pump will only prime when basket it out

[ScottsdaleSwim]

I thought it had to be air free?

It's a sta rite dyna glas one hp.

It used to prime with absolutely no air in the pot.
I've isolated each line. One line open, one line closed, half opened half closed.
I tried every combination and still- a big bubble in the top of the pot.

[waste]

SS, the reason I asked about the Northstar, is that if the basket isn't in correctly, the lid won't completely seal - resulting in what you describe. I'm not 'up' on my Sta-rite pumps, but does your basket only go in one way (ie, there's a hole in it that matches up to the suction port) - If so, when the basket is slightly off center, it prevents the lid from being able to fully seal.

[jnorris]

Mine has an air bubble in it too, when I run on low. When I run on high, water completely fills the pump basket.

I believe if it is not primed, you will see little or no pressure on the filter.

[ScottsdaleSwim]

There is pressure at the filter. It's noticably lower..like 2-3psi lower than normal..

The rim on the basket is broken..chipped rather. It's been that way since we bought the house 1.5 years ago so doubt it's that.

The gasket looks perfect but still gets black smears on your hands when you touch it...

[KurtV]

Have you tried to lubricate the o-ring?

[ScottsdaleSwim]

I'll get a new basket tomorrow. I cleaned out the bottom of the pot really well, took the plug out and then even used a shop vac. Still didn't make a difference. Won't prime with the basket in.

The basket has been chipped but maybe it's possible that it's a little more chipped than before...who knows?!
GAH!

If the basket and gasket use the rim of the basket to seal then that could be the reason.

And.....I shocked the crap outta myself. Don't remove that plastic card thing that protects the wire connectors
then stand in water
with wet hands and
accidentally touch the connectors when you flip the pump.

That picture makes my hand look chubby. *sigh*

[Poolsean]

lol....love the red nail polish while doing pool maintenance though! ; )
Have you tried a new basket? It's not likely the basket itself causing the problem unless there's some kind of blockage in the basket that you cannot see.
There wasn't any 'hair" in the pump impeller when you cleaned it, was there?

If there's a reduction of suction on your filter, there may be some obstruction in your suction lines. The best way to check and clear this is to go to Home Depot or Lowe's and get a plumming "Drain Jet". It attaches to a garden hose, swells the canvas or rubber blatter to plug up the pipe, and forces water into the pipes to clear any obstruction. You would put this into the pipe going back to the pool from the pump basket area (with the lid removed of course).

[ScottsdaleSwim]

Yeah, nothing like black goo under red fingernails.


I tried the Drain king and isolated the drain and the skimmer at different times. Each seemed to have a good flow coming back. The drain is hard to tell because..well, I'm not getting in there to check. But....I put leaves over the drain to see if they floated away from the force of the water and they did...and the drain seems to suck just as it did before.

That drain king thing shoots a skinny stream of water..pulsating yes, but by the time it makes all those corners how forceful do you think it is?

If there was a clog, wouldn't I have the same results if the basket was in or out? Not priming?

The basket is free of any debris, I was concerned that there could be hair that I couldn't see. Some roofing pebbles but I removed them. Same thing.
There was a little debris in the impeller (try gettin' to that without ruining your manicure!)-removed that and still not priming.

Kurt..yep. Cleaned and Lubed the O ring. Even the O ring on the drain plug.

The woman at the poolstore (I know, I know) said that it was probably from the broken basket. She didn't come up with that on her own though AND she didn't have a replacement basket.

I'm concerned that the pump is failing and isn't strong enough to pull the water through the basket.
Hopefully I'll find a new basket today.
Will post the follow up for sure. Thanks for the replies.