Pump Restart Issue when COLD

[tenax]

i wondered about the seal as well. (i don't have hayward. a sta-rite man) further re: gasket..i have been told by pool store guys not to bother lubricating the o ring (they say it's self lubricating) i say bs...what..it has silicone inside it? whether it needs it or not, i spray with a silicon spray a couple times a season. i think it's just their way to reduce the life and make me buy rings more often. there is no way with lubrication that it should have to be replaced every season.

[elsie]

I'm wondering about misinterpretation as well. To the best of my knowledge the secondary strainer basket at pump location must have a rubber gasket and must be lubricated frequently, and I believe should be changed out with a new one every season. Without a gasket that's in good shape and lubed, I am quite sure the basket would not have a good seal.

Poconos, I, too, think that because of the strange behavior of the pressure gauge, that whatever's happening shouldn't be happening: that gauge should pop up to baseline immediately. Odd thing is that when I look in the strainer basket, I see no bubbles and, in fact, cannot even be sure there's water -- maybe there isn't. What I will do tonight is turn pump on, and I'm sure the motor will groan, and then turn off and immediately use my board to wrench the lid to the basket off and see if there's water. That will at least clear that question up one way or the other.

Because the cover's on now, I can't be sure I have full prime, although there again I could take a few water bags off and stick my upper body under it and put my hand in front of one of the jets. I'm very familiar with the strength of water coming from the jets so that may (or may not) clear up another question.

I think "at the end of the day," I will have to have a pool service come out. I'll keep you apprised, and appreciate everyone's input.

[Poconos]

Elsie,
Easy way to tell if there's water in the pump chamber is to turn the pump on for a second then shut it off. If it's empty the pump/motor will spin down slowly over several seconds. If there is a full water charge or a good partial charge it will stop almost immediately.
Al