Pump Keeps Losing Prime

[waste]

ChiInSFO, welcome to the forum. Please don't take this in any other way than the helpful suggestion which it is - it is considered bad form on the forum to ask your own question in the middle of someone else's thread (though I've been guilty of it too ), rather, you should start your own - it makes keeping the responses to the 2 questions separate and every questor here deservesto have their question answered, if possible. In this instance, I have some advice for you but nothing, yet, for Elle (who started this thread - but I have it bookmarked for follow up). I think the best way to do it would be to read the advice for the first poster, see if it fits your situation, and if not, start a new thread in the same section, then post on the original thread saying that you are having the same problem and give the link to your new thread, all the while keeping an eye on the original for stuff that could help you. It's a little more work, but it may end up getting both posters more views (& therefore more advice) and better 'case specific' advice. Just my $.02. I'll see if I can get a moderator to separate the 2 threads here for you.
Meanwhile, on the pump 'spurting' when it's shut off:
If there is no air in the pump while running and it happens, it's not a problem - some pumps are designed to fully seal when suction is applied, but that seal can be broken by 'back pressure' when the pump is turned off (this happens on quite a few of the Northstars I have to deal with, however, they are probably oversized for the system). (I realise that you do have bubbles now, but if they go away and it still happens - 'no problem Mon')
If the problem is as Matt says, you probably need to replace the cover o-ring - If it hasn't been properly lubed, it might have worn down. On the other hand, if it's older and has been routinely overtightened, the o-ring may have 'squared off' (been so compressed that it's lost it's roundness).
Again, welcome to the forum - I'm just trying to get you (and in this case Elle) the best help that can be proffered by the great folks here. - Waste

[ChiInSFO]

waste, thanks for the friendly advice. I need to go and start a few new threads

[ChiInSFO]

I started a new thread here:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=4638

[waste]

Thanks for understanding, I believe you did it perfectly! -Waste