UPDATE #2... With leak getting worse despite new shaft seal AND o-rings, I decided to get a new pump. All good now. So now I am in autopsy-mode, trying to figure out what went wrong. If I can clean it up, I will at least have a backup pump. No visible flaws in shaft seal, impellar, housing, etc. yet water drips continuously from bottom (whether running or off.) Still interested in any suggestions. Curious if any of the following can damage a pump. 1. Often losing suction / pressure while vacuuming. 2. Using pump to run water thru garden hose for lowering water levels. 3. Holding water noodle over eyelet to squirt people. 4. Running pump (accidentally) with low water flow from skimmer. Thanks for the replies!