Need Pump Advice, Please

[PopcornGirl]

Poconos,
I *think* I have already done that, but let me run it by you...
When you say to put water in the pump basket with a hose, do I need to leave the lid off and keep pouring water in WHILE I turn on the pump?
The reason why I ask is because I thought the lid HAD to be on the pump basket before I started it. Last night, I poured a pitcher of water into the pump basket, replaced the lid, and then turned on the pump. But even before I switched the pump on, the water had drained away -- presumably to the filter line??? -- so when I started the pump up, there was only about 3 inches of water in the pump basket.
Are you suggesting (and can I?) to leave the lid OFF of the pump basket and start it up with the hose pouring water in? If so, I have not done that.
I WILL say that every time I turn the pump on, it sucks the 3 inches of water out and when I shut it off, the same 3 inches of water back-flows back into the pump basket.
Does this make any sense?
I really appreciate your help!

[CanuckPool]

I'm no expert, but can't you shut off your suction valve from your pool to your pump and then fill the basket with hose water, that should prevent your water from rushing back out of the pump. Then, as you turn your pump on open the suction valve. Maybe you can even open the valve slowly to see if your pump will pull and continue pulling as you open it all the way. Sounds like it can't get a prime due to air in the system. OR maybe there is some sort of disconnect between the motor and the impeller.

[CanuckPool]

or what if you shut off your main drain and leave your skimmer line open, then try running your hose into your skimmer pushing water into your pump, hopefully keeping the pump basket filled enough to get you pump to pull anything.

[Poconos]

Yes...leave the basket lid off and just dump garden hose water into the pump. See what happens. The most likely scenario is the pump will suck the basket dry faster than the garden hose can supply water. That's OK. Says the pump is working fine. Next step to solve the problem. I really don't think it's a major...i.e. $$$ issue.
Al

[nater]

Can you break the line between the pump and filter? If you can, and then the pump runs and spews water all over the place at the line break, you may have a blockage after the pump (I wouldn't think that very likely though).

If you have to cut the line, you can easily glue a union fitting or use a radiator hose in the place where you had to cut, that way you'll have a disconnect for future use.

From your description, it sounds like the pump is working, it either can't maintain prime to draw water from the pool, or there's a blockage after the pump.

[mas985]

If your PSI is 0 and you have air in the pump basket, the impeller and pump should be ok because it is pulling water out of the basket and air into it. This usually a good indication of a blockage on the suction side.

I know you said that you tried to clear it but perhaps your first try was not successful. Although a rag around the hose to try and clear but this does not always work well. I would get a drain king from the hardware store for your pipe size and try that. It allows for higher back pressure than the hose and rag trick.