How To: Determine Why A Pool Pump Won't Prime

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This guide discusses the common problems involved with a motor that is not priming. Most priming problems involve leaks in the suction side of the pump (between the pump and the pool) or clogged baskets. If you have a leak on the pressure side (after the pump), it does not affect prime. You just lose water.

[manolotubo]

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!

[cerlinaquijano]

Adding water to skimmer basket finally worked for 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!

[gregmartini]

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

[Gregwilli]

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!

[kinalmabashman]

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 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!

[erickerr]

Cleared the impeller and my issue cleared up instantly. Thanks for the video from 8 years ago!

[johnprecopio]

Great Video! Might want to add one more scenario. My skimmer door became dis enlarged and was stuck in the vertical position which prevented water from flowing into the skimmer basket. That led to my water priming issues. Buying a new skimmer door right now. Thanhks!

[boingotlomoheta]

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!

[nicholebulger]

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.

[andrewheymann]

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.

[chgojoearchivist]

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.

[kelm]

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.

[sandyhernandez]

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

[cattancmagician]

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 !!

[andrewwark]

Primed mine and it worked like a champ since.

[jaydenstoyhouse]

I forgot to put the o ring back on. Thanks for the help!!

[gomoChrist]

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 ❤

[skinnygenesdottv]

WOW this works. added water in the filter basket and it worked. you have a subscriber for life from South Africa

[Liv]

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

[MrDRock-rctz]

best video I've seen on this so far