pump problems

[waste]

Karen, sounds like you've got an AG pool (memory also hints at this). If this is the case, you've only got the skimmer to suck through. A decrese in pressure is caused by restricting or lengthening the amt of pipe the water is being drawn through (on systems with 2 suction ports, I hook up the vac and close the other port enough to get a 1/2 - 1 psi decrease for good suction, but not so much you can't move the vac head). I'm thinking that the vac head or Diver Dave is getting stuck to the floor and you're getting a vacuum in the pump basket - not air. Why it's happening now when it didn't last year, I'm still contemplating. As you replaced the skimmer plate, I hope you saved the old one - if you did, try drilling a 3~3/8" hole in it and see if that alieviates the problem - I have one on my service van with the hole that we use when there's only the skimmer to vac through. [Air in the pump basket would alieviate the 'collapsing' of the skim to pump tube]
I'm not the best with pump/ flow/pressure differentials/ dynamic head -- etc, but it might be worth the effort to try the hole in the old skimmer plate and see if it helps - and if it doesn't help enough, drill another hole... until you have the suction and performance you want. *NOTE - as the filter gets 'dirtier', you'll loose suction and may have to plug any (some/ one) of the holes drilled in the skimmer plate*

[Karen_in_TN]

Waste, thank you so much for the tip of drilling the holes in the vacuum plate. Dave is now happily swimming around freely! Thanks so much for your help. I just knew it was something simple.

Karen

[waste]

I'm just happy to be able to help !!