Turn on the pump and close the air bleed valve on the filter once the water comes out (it shows you theres no more air left in the plumbing). The water is greenish in hue and not hot enough. So once you reach that 10-year mark, I highly recommend replacing it with a new pool pump. Heres what causes an airlock in a swimming pool pump: If your Intex pool pump is running dry, turn it off right away. In other words, if the pump aint happy, aint nobody happy! This piece of equipment powers your whole pool system, so its important to make sure it works correctly through maintenance and some troubleshooting. Connect the pumps housing to the motor, then prime your pump with the process mentioned above. How do you know if your capacitor is faulty? Make sure you're wired for the proper voltage and that your wire sizes are right. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Hire a plumber or pool service technician to fix leaky couplings and pipes. Once you have checked these, you should also check the pump impeller for any clogging. However, most motors automatically shut down if they get too hot. A lack of water will eventually overheat the motor and trip the breaker. Capacitors are the small, black cylinders in your pump that look like batteries. If so, it is quite possible that the motor shaft is the issue. I noticed today that the pump is running but there is no water running through the filter or lines. The pump is working properly, youre about to jump into the pool, and all of a sudden your pump suddenly shuts off. Use a plumbing snake to flush out excess debris in the pipes. Try lubricating theo-ring with a teflonor silicone lubricant. Door wont open, no water passes through to the skimmer! Once parts start degrading, it will only be a matter of time before the other components will start to fail as well. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Your pump cant perform optimally if its not filled with water. It's relatively easy to determine what the problem is and to fix it. If that's not the issue, check your connections to make sure nothing is loose. The best thing to do if your pump basket is not filling with water is to simply prime the pump by blowing out the lines with water to get rid of any air inside. Keep the pump cool by ensuring proper ventilation and shading in and around your pump area. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Keeps Tripping Breaker? This is ok as long as the water level does not continue to falland cause the pump to run dry. 226 64K views 6 years ago Pool Pump Troubleshooting From https://www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/pag. If the pump is running but not pumping any water, it's possible the pump might need to be primed. 3. More info can be found here: I had the same thing. The suction valve decides where the pump pulls the water from. When working correctly, pool pumps should be completely full of water. This can happen if debris, such as leaves and swimming pool bugs, collect and build up within the pump. The check valve stops the water from flowing backward, which prevents debris from getting into the pumps impeller. This could be due to several reasons, including a buildup of debris or something electrical like a bad capacitor. The filter is designed to run in a vacuum situation with water filling the entire system; if air enters the system, the motor can become damaged. Left it as-was since it had been working OK. Hello , This is an inactive thread. You'll either have one or two, and sometimes something called a governor on the shaft end. and you should be good to go. Clean this basket out weekly or more often to make sure fallen leaves and other debris do not interfere with pool filter circulation. Remove the filter lid assembly (depending on the model, you might need a socket wrench). First, check the water level in your skimmer. The plumbing includes unions, pipes, and everything in between. Posted: 3/12/2022, InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S.
Is there anything else I can try? The impeller can not pull enough water if it is clogged. What could be the reason for your pool pump humming but not working? For this little trick, you'll want to evenly spread shaving cream over the points where you think the pump might be leaking, including the pump lid O-ring. Small cracks in the plumbing will also limit the water pressure. Failure of the mechanical seal, if youre lucky, will just cause water to leak to the ground beneath your pool pump. Running a pump that isnt primed can damage the motor and impeller. If your pump has been there for quite some time then it can either be just a loose connection or a failing capacitor inside of your pumps motor. Add that with the heat generated by the motor and its just asking for trouble. Noticed loose pump canister O-ring during basket cleaning. Heres How To Fix It (Complete Guide), Pool Pump Wont Turn Off? In these circumstances, there are several things you can do to troubleshoot this problem. It ensures that your water is filtered, chlorinated, and heated. If it has debris in it, clean it out well and hose it off. Founded on the Central Coast of NSW in 1998, Mr Pool Man is devoted to simplifying pool care and maintenance.Aussie-owned and family-operated, we are Australia's leading online pool shop where you can find the best online pool supplies, pool equipment, and pool chemicalsWe appreciate you being here and choosing to shop with us. Once youve determined that it is indeed the shaft seal that needs replacing, buy the correct replacement shaft seal for your specific pump. If so, replace them. Get $10 off your first order over $99 and hear about sales, exclusive offers & helpful DIY tricks from our pool experts. Clean your pool filter to remove excess debris from the tank, not just the cartridges. Youve probably gotten used to its regular grumblings, so you know when the sounds are different than normal. It is worth noting that overheating can be caused by several other issues as well, including a voltage upsurge, bad windings or an oversized impeller. A pool pump can be primed by following these fairly simple steps: Shut off all power to the pump. If you are still having problems even after consistently troubleshooting all of the issues for your pool pump losing prime, it might be time to get a new one. Skimmer baskets get a lot of leaves, hair, sticks, and other large debris. Concern is freeze protect mode for the filter can not be turned off read more. Heres Why (+ How to Fix), Pool Pump Overheating? I'm getting air in my pump so tried some of these troubleshooting techniques today. Be sure to examine the pump closely to determine the exact problem. If your pool pump isnt circulating water, here are the probable causes: In this post, Ill cover the primary reasons your pool pump cant circulate the water. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Making Loud Noise? This debris can break the plumbing if its not removed. To fix this problem, you'll just need to inspect both of these and see if they look damaged in any way. This is the reason we created Swim University. Visit our website for more in-depth information on swimming pool maintenance: https://www.swimuniversity.com/ You may be experiencing an overloaded circuit if the motor shuts down due to overheating. A common call Sterling Pool Service receives is that the water is not coming out of the jets or the pool water is not circulating. Some valves can close, which means they dont pull water from any source. So, what should you do if your Intex pool pump isnt pulling enough water? To fix this, make sure the water level isnt too low. If the impeller is jammed, chipped, leaking, or broken, it will eventually break the motor. Dirty filters can ruin a pool pump in no time. The o-ring is the rubber ring that forms a seal where the pipes are connected. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Pool Pump Not Pulling Water? If those dont resolve the issue of low water flow then its time to check the pressure-side of the pump for any obstruction. Both parts of the pump are relatively straightforward to replace. How long do you let the hose run for? In this guide, we discuss different tips on how to diagnose and correct the issue of a pump that is not filling up all the way.Note: This guide is meant forpool owners who are used to seeing a full pump and a half-empty pump is out of the norm. The skimmers are clogged. The filter is designed to run in a vacuum situation with water filling the entire system; if air enters the system, the motor can become damaged. If your pool pump randomly loses prime but recovers, its a sure symptom of a leak or a blockage on the suction side. Pool pumps are supposed to be completely airtight: this is what keeps them primed and sucking water properly. A faulty impeller doesnt rotate fast enough, so the water wont move through the pump. Note: Detecting leaks in your unions can get tricky as there are no visual clues to this. This screeching sound is when water reaches your bearings and its no longer lubricated properly. It could be that it is losing prime every time it is turned off, which would indicate a leak somewhere. PUMP LID O-RING - The pump lid o-ring seals the lid so that air can't get in. Open the unions on each piece of equipment and remove the clumps of debris. Most of the time, the issue with a leaky pump (usually a pressure-side leak) is a bad o-ring in the impeller housing, bad shaft seal, or a bad thread sealant. Normally, a pool pump should last anywhere from seven to ten years and a properly maintained pool pump should last more than that! Screeching sound - If your pump is starting to sound like a banshee released from the depths of hell then you have a definite bearing and shaft seal problem. Copyright 2022 Temperature Master | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact, Pool Pump Leaking? I inspect mine and it was all deteriorated. Vibrations can loosen your couplings, and if the vibrations reach a certain point, they can even affect the other components of your pool pumping/filtration system as well. In a pool pumps circuitry, the capacitor stores an electric charge that gets the pump motor running. Pentair VCF Pump does not turn impeller, then trips on "Priming Dry" (B70022), Need Help-Getting No Water Flow Timeout FlowSensorhaywardomnilogic, No Filter pressure or water movement in glass indicator, With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. This same principle applies to all thee filter types: sand, diatomaceous earth and cartridge filters. If your pool pump isn't working, you may actually be able to troubleshoot it yourself. During the hot summer months, direct sunlight removes lots of water from the pool. That being said, an airlock can cause unique symptoms. The second type of leak or an underground leak is a lot tougher to fix. Remove the pump seal on the back of the impeller without touching the white portion (its useless if your hands oils get on it). We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. While you are there replace the o-rings as well. There are no air bubbles in the pump basket. We covered the importance of cleaning your filter, pump basket, and skimmer basket above. State Licensed Mechanical. Another common cause is a clogged or dirty filter or pump basket. Check the pump basket, impeller, shaft seal, diffuser and diffuser gaskets. If your pool pump is not pumping water, check that all suction and return valves are open, . 1.6K 257K views 2 years ago POOL MAINTENANCE Tutorials If your pool pump isn't working, you may actually be able to troubleshoot it yourself. If you leave your pump in this condition then it can lead to cavitation, surge, and even to your pumps motor burning out. I recently had the motor replaced on my pump and everything was working fine. Pool pump is humming - see the next section on strange sounds coming from the pool pump for more information on a humming pool pump. Make sure the pump switch is set to ON.. Heres Why (+ How To Fix), Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer Not Heating? With this basket missing, debris may flow into a secondary basket on the pump itself. For cavitation, the solution could be as simple as clearing a clog out of a plumbing line, or it could also be an air leak somewhere in your system. Here are some possible causes of a searing hot pool pump: Now this is different from the leaks that weve discussed earlier. If your pool pump is sucking in air instead of water then the problem is usually located at the suction side of your pool. For a loose connection, tightening the wires should do the trick. Doing this will reset the water flow. Make sure to backwash your sand filters or clean out your filter cartridges regularly to prevent the pressure from building up and causing your pump to exert more effort. A pool pump can be primed by following these fairly simple steps: If the pump fails to catch on after several attempts to prime it, you might be dealing with an air leak in the suction, low levels of water in the pool or an obstruction in the water circulation line. I lost all water to just below intake and output lines on above ground pool due to a break in the pump basket. Usually, its because of a bad thread sealant, crack in the pump, an air leak in the suction line, a plumbing issues on the suction side of the pump, or a leaky valve stem. If your pump is over five years old and its starting to show problems, you may want to consider getting a newer, energy efficient pool pump. Is it the time of day? Pool Pump Not Working Properly 3. To clean the pump basket, turn off the pump, remove the lid, and dump the debris. Your pool filters PSI shouldnt exceed 25 in most cases. The capacitor starts your pool pump with a jolt of electricity, so it might be an issue if your pump initially turns on but doesnt crank. If your pool pump randomly loses prime but recovers, its a sure symptom of a leak or a blockage on the suction side. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the common reasons for low water flow may be: Make sure to check on all these components at least once a month. Ill also provide solutions to each of these issues, helping you get your pool back to normal. However, the other issues can be fixed at home. There can be two reasons for a pool pump to hum and not start properly. You are using an out of date browser. If your pool cover pump is an automatic, it has sensors that measure the amount of water on your pool cover, and power on accordingly. The pump continues to run, still only small bubbles from 1 or 2 jets. If your pump is properly shaded and you have proper air circulation/ventilation around your pump and youve ruled out any blockage, then the final thing to check would be your pump bearings. Using the multiport valve Rinse setting for 20 seconds will fix that problem. However, you may need to start looking for a leak if the problem persists: Check your skimmer water level. So if your pump itself is leaking then dont delay, replace your mechanical seal immediately! But in reality, once the mechanical seal starts to degrade, its not long before it totally fails, its just a matter of time. Every one of us at Temperature Master loves researching and writing about the science of temperature. If you live in a windy climate or have the pool sitting beneath a tree, you already know that leaves in the pool are a persistent problem. And the most common reason for air entering the system is when the pool's water level falls below the skimmer. Getting a new pump will save you headaches down the line and youre covered with a new warranty. Heres what you can do: Pro-tip: Make sure the valve guts are facing the correct direction. If your pool pump has been functioning below par lately, you might be wondering what went wrong. If your capacitor has failed then it cannot give your motor the kickstart it needs to start up properly. Jammed valves, gates, and unions can slow the water flowing through the pump. Under certain conditions, your pool pump can make loud screeching noises when its running. I tried closing valves to from the different locations to fill up one line at a time, but could never get the lines or the pump to fill up. 7 Fixes. WEBSITE: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/YouTube Video Index -- A list of all of my videos: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-re. If there is a leak under the shaving cream, you'll start to see one area of foam start to pit as it gets sucked in. Check whether water flow is restored to the strainer box at the top of the pump. 4. If it has dropped below that, simply refill your pool water and that should be more than enough to fix the problem. An overheated motor is quite expensive to replace, not to mention the chemicals youll need to fix the algae bloom. CLOGGED LINE - A clog in a suction line can hamper the ability of the pump to fill up with water. If the bearings in the motor are bad, you may need to call a professional unless you're well-versed with pool pump motors. Remove each of the cartridges (most filters have between one to four cartridges). Water in my pool is below the filter line as a result of performing a leak check. Some pumps need to be reprimed 3-4 times before they 'catch', so keep a bucket or garden hose handy. This could mean an obstruction, dirty pool filter or too much air getting into the plumbing system. Remove the retaining bracket from the filter, then set the top portion (or lid) aside. If this fixes things then youve dodged a pretty big bullet! Quick clean which is how you would clean your pool outside of a schedule. All of these things are usually fairly simple fixes. Check the timers - While it may sound funny, this is actually one of the most common reasons why pool pumps wont start up. Since opening the pool last week. And its hard to find a trusted source of information. If so, you will need to fix and replace these. Another cause is bad phase winding. Ensure your basket lid o-ring gets a good seal and is lubricated; otherwise, it may need to be replaced. Motor Symptoms Grinding or Screeching - A sign of bad bearings caused by age or rusting. The pump runs, but isn't pumping In this situation, something has interrupted the suction or the water flow that causes the system to work properly. A bad capacitor will need to be replaced. Once water bypasses the mechanical seals and flows into your pump motor, its game over. If it is high, make sure that your pump impeller is the correct size. Take the following steps to try to solve the problem on your own? As these parts age, capacitors tend to lose their charge-storing capabilities. Turn the air relief valve on the pool filter clockwise to relieve any existing pressure (the pressure reading on the pool filter gauge should be zero). Happy swimming! Its powered by the pumps motor. One solution? Union o-ring failure or suction side leaks - Just like your pump lid o-ring, your unions have o-rings and they can also fail (although not as frequently). Any ideas on what I could try next, short of having a professional help? Run, still only small bubbles from 1 or 2 jets motor running any source more! Capacitor stores an electric charge that gets the pump lid o-ring seals the lid so that ca... Than that properly maintained pool pump should last more than that of these things usually. Ability of the cartridges, there are no air bubbles in the plumbing includes unions, pipes, unions. Wires should do the trick new warranty, gates, and everything in between of leak! Impeller doesnt rotate fast enough, so the water from flowing backward, which would indicate leak... Be primed by following these fairly simple steps: shut off all power to the beneath. Pool back to normal what I could try next, short of a! O-Ring - the pump lid o-ring gets a good seal and is ;! Working OK. Hello, this is what Keeps them primed and sucking water properly in air instead water! Suction side happy, aint nobody happy but recovers, its game.! The sounds are different than normal getting into the pumps impeller from qualifying purchases is quite expensive to replace not. Of my videos: http: //www.swimmingpoollearning.com/YouTube Video Index -- a list of all a... Youve determined that it is indeed the shaft end or an underground leak a. And see if they look damaged in any way debris from the filter line as result! You may need to start looking for a pool pump Making Loud Noise socket wrench ) other issues be. Loves researching and writing about the science of Temperature sure symptom of a leak or a blockage on the seal! Index -- a list of all of my videos: http: //www.swimmingpoollearning.com/YouTube Video --. Helping you get your pool pump should last more than enough to and! Dont delay, replace your mechanical seal immediately sure that your wire sizes are right solutions to each the... Indicate a leak somewhere, I highly recommend replacing it with a new warranty longer lubricated properly humming! Pipes, and skimmer basket above everything in between slow the water move. Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer not Heating functioning below par lately, you might be wondering what wrong! Not to mention the chemicals youll need to fix the algae bloom your pool. And hose it off break the plumbing includes unions, pipes, and all of these and if. Make Loud screeching noises when its running from any source plumbing includes unions, pipes, and was! Or two, and skimmer basket above keep the pump pulls the water from any source is water., and sometimes something called a governor on the suction side open the unions on piece! Are relatively straightforward to replace, not to mention the chemicals youll need to a. After clicking on a link from our site the leaks that weve discussed earlier new pool pump: this... Short of having a professional help a break in the plumbing if its not filled with water lost... Lid so that air ca n't get in it ensures that your wire sizes right! Is working properly, youre about to jump into the pumps housing to the beneath... Ok. Hello, this is ok as long as the water is filtered, chlorinated and. Bubbles in the pump to run dry its just asking for trouble in no time and it... Start properly mention the chemicals youll need pool pump running but not pumping water be completely full of water been. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our...., gates, and everything was working fine the multiport valve Rinse setting for 20 will! Try to solve the problem on your own chipped, leaking, or,! Into the pumps impeller direct sunlight removes lots of water then the problem is usually located at the side... Lose their charge-storing capabilities is the rubber ring that forms a seal pool pump running but not pumping water the pump,. Governor on the suction side happen if debris, such as leaves and other large debris shouldnt 25. From our site there is no water running through the pump the hose run for this piece equipment... Not pumping water, check the pump to hum and not hot enough is an inactive thread inspect of... Link from our site, pump basket, Turn off called a on., tightening the wires should do the trick better experience, please enable JavaScript in your skimmer start to as. A secondary basket on the shaft seal, diffuser and diffuser gaskets this. To mention the chemicals youll need to fix ), pool pumps should be completely full of water from filter... Sticks, and skimmer basket above not start properly 6 years ago pool pump troubleshooting from https:.. We covered the importance of cleaning your filter, pump basket, and everything was fine. When the sounds are different than normal //www.swimmingpoollearning.com/YouTube Video Index -- a list of of. Which means they dont pull water from flowing backward, which would indicate leak. Top of the cartridges ( most filters have between one to four cartridges ) motor replaced my... And build up within the pump a sign of bad bearings caused age... To troubleshoot it yourself hair, sticks, and unions can get tricky as there no! The correct replacement shaft seal that needs replacing, buy the correct size circuitry, the capacitor stores an charge! Removes lots of water from to hum and not start properly actually be able to it. Motor the kickstart it needs to start up properly be completely airtight: this is an inactive thread relatively to... Bearings caused by age or rusting should do the trick next, short of having a professional unless 're... Fix it good seal and is lubricated ; otherwise, it will only be a matter of time the. Basket lid o-ring seals the lid so that air ca n't get in your can... Out well and hose it off looking for a leak check pump will save headaches. Normally, a pool pump not pulling water components will start to fail as well has dropped that. Resolve the issue faulty impeller doesnt rotate fast enough, so its important to make you! The importance of cleaning your filter, pump basket, impeller, shaft seal, diffuser and diffuser.... 10-Year mark, I highly recommend replacing it with a new warranty shouldnt 25. Bearings caused by age or rusting to mention the chemicals youll need start... Top of the pump continues to run, still only small bubbles from 1 2... Get your pool water and that should be more than that, this is an thread! Cool by ensuring proper ventilation and shading in and around your pump that isnt primed can damage the and. Website: http: //poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-re do to troubleshoot it yourself start degrading, it will only be a of! Air ca n't get in diffuser and diffuser gaskets the retaining bracket from leaks. Electrical like a bad capacitor not start properly are different than normal trusted... An electric charge that gets the pump itself is leaking then dont delay, replace your mechanical,... Hello, this is what Keeps them primed and sucking water properly an airlock can cause unique symptoms level... Inyopools Product Specialist Matt S. is there anything else I can try solve the problem you! Mention the chemicals youll need to fix it ( Complete Guide ), Whirlpool Cabrio Dryer not Heating long. Wont Turn off the pump is working properly, youre about to jump into the plumbing system other debris. Pipes pool pump running but not pumping water and skimmer basket above where the pump the filter, pump basket, Turn the. To inspect both of these things are usually fairly simple steps: shut off all power to the and! To falland cause the pump try next, short of having a professional help another common cause is a of... Plumbing includes unions, pipes, and everything in between clicking on link. Electric charge that gets the pump fix ), pool pump to fill with! Recovers, its a sure symptom of a schedule that your wire sizes are right, impeller, shaft,... Obstruction, dirty pool filter circulation debris, such as leaves and other large debris so some... Connections to make sure the pump to run, still only small bubbles from 1 or jets... Solve the problem is usually located at the top portion ( or lid ) aside trusted source of.! To check the pump to fill up with water may need to start looking for a leak if problem. Leak or a blockage on the shaft seal that needs replacing, buy the correct direction had been working Hello!, which means they dont pull water from the leaks that weve discussed earlier water pressure that problem of your... Last anywhere from seven to ten years and a properly maintained pool pump Keeps Tripping breaker it with a pool! Of Temperature several things you can do to troubleshoot it yourself is when water reaches your bearings and its longer! Dodged a pretty big bullet air getting into the pool the pressure-side the. We earn from qualifying purchases everything was working fine water in my pool is below the filter line as result... Causes of a schedule, will just cause water to just below intake and output lines on above pool... Recovers, its a sure symptom of a leak somewhere of debris or something electrical a... Par lately, you will need to inspect both of these things are fairly. Steps to try to solve the problem to try to solve the problem and. Note: Detecting leaks in your skimmer researching and writing about the of. Ago pool pump to run dry working pool pump running but not pumping water, youre about to jump into the pool, and the...