Low, next to NO pressure

[lmnharris]

My pump seems as though it's sucking tons of air, but the line from the pump to the skimmer is airtight. I used a bladder type pressure device to charge the line and waited for leaks. After about 30 sec. it shot the plug I had in the pump inlet out like a shotgun. Didn't see any leaks.
My pump motor basket is only about half full of water. Its sloshing it in there fast but can't keep up. I've stuck my fingers in all the holes and the impeller feels normal and clean. After I turn my pump on and back off there is so much pressure I can't even get the lid off the pump basket.
Lastly the filter is running at 0-4 lbs pressure. When I turn the valve to recirculate it does the exact same thing minus the filter pressure.

Is my pump trashed?

[Poconos]

Welcome to the forum.
Are you sure it isn't something as simple as the gasket for the pump basket lid leaking air somewhere? For air it only takes a tiny, sometimes almost invisible leak to let enough air in to mess things up. This could also be the reason for low pressure. Clean the gasket thoroughly and coat it with a good silicone lube....Jacks or equivalent. Available at most pool stores.
Not sure what you meant by this statement.....'After I turn my pump on and back off there is so much pressure I can't even get the lid off the pump basket.'

Al

[lmnharris]

Hello and thanks for the reply.
I've cleaned off any debris and put silicon on the O ring. I'll stop off and get a new one today just to make sure.

What I was trying to say was that when I shut the pump down the vacuum on the basket lid is so tight I can't hardly get it off. It had to open up the bleed valve on the filter and use a rubber mallet to get the lid off the pump basket once today.

[duraleigh]

If your pump is above the waterline of the pool, it will take, in some cases, minutes to "prime" (i.e....pull all the air from the system). Are you giving it that time?

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but if you are new to pumps, than can sometimes surprise you.

Regardless of the reason for the air in the pump, you will not get good pressure 'til that air is withdrawn from the system...I'm pretty sure that is why your guage is indicating 0-4.

[Poconos]

With that much vacuum on the lid with the pump shut off I'm guessing the pump is a few feet above the pool water level. Something doesn't compute. If that is the case I'm surprised it even primes. Seems like you definitely have an air leak somewhere.
Al

[MaryLee]

I had a similiar situation when the o-ring to my offline chlorinator failed....don't know if that helps or not