/pool-jets-not-working/
Pretty good video but I didn't see any mention of the by-pass valve (Jandy valves) coming from the skimmer and bottom drain. I have two separate valves and these valves have o-rings in the top cover as well as the shaft for the gate. My problem is, when I attempt to vacuum the pool the pump loses vacuum, after a few seconds of vacuuming, and the vacuum pops off the skimmer and the pump loses prime. After I allow the pump to regain prime, it will start picking up debris again until it loses prime again. VERY ANNOYING!!!! When I opened the valve I found the gate and handle have been moved and, when in the open position, the gate does not cover the lubrication hole in the side of the valve case, maybe another place where a small air leak is occurring. I would like to know how to remove and replace the lubricating mechanism. Then I can install the gate correctly and eliminate any leaks in this area. Any advise would be appreciated.
my pump stays primed until I turn the valve to run the skimmer. Anything more than slightly opening the skimmer I lose prime and it primes when skimmer valve is closed. Is this a leak in the skimmer line? What do I do if the leak isn’t above ground?
It may do that initially but it should slowly start to fill the strainer pot. It may take a minute or two. Make sure when you fill the strainer pot with the hose that you let it run for a minute or so. That will allow the pipes to fill up with some water. Another thing you can do is close the main drain or skimmer when the pump is trying to prime. Preferably the one that is furthest from the pump. This will put less strain on the pump. Once it is primed, you can open up the port that was closed.
I have a sand filter for my above ground pool and while it's on filter mode it spits sand back into the pool. Is there anything you can thing of besides the laterals that could be the problem? Could it be that I didn't have Enough sand?
A cracked standpipe could be the issue. But this is a problem that is only really figured out after you open the tank and look at the filter's guts. - MGS
I never used a pump, and when I first time turned my Intex sand filter pump on it does not work. It makes noise but won't suck water and the PSI meter shows 0 pressure. I'm 1000% sure I made everything what I should (watched tutorials and troubleshooting guides) and there is no explanation nowhere why it wont suck water. It never been used, I now know what every mode does and how it works and what can go wrong and everything seems fine, but still it won't suck water. This is frustrating, second day I'm looking for some answears what is wrong, but there seems to be no explanation on the internet about a case like mine.
I have a pond with a bottom drain..the bottom drain to the pump is an L shape and it won't prime.. I sealed all the pvc pipe and the water is filled all the way.. it sucks all the water out right away ...I dont know what to do? It's brand new
You probably have a suction side air leak. The most common cause is a bad o-ring on the pump lid. Try replacing that o-ring. If that doesn't work, check the fitting going into the pump and the diverter valves in front of the pump.
I have an unusual problem. My pump primes every morning when it comes on no problem. However, if I used the spa the night before the pump doesn't prime the next morning when it comes on. I end up having to prime it manually by pouring water into it. The valves are automatic actuator. This just started happening out of the blue, nothing was changed.
Checked all of these things and nothing is working, I had a hose sit inside the basket for 20 minutes now and the water level doesn’t change and I moved the diverter valve in every position
@@Inyopools with the valves open the basket never fills up. I’ve left a hose in there for more than 5 minutes and the water level drops several inches before I can even put the lid back on. I’ve been scouring the internet and cannot find a solution and all the TH-cam comments about this same problem are never addressed even in this very comment section. 😔
A Jandy valve pulling air on the suction side (before pump) could prevent the pump from priming. If it is leaking water on the pressure side, it would not lose prime while running. However, a leaky valve on the pressure side could cause the system to lose prime when the pump shuts off.
@@Inyopools Alright thanks, I'm going to look at all 3 of them, because something is filling the filter with air and more so when the spa has been running.
If you are having any priming issues you may want to check out our video on how to fix Pool Pump Priming Issues here th-cam.com/video/UgXzHO16jxc/w-d-xo.html ~pjp
You want the pump inlet to be below the level of the suction side plumbing coming in to it. If you lose prime with the pump elevated, the pump has to work harder to pull the water uphill via vacuum. You want water in that pump just as soon as you can get it in there.
If you're asking how to open the pump without water flowing out of the pipes on your inground pool, Open the air relief on your filter to purge it of water. Purging the water will lower pressure in the system and make it easier to open your pump lid.
I think I had this problem from a low water level as you point out, but I am still puzzled about the cause since the intake ports in the skimmer, return ports and drains are still below the waterline?
Fill the strainer, then immediately replace the lid, then start the pump. Give it a few seconds to build prime. If you have a clear strainer lid, you will be able to see water entering the strainer from the sction side and
hear a different pitch from the pump motor. When the strainer cavity is full of water, it will take a minute or so to expel the remaining air that is inside the lid, unless you have a suction side leak. You can then open the air relief valve at the top of the filter and let all the air in there discharge, When a solid stream of water comes out, close the valve. You should be good to go at this point.
OMG thankyou. all the other videos were terrible, i was looking for air release valves that didn't exist on my zodiac unit, but all i needed to do was fill the pumps basket with water! Thanks!!!
I was able to get my pump to prime, it worked for a week then just stopped filling with water. I’m able to “fix” it each time, but a day or two later it happens again. Help?!
I believe the problem you may have is air able to enter your system at a fitting it connection. When your pump is running, if there's water leaking anywhere that's also a place where air will enter the system when it's idle, not running. No matter where this occurs, it can cause your pump to lose prime. The length of time it takes is related to the size of the air/water leak. Your time frame suggests a small leak letting air into your system causing water to drain back to the pool. Most often these leaks appear above ground around your pump, heater and filter hardware. The higher up above the ground, the less likely it is that you'll see a water leak. If you don't see one with the pump running, carefully check your filter cover seals including the guage fitting and the top wing nut holding your cover on. If your pump doesn't run every day the problem will be worse. Good luck.
i don't usually leave comments on videos. but i had to on this one! This video is 7 years old at the time of me finding it, and i am sooooo grateful! After recently purchasing a home with a large pool that i had no idea how to maintain i relied on a pool cleaning service company that charged me an arm and a leg every time i called them out for a 'problem' that they'd seem to fix in a matter of minutes!
Today i decided (after realising these call out fees were not going to be sustainable) to come on to this platform and just look for possible solutions to what i can describe as the problem - because i don't even know the names of the different instruments/parts and oh my did you save me! My pool suction wasn't working (priming as i learnt in this video) and within a minute you solved my problem with solution number 3! I didn't realise that basket inside the actual pump system also gets full and needs cleaning, id just been clearing the basket by the actual cleaner (kreepy krauly attachment). I immediately opened that apparatus and was shocked at how full that basked was! i cleared it out and cleaned it properly and my pool is running perfectly again! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!
We really appreciate the feedback. Our goal with all our content is to help the DIY pool owner.
Cleared the impeller and my issue cleared up instantly. Thanks for the video from 8 years ago!
Great to hear!
I can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve left comments for DIY stuff but this was rock solid troubleshooting, saved time and money, pump running great now! Seems to have been a dry seal that was leaking, lubed with silicone and magic, problem solved. THANK YOU!
After batling for 2 weeks with low suction, pool water clear but full of sand on the bed, then boom, I came across this video. Thanks God for you!
Adding water to skimmer basket finally worked for me..... again! One thing I did different this time was closing all the suction lines, but one (main drain), and opening the skimmers one at a time after pump was primed, until I got those lines primed. I had a suspicion that air was trapped in the skimmer lines because my water line was low. Thanks to this video and some comments that helped me figure this out!
Just a suggestion to keep your spa chemistry balanced with the pool. I assume your system is plumbed with ball valves to control things. Try opening your spa drain 1/4 of the way and closing each of your pool drains 1/8th. Ideally your spa drain should run through your system too so your chemistry is balanced to your pool. You may have to try different adjustments to get it all flowing correctly but it should make your entire system more efficient.
@@sradieHi there when i open the spa drain , i loose all the water from the spa to the pool my check valve is working. thank you
Oh wow, literally filling the pump with water solved my issue. Saved me whatever bill it woulda cost me for someone to do a service call. Thank you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
In just a few minutes after watching your video i fixed the problem that took my nephew and i the whole morning to try and fix.
Thanks a million ❤
Glad we could help!
Worked great!!! Thank you. I believe the problem after checking for air leaks was that I wasn’t filling the basket with water for long enough. I did it for 2-3 minutes and it worked.
Do you have a valve between the suction line and the skimmer box inlet? I'm filling the stainer box but it looks like the water just goes out to the pool
I agree, best video I have watched on this topic. 2 year old pool and this message populated on my Pentair pump after I cleaned out my filters. All I needed to do was pour water in the pump its-self as shown for 3 minutes. Everything works like it did before. Thank you for your help!
We're glad to hear your pump is primed and running great!
Trying to run and prime your pump "dry" voids the warranty btw it actually states that on most pump lids
This video saved me a $200 service call. Found an acorn blocking the pump! Using a garden hose pressuring water through and combination of my long fingers and coat hanger to dislodge. Was sooo happy when I was successful. Thank you !!
We love to hear that!
At 3:03 no, you shouldn’t use plumbers tape on union fitting thread. Threads are not tapered, they aren’t meant to create a seal. Seal is created by the o ring. Using Plumbers tape here can actually interfere and lower the pulling force needed to seal the o ring.
Does anyone know the reason why a pool pump won't fill up with water, I keep hose on for 10-15 min even more and water just keeps going in to pipe coming from pool skimmer, I usually keep the water level on skimmer at least half way so there is plenty of water in the pool. I don't think there is a pipe leak since the water level seems to be normal all the time, i can't figure this out and i have issues with pump priming, what should I do?
Thank you so much!!! It was the O ring we had no idea who took it out. This was very helpful and fast way to find the solution
Glad it helped!
Just have to say THANK YOU! I could not figure out the issue with my new pump, watched tons of videos and this is the first one that helped me solve the problem. Super helpful and I really appreciate it as a pool rookie.
Brand new Intex pool with sand filter. I prime the pump, start the backwash process and it works for a few seconds before the pump skimmer bakest gets low water. I put water in the bakest and turn the pump back on and the same thing happens. I even put Teflon tape on all the hose connections to make sure there was no air leaks and still nothing. Help!
extremally informative and useful. Reviewer, John Precopia had the fix for my problem by mentioning the skimmer door issue. It worked. Your tips for checking also helped me find a few other issues that I was able to prevent just by checking. Thanks
Thank you for the comment. We don't always think about the skimmer door being stuck as an issue with a pump priming, but it is a fairly common issue.
Awesome video, my pump wasn't priming. Fill up with water for 2 mins and working as new. Thanks so much, you have a new subscriber.
Thanks for this video! I never would have thought to check the pump impeller as there are 2 filter baskets before it but sure enough, there were a bunch of pine needles that had made it through and were in the way.
OK got a question concerning the step 2 on troubleshooting, don't what you mentioned about filling basket BUT that just gets sucked dry and then again no water flow.. I kinda reminded me on some things that vapor lock , so what do you suggest now.
I having the exact same problem
Im having the same problem pump is full of water turn it on water pulls out and new water comes in but wont fill up and not priming and when you turn the pump off the basket fills back up with water
Me as well how do i fix this
this is would be v helpful if i had a pump with a skimmer. unfortunately the one i got doesnt have a skimmer and sits above in ground pool spa. the old spa has a hose connector above which perhaps is used for priming and pumping the water into pipe but we cant work it out. any tips? thanks
Is the video of the pump running with the pocket of air how it should look or not? Ours looks similar but wasn’t sure if that was too much air in the pump?
My pre-filter lid only rotates about a half an inch to lock, maybe 10°. It looks like the lid in this video rotates about 30°---should mine rotate further?
Primed mine and it worked like a champ since.
Wow...just did what you said exactly. Worked perfect. Thank you sooooo much. I subscribed. Let strainers go way to clogged. Darn it. Got it in calendar now. Thx again!!
I'm glad we could help, and thank you for the Sub!
WOW this works. added water in the filter basket and it worked. you have a subscriber for life from South Africa
Thank you so much for this video! My pump wouldn’t prime so I had added a bunch of water, but forgot to reseal the pool pot lid. That simple fix did the trick.
That's great! Glad we could help.
hi all
i cannot find a replacement part for Sp-1610-C, are there any replacement parts that are exactly the same? all i can find are impeller that are much thinner than my original, will those still work?
thanks in advance
Unfortunately, the SP1610C impeller was discontinued by Hayward. If you have the Hayward Super Pump, there is an upgrade kit. The part number is 5110-53. www.inyopools.com/Products/07501352011066.htm
Hi In the 2nd problem, is the water pump running/turned on while I'm filling water in the strainer basket?
No, the pump is not running when the hose is filling up the strainer.
@@Inyopools thank you so much.
My Problem solved! I had to remove my pool pump to clear out the turbine vanes. But once I put the pump back on, there was no prime. This video had the answer. Thank You!
Best video on pump priming issues ever!
Glad it helped!
Your videos help me so much as a new pool owner. My pool isn’t new, I’m new to owning one lol and it looks like I’m going to need to figure out where air is getting in my system
I’ll m a new pool owner of an old pool too 😂
I’m just wondering how it’s going.
I see your comment was from a year ago
None of this is working for me. I am feeling the pump basket with water but it just keeps going out and never fills up. I don't know if he's trying to fill the pipes in the pool or not
You may have a leak somewhere
I have the same issue. Did you ever figure out out
I effectively initiated the pump's operation by adhering to a meticulous procedure. Initially, I ascertained that all the levers situated near the pump basket were in a closed position. Subsequently, I proceeded to fill the pump with water and securely fastened the lid. Finally, I reopened the levers and activated the pump. The priming process was successfully completed within an approximate timeframe of 10 minutes. Alternatively, you may consider acquiring a self-priming pool pump.
2 w😂e@@anthonybeltrame-ly5oq
My pool pad is about 24" above the pool water level, and 12" above the spa level. The spa holds its level when the system is off. Please explain if the filter pump housing is supposed to hold its water for the 16 hours the system is off. It drains back down to the spa level, and the pump has to pull up a 12" column at startup -- takes about 30 sec. No suction leaks I can detect. Is this normal priming? Are the seals wearing during the 30 sec?
You'd have to have a perfect vacuum seal to maintain prime with no pressure for that long. If the pump isn't losing prime while running, and it can prime itself, there shouldn't be an issue.
Where should I leave my Vale? How to determine on off valve or skimmer?
I would switch the valves to pull water from the main drain.
You solved my problem. The strainer basket was low and just needed filling up. No other resource suggested that. Thank you!
Glad we could help!
M8ne wont fill or takes long to fill do i just keep filling?
Thanks for posting. Our father recently passed and I'm just learning how to maintain the pool at our parent's home. Your video helped a lot.
Glad to help. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us through www.Inyopools.com
Sorry for your loss! It’s a challenge to get these thugs going and maintained
Whey I'm here now
I had a new single speed Hayward one horsepower pump installed for my inground pool a number of months ago. From the beginning it was making too much noise I felt, and it had a large maybe 4 inch air bubble under the lid. The installer said that's because this pump draws more water than the previous one and it's not getting enough water flow from the 2 inch piping, and/or let it run overnight to get the air out all sorts of stuff. From the beginning when locking the lid it would only turn about half an inch to lock recently it was losing its prime overnight, and starting again in the morning and would run dry for I don't know how long before noticed it a couple times and stop the pump open the lid added more water and when I restarted it would prime again after a little while. But after I used Magic Lube II silicone that I had on hand and the bubble became about 1 inch diameter and the pump was quieter, and it kept its prime overnight. I was annoyed that the installer gave all sort of excuses when it was really just it needed lubricant or the the lid wasn't right to begin with. I pointed this out to the pool guy this morning, and he said that he services several other pools with the same pump, and the lid will rotate 90° to lock, which is my expectation based on previous pumps. So is this a defective lid or the wrong lid for the pump? I paid for a new pump. Early on when I asked the installer about the small travel to lock it he said that's normal, but I have my doubts. I see the lid on your pump looks like it rotates about 30°.
Excellent video. Can a leaky Jandy valve cause loss of prime?
Very common. Sometimes you can get away with not having to replace the oring by seeing if you can get a partial turn on each of the screws.
Yes, it is possible to have a large enough leak in a Jandy valve on the suction side to cause a loss of prime.
Quick question man on the second step are you able to do this with all brand of pumps cause my dad said I’m not supposed to do this step but I think that’s our problem 💀
Just wanted to join in and say thanks for the video. It was either the "fill the strainer basket for 2-3 minutes" or the "check the strainer cover" that solved mine. But it definitely did the trick, lol. Thanks again.
Awesome, thank you for watching!
Thank You So Muchhhh. I installed a New Pump and Couldnt Figure out why it wasnt Working, "AKA" PRIMMING. I Didnt Know WHEN U install a new Pump U have to fill up the Pump With Water🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️... Seen This Video and fixed everything. I Put the water hose on in through the basket and ran it for 2 min to 3 min Like you Guys Said and Wallaaahhhh... I had called a Pool guy that was going to charge me $140 bucks just to come out and Check it Out... Thank You So Muchhh..... You Guys Saved Me!!!!!!🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
We're glad it helped!
Does anybody know if adding water works does that eliminate the other reasons?
best video I've seen on this so far
+derek vaughn Thanks Derek!
Great video! I now only lose suction when vacuuming using a vac skim plate. Noticed in your video that plastic connections in plumbing and pump strainer lid all have rubber gaskets. Logical , effective. But no gasket between skim vac plate and where it seats down in skimmer. Why not? I put poolvacsaver gasket on vac plate and it rocks! Has anyone else thought of this?
WHATS A QUICK FIX FOR A HAIRLINE CRACK ON Diverter Valves
A good permanent fix? A new valve. For a very short temporary fix, JD Weld. Just a reminder of an old saying "A Quick Fix Can Lead To A Long Clean-up"
What would cause my pump to loose prime only while backwashing or rinsing? If it's on filter then it runs fine but then when I go to backwash it's like it runs out of water.
Can a pool pump get too old to prime well? Ours is over ten years old?
A 10-year-old pump should still prime well. Normally, it would be a failed seal or plumbing leak on the suction side of the system. I'd also rule out a clogged impeller or partially clogged line.
@@Inyopools thanks. We ruled out clogged lines and impeller issues. But I will be working on suction side air leaks this coming week. The biggest culprit might be the connection to the pump basket. Iv’e listened, done soapy water, shaving cream test. But I am going to get that connection open and seal the hell out of it. Since I’m not going to need the get it apart until the pump goers to heaven, I’m Silicone sealing that bugger.
It primes whenever the pump fills with water but most of the time I need to release the air pressure from gauge valve until water leaks out from the pump lid cover then then close the valve and turn on the timer switch to run the pump again. May I ask what could be wrong? Thanks
my pump doesnt have water in it looks dry & cant prime but just few bubbles are coming while switiching on...should i open the lid and fill water after switching ON the pump or when its OFF??
Should my Jandy filter pump be completely free of air? I think it was before but now there is still air in it. I've replaced the locking lid (came with o-ring), new filter manifold (old one cracked) and replaced the filter cartridges but there is still air in the pump. In your video, I see air in the pump, similar to mine. thanks for the informative video.
+Steven Paniagua there may be a few small bubbles that swirl around your lid when the pump is on but that is normal. If there is an air bubble that is close to the full width of your lid or your strainer does not fill all the way then you likely have an air leak. I would again check the suction side pvc and valves for any seam air leaks.
+Inyo Pools thanks. There used to be very small bubbles but now it's like the pump only has about 90% capacity of water, still too much air. I'll check the intakes next for possible leaks.
Hi! Thanks for your video very helpful. I have a question I have an above ground Pool my pump looses prime but every time I back washes it prime comes back but after 30 min I loose it again and filter pressure goes above 20 psi . Why do you think it’s that?
Hi, it sounds like you could have a suction air leak. You'll need to check the pump lid o-ring and make sure it is properly sealed. If you have a small air leak, air pressure can build up over time in the filter tank.
Inyo Pools thanks for your quick reply! I have checked every joint with soap and water and found nothing but like you said it maybe the pump lid o-ring. If I change it for a new one and still have the problem then it might be the filter is not working properly? Thanks again
@@DavidDiazXchangefd I have same issue, I can't figure out what it is, I have to back wash every 40 min
THANK YOU! This video helped me after 2 hours of trying to work out the issue myself.
Great to hear!
I have full suction , no leaks, but doesn't fully prime...the release valve on filter doesn't read psi and when open does not release water.. but when I plug up return line in pool, then I get psi readings and get water coming out release valve.. why is this
My pump fully primes when pumping to waste but only partially primes when going into filter. Any pointers on where to start
When was the last time you changed the sand? Also, does the filter pressure spike again even after cleaning?
The fact that the pump works fine when bypassing the filter media leads me to believe the sand is too old or heavily restricting water flow. The flow can be so restricted that the pump cannot fully prime/purge the air plumbing.
I suggest replacing the filter sand, especially if the sand is older than 3-4 years.
@@Inyopools dead on!!! Appreciate the response. Didn’t realize a clogged filter can do that to a pump. Always thought I had air coming in from the suction side or somewhere along the suction line. Thank You!!!
Happy to help! Have a good weekend.
I have a above ground pool that has a round hole where the filter that came with it should go, but I want to use my sand filter and don't know how to plug the hole. Any help?
If a pump still will not prime and you have multiple suction side connections like I do, 2 Main Pool Drains, 2 Spa Drains, a Skimmer and a Vacuum, you need to shut all but one off and let it prime through that line, then open one line at a time till each primes. My 'manifold' connecting all the suction side sources, is right at the pump, 30' from the pool so there's a lot of 2" pvc running from the pool to the pump that holds a lot of air. If you have multiple suction side pick up points and you've opened the system, they'll drain back to the pool and fill with air. It's too much air for the pump to purge. Air is not a solid like water so it just won't allow the heavier water to push it out and prime the pump. If your manifold connecting these sources is right at the pool, it may prime much easier.
This is the comment that finally helped me figure it out. I have 2 main pool drains, 1 spa drain, and 2 skimmers on the suction side. I know it wasn't the spa drain because that is always off. I suspected it was one (or both) of the skimmers that had a lot of air in the line because I let the water line go low below the skimmer line. So I shut those lines off and tried to prime the pump thru the main drain. Thank You!!
Great video.
I just bought and installed a new "Hayward Turbo Flo II" above ground pump. I turned on the power, and it ran for seconds and stopped, then it kept starting and stopping again and again. I am not sure this is normal or not, I have to turn off the power, The old one died due to no water was pumped and some part was too hot and burned.
This is self-priming pump. the continuous start/stop is to vacuum the air in the pipe?
Julian, are you sure have the pump on the correct voltage setting?
+Inyo Pools Thanks for the reply, you are right, it is 230v instead of 115v. I take off one hot line. Now it works.
Fantastic!
my question is can the pump seal/gasket cause a “suction” leak or be enough to pull in air and cause the pump not to prime?
I’ve fixed everything on suction side, Pump Union O ring, Pump lid O ring, 3 way valve O ring, Siliconed the Plumbing Joints. No luck.
The shaft seal is after the impeller, making it part of the pressure side plumbing. I've never heard of a bad shaft seal allowing enough air into the system to cause priming issues.
my pump is working however its not completely full. is that ok? its defiantly pumping the water tho
In most cases, it is a sign that something is wrong. It could potentially get worse and cause the pump to run dry. If it is a single speed pump, I would fix the problem. If it is a 2-speed or variable speed pump running on low, it may not be an issue as long as the water level does not continue to drop.
@@Inyopools ok thanks I actually just figured it out. One of my pipes was full of junk and I put my water hose in the pipe and blew the leaves out.
Good video! I'm having this problem, pump not priming, I already did all those steps, and still not working. I put water in the basket before the pump and it never fills up... so my guess is there's a leak somewhere in the suction line between the pol and the equipment... do you agree? If so, any idea how much it could cost to repair? thanks!
It's very likely that you have a suction leak. You can actually use suds from soapy water to help locate the leak. Place the suds on glued fittings and valves and observe if the suds are being sucked in. You can then proceed to fix the problem area if you're handy, or get quotes from a local pool services.
@@Inyopools Thank you!
Thank you , my question is this what happens when the moter is running but the pipe pool is not running? The pipe pool not running while i m already clean the backets but the pipe still not running
We'll assume that you've primed the pump with water. The most common causes for a pump not to hold a prime would be a suction side air leak or a clogged pipe. Check out our article titled "Why Are My Pool Jets Not Working?". www.inyopools.com/Blog/pool-jets-not-working/
Went through them one by one and it was the clogged pump impeller. Video saved me a couple hundred dollars!
That is great to hear. Thank you for the feedback!
great video - the issue is so frequently air getting in by not closing the cover tight enough!!
Very true!
Pretty good video but I didn't see any mention of the by-pass valve (Jandy valves) coming from the skimmer and bottom drain. I have two separate valves and these valves have o-rings in the top cover as well as the shaft for the gate. My problem is, when I attempt to vacuum the pool the pump loses vacuum, after a few seconds of vacuuming, and the vacuum pops off the skimmer and the pump loses prime. After I allow the pump to regain prime, it will start picking up debris again until it loses prime again. VERY ANNOYING!!!!
When I opened the valve I found the gate and handle have been moved and, when in the open position, the gate does not cover the lubrication hole in the side of the valve case, maybe another place where a small air leak is occurring. I would like to know how to remove and replace the lubricating mechanism. Then I can install the gate correctly and eliminate any leaks in this area. Any advise would be appreciated.
What does it mean when the screen displays "primer timeout"?? Should I be worried or does it just mean I should put more water in the basket?
my pump stays primed until I turn the valve to run the skimmer. Anything more than slightly opening the skimmer I lose prime and it primes when skimmer valve is closed. Is this a leak in the skimmer line? What do I do if the leak isn’t above ground?
I'll fill the strainer basket area with water, replace the lid and turn the pump on and the water in the strainer drops to the bottom again?
It may do that initially but it should slowly start to fill the strainer pot. It may take a minute or two. Make sure when you fill the strainer pot with the hose that you let it run for a minute or so. That will allow the pipes to fill up with some water. Another thing you can do is close the main drain or skimmer when the pump is trying to prime. Preferably the one that is furthest from the pump. This will put less strain on the pump. Once it is primed, you can open up the port that was closed.
Could too much water in the pool cause for it not too circulate as well ???
Do I fill up the strainer basket with the pump on or off?
The pump would be Off. - MGS
Off
Wow priming the filter basket for three minutes did the trick. Life saver thank you
While the pump is running, or off? It won't pull water when off, correct?
I have a sand filter for my above ground pool and while it's on filter mode it spits sand back into the pool. Is there anything you can thing of besides the laterals that could be the problem? Could it be that I didn't have Enough sand?
A cracked standpipe could be the issue. But this is a problem that is only really figured out after you open the tank and look at the filter's guts. - MGS
I forgot to put the o ring back on. Thanks for the help!!
Tips on what else it could be? None of these worked for me
I never used a pump, and when I first time turned my Intex sand filter pump on it does not work. It makes noise but won't suck water and the PSI meter shows 0 pressure. I'm 1000% sure I made everything what I should (watched tutorials and troubleshooting guides) and there is no explanation nowhere why it wont suck water. It never been used, I now know what every mode does and how it works and what can go wrong and everything seems fine, but still it won't suck water. This is frustrating, second day I'm looking for some answears what is wrong, but there seems to be no explanation on the internet about a case like mine.
Exact same story over here. Did you figure it out? I cannot figure it out myself
I have a pond with a bottom drain..the bottom drain to the pump is an L shape and it won't prime.. I sealed all the pvc pipe and the water is filled all the way.. it sucks all the water out right away ...I dont know what to do? It's brand new
We'd be glad to assist you. Is the pump lower than the body of water or above it? What is the make and model of the pump?
@@Inyopools its above it
Did you get a self-priming pump? If it's not a self-priming pump, it wont work.
@@Inyopools yes its self priming, I got it to work..I needed a ball valve on the filter side to cut the air off..thanks for your help
Thank you!!! Intake fitting not tight!!
I constantly have refill the skimmer basket or else it won’t prime, is that normal. Please advise thanks
You probably have a suction side air leak. The most common cause is a bad o-ring on the pump lid. Try replacing that o-ring. If that doesn't work, check the fitting going into the pump and the diverter valves in front of the pump.
Filled up pump basket and it started working again. Thank you very much.
I have an unusual problem. My pump primes every morning when it comes on no problem. However, if I used the spa the night before the pump doesn't prime the next morning when it comes on. I end up having to prime it manually by pouring water into it. The valves are automatic actuator. This just started happening out of the blue, nothing was changed.
Checked all of these things and nothing is working, I had a hose sit inside the basket for 20 minutes now and the water level doesn’t change and I moved the diverter valve in every position
Thank you. This was a lot cheaper than calling a technician out.
When i fill the water should i leave the valves open or closed?
You can keep the valves open since they will need to be open when the pump is turned on.
@@Inyopools with the valves open the basket never fills up. I’ve left a hose in there for more than 5 minutes and the water level drops several inches before I can even put the lid back on. I’ve been scouring the internet and cannot find a solution and all the TH-cam comments about this same problem are never addressed even in this very comment section. 😔
Thank you very much the pool pump is work. August from South Africa
Shouldn't a leaky jandy valve be on this list as well?
A Jandy valve pulling air on the suction side (before pump) could prevent the pump from priming. If it is leaking water on the pressure side, it would not lose prime while running. However, a leaky valve on the pressure side could cause the system to lose prime when the pump shuts off.
@@Inyopools Alright thanks, I'm going to look at all 3 of them, because something is filling the filter with air and more so when the spa has been running.
What a great video and the voiceover work is top class. Is this guy available for hire?
Would the elevation of the pump have any consequence on priming?
If you are having any priming issues you may want to check out our video on how to fix Pool Pump Priming Issues here th-cam.com/video/UgXzHO16jxc/w-d-xo.html ~pjp
You want the pump inlet to be below the level of the suction side plumbing coming in to it. If you lose prime with the pump elevated, the pump has to work harder to pull the water uphill via vacuum. You want water in that pump just as soon as you can get it in there.
HOW DO I OPEN THE PUMP COVER WITHOUT WATER RETURN
If you're asking how to open the pump without water flowing out of the pipes on your inground pool, Open the air relief on your filter to purge it of water. Purging the water will lower pressure in the system and make it easier to open your pump lid.
I think I had this problem from a low water level as you point out, but I am still puzzled about the cause since the intake ports in the skimmer, return ports and drains are still below the waterline?
Pump primes when in filter mode, but will not prime in backwashing
Great and informative
Thank you! Very helpful! That dang impeller was clogged!
When I take the cap off the water starts filling and than I put it back on and the water level drops
Exactly
Fill the strainer, then immediately replace the lid, then start the pump. Give it a few seconds to build prime. If you have a clear strainer lid, you will be able to see water entering the strainer from the sction side and
hear a different pitch from the pump motor. When the strainer cavity is full of water, it will take a minute or so to expel the remaining air that is inside the lid, unless you have a suction side leak. You can then open the air relief valve at the top of the filter and let all the air in there discharge, When a solid stream of water comes out, close the valve. You should be good to go at this point.
Superb video.... this is best video I have watched in pool Maintenance.
OMG thankyou. all the other videos were terrible, i was looking for air release valves that didn't exist on my zodiac unit, but all i needed to do was fill the pumps basket with water! Thanks!!!
That's great to hear! Thank you for the feedback!
Thank you very much…..I was able to prime my pu,p and get it working!!!!! Much ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
👍 🥳🎉🎆🙏
I was able to get my pump to prime, it worked for a week then just stopped filling with water. I’m able to “fix” it each time, but a day or two later it happens again. Help?!
I believe the problem you may have is air able to enter your system at a fitting it connection. When your pump is running, if there's water leaking anywhere that's also a place where air will enter the system when it's idle, not running. No matter where this occurs, it can cause your pump to lose prime. The length of time it takes is related to the size of the air/water leak. Your time frame suggests a small leak letting air into your system causing water to drain back to the pool. Most often these leaks appear above ground around your pump, heater and filter hardware. The higher up above the ground, the less likely it is that you'll see a water leak. If you don't see one with the pump running, carefully check your filter cover seals including the guage fitting and the top wing nut holding your cover on. If your pump doesn't run every day the problem will be worse. Good luck.
What a awesome video !
Glad you liked it!
Best video! Helped solve my problem
My basket wont fill?
Ok, have you done any of the troubleshooting mentioned in the video?
Awesome video. Just helped me fix a problem my boss was totally confused by 💯💯💯
That's great to hear! Glad it helped.