Hi, Rick,

Sorry I couldn't respond...out for the evening.

First, I am assuming you filled the pump basket to overflowing after you plugged the skimmer...you don't say that but I'm assuming you did.

So, if you plugged the skimmer hole and filled the pump basket (and the suction line) with water, there is no air left on the suction side. Right?

Then, when you turn on the pump, all the water rushes out of the pump basket. That means it is replaced by air. In a working system, what should happen is nothing....the water can't rush out of the pump basket cause the air can't get in to replace it.

My next thought would be to fill up the entire suction side with water again, turn the pump on as before, then shut the pump off never opening the skimmer hole. If all the water is pumped out of the basket, It shouldn't refill into the basket because now the water (on the pressure side) cannot push the air back out. Make sense?

Rick, I'm stumped. Poconos always has good insight into this type of issue...maybe he'll come along with a good idea.