The pool pump is like the heart of the pool equipment system. Without it there would be no circulation within the pool and when there are issues with a pump pool water can go bad quickly. Common issues are a lack of suction, air getting into it, will not turn on or makes a loud noise. Below are some common troubleshooting check-points that should be done to determined what’s the issue and the course of action to resolve.
Check that the pump lid and gasket are on correctly and are not damaged and clear of any debris. Check pump and lid for cracks and chips.
If you experience issues in a lack of suction when vacuuming from a single pipe like the skimmer or vacuum line try cracking open the main drain pipe or any other. Cavitation can form on some pools plumbing causing a lack of suction when it’s directed 100% to one pipe. Allowing another pipe to gain some suction allows more water to flow into the pump keeping prime on all pipes and maximizing suction.
Swimming pool equipment
Another cause for lack of suction from a skimmer port while vacuuming is an ozonator. Check to see if the pool has an ozonator and if so take the small plastic tube off the ozonator and plug it with something to prevent suction on the pipe as a temporary measure while you test for increased and constant suction on the skimmer line.
If there’s two pumps of the same kind swap their lids around and see if the other lid gets the pump primed. If so make sure the good lid is on the main filter system pump and leave the other pump on the other pump if it’s just for a water feature or spa that’s not as important as the filter pump.
Check that all the Jandy levers are in the correct position and that they are not cracked or damaged consider changing the jandy valve gaskets if needed.
Check the skimmer weir is not trapped closed.
Check pool water level is correct.
Check that the impeller within the pump is not clogged with debris using impeller tool.
Check that the levers all turn freely as there could be debris within them preventing water flow.
Check Jandy valve gaskets
Check to see if filters have gone bad. This can be done by removing the cartridges completely from the tank and put the tank back together and run the system within the cartridges. If prime dramatically increases then the filters are bad and restricting water flow.
Check water level it could be sucking in air from a skimmer pipe if the water is low
Check that the skimmer weir door is not stuck closed and preventing water flow into skimmer
Check the impeller turns freely using a screwdriver or impeller tool. Remove pump lid and turn on pump to see if water within the pump gurgles and moves into the pump when turned on.
Check for damp patches around the pump gasket that connects to the motor may have leaked out water preventing it from priming once the motor goes off.
If you think one of the pipes is blocked see if the pump primes from one of them only, try the skimmer with all others closed and then try main drain or spa with others closed.
If you can get the pump running but suspect it will not prime back up after the pump goes off then remove the “Off” pin so that it will continue to run preventing the pool from going green and enable continued filtration. Or, leave in “Service” mode and pump on until repairs are done.
If the pump has run dry try pouring a bucket of water into the pump may get it primed manually but it may not come back on automatically on the next schedule.
If the pump has to be left off or you’re not able to get the pump to prime then still treat the pool with chemicals brushing them in so that it at least keeps a chlorine residue and slows the process of the pool going bad.
Hopefully, the above tips and tricks will help you to get the problem resolved if not contact PoolStar using the Contact page above.