Pool Pump not priming - Weak Return in Pool Jets

[Bmac1994]

I’m having difficulties getting my pool pump to prime. It’s a single-speed Waterway motor for my in-ground pool. Following a vacation and subsequent algae bloom, my pump became difficult to prime.
I performed the following troubleshooting steps:
-Cleaned cartridge filter w/ hose and acid/degreaser bath
-unclogged impeller
-checked water level at skimmer, skimmer basket and pump basket for anomalies
-used bladder hose at skimmer, on pump intakes to check for clogs in pool line
-inspected and lubricated o-ring on motor cover
-applied plumbers tape to pump housing drain plug
-ran water over drain plug, motor cover, all unions, joints and jandy valves

My pump has never had difficulties priming and always fills pump housing with no cavitation. Return jets are weak so something is definitely off.

Any advice?

 

[1poolman1]

I’m having difficulties getting my pool pump to prime. It’s a single-speed Waterway motor for my in-ground pool. Following a vacation and subsequent algae bloom, my pump became difficult to prime.
I performed the following troubleshooting steps:
-Cleaned cartridge filter w/ hose and acid/degreaser bath
-unclogged impeller
-checked water level at skimmer, skimmer basket and pump basket for anomalies
-used bladder hose at skimmer, on pump intakes to check for clogs in pool line
-inspected and lubricated o-ring on motor cover
-applied plumbers tape to pump housing drain plug
-ran water over drain plug, motor cover, all unions, joints and jandy valves

My pump has never had difficulties priming and always fills pump housing with no cavitation. Return jets are weak so something is definitely off.

Any advice?

Take cartridge out of the filter, close it up, and run the system. Won't hurt anything for a short while. Does the pump prime better? If water cannot get through the filter the pump won't prime well and flow will be bad. Hopefully it was degreaser then acid. Acid cleaning a filter is seldom a good thing.
Could be O rings in the Jandy valve in the suction line, 2-stem, 1-lid. Is there a union at the front of the pump? Is it tight?
Water can help find a suction leak but is not always reliable.

 

[Bmac1994]

Take cartridge out of the filter, close it up, and run the system. Won't hurt anything for a short while. Does the pump prime better? If water cannot get through the filter the pump won't prime well and flow will be bad. Hopefully it was degreaser then acid. Acid cleaning a filter is seldom a good thing.
Could be O rings in the Jandy valve in the suction line, 2-stem, 1-lid. Is there a union at the front of the pump? Is it tight?
Water can help find a suction leak but is not

always reliable.

I’ve been removing filter frequently to ensure my water is turning over every day. When the filter is removed there is no issues with priming the pump.
The filter is a month new. I even went as far as getting a second filter (another brand) that still gives me the same issue. Filter pressure is high (23 psi)when installed. Normally my system runs at 10-20psi (my never exceeds 20 psi which indicates to me that my filter is dirty)

I did the bubble trick on the jandy valve and other seams/joints and didn’t find any leaks. I have a union before the pump (suction side) and it appears to be tight. I guess the next step is opening up the jandy and union to visually inspect the o-rings and relubricate.

Another thing that has been on my mind as a variable is my new motor. Replaced a month ago. I’ll send pictures of old and new motor but it was a drop in replacement so I don’t think pump power has changed and would be the cause of this problem.

 

[Bmac1994]

I’ve been removing filter frequently to ensure my water is turning over every day. When the filter is removed there is no issues with priming the pump.
The filter is a month new. I even went as far as getting a second filter (another brand) that still gives me the same issue. Filter pressure is high (23 psi)when installed. Normally my system runs at 10-20psi (my never exceeds 20 psi which indicates to me that my filter is dirty)

I did the bubble trick on the jandy valve and other seams/joints and didn’t find any leaks. I have a union before the pump (suction side) and it appears to be tight. I guess the next step is opening up the jandy and union to visually inspect the o-rings and relubricate.

Another thing that has been on my mind as a variable is my new motor. Replaced a month ago. I’ll send pictures of old and new motor but it was a drop in replacement so I don’t think pump power has changed and would be the cause of this problem.

New motor: HSQ125 | Centurion Pro Pool Motor 48Y THP 1.25

Old motor:
See attached picture

 

[Newdude]

Following a vacation and subsequent algae bloom, my pump became difficult to prime.

Because the algae is clogging the filter.

You need to SLAM Process

How are you testing ? You'll need one of these Test Kits Compared

And Welcome !!!