Pump FAQ
Why won't my pump keep a prime?
If your pump cannot keep a prime, this means that water is not staying in the pump strainer housing.
Check the water level in the pool; make sure it is ¾ of the way up the skimmer faceplate.
Make sure the pump is pulling water from the pool by checking both skimmers for suction.
Make sure no air is getting into the system. Add Jack’s or Magic Lube to the pump lid o-ring.
Check to make sure that the impeller is spinning freely. If it isn’t, then you will need to take apart the pump and free the impeller. See below for instructions.
If the impeller is spinning freely, get your garden hose, shut off the power to the pump, fill up the pump basket until it is overflowing, put the cover on quickly, and turn the power back on. It can take up to 10 minutes to catch a prime as well. Keep in mind that most pumps are now self-priming, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
If these instructions do not resolve the issue, call the retail store to schedule a service call.
Why isn't the water circulating, but the motor is turned on?
If you don’t see the water moving when the pump is running, this means that the impeller on the motor may be broken.
Shut down all power to the pump.
Take off the pump lid and remove the basket.
Check the impeller to make sure it is free of debris.
To see if anything is lodged in the impeller, stick a small screwdriver through the opening at the back of the strainer housing to see if you can freely spin the impeller. You can also remove the bolts off of the strainer housing to remove the motor, and to get directly to the impeller.
If it is stuck, try to free it. You might need a new impeller, or, if the shaft isn’t spinning, it might need a new motor. You can also take it to Morse Electric in Gardner for repairs.
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