Pump not holding prime

[AnnaK]

A new development over the past few days.

My pump runs at night and shuts off at 04:00. When I check the pool in the mornings the water level in the pump pot had been lower than normal. Normal with my system was a half-dollar sized air bubble in the center of the domed pot lid.

Last week I noticed two or three air bubbles, larger ones, and some considerable bubbling in the pot when I ran the pump. This is a 2-speed which I run on low except when vacuuming. This morning the water level in the pot is drained down to about 1/2. I've also noticed a small amount of water on the outside of the pot and on the pad it sits on.

So—there's probably a crack in the pot. There isn't any water around the lid, it's sealed tightly.

Are these pots replaceable or am I looking at having to buy a whole new pump?

[CarlD]

It depends on the brand. Sometimes you can replace the pump but keep the motor, sometimes the other way around.

If you can find the crack then you could try sealing it with epoxy. There's a special pool repair epoxy that actually dries underwater! As long as the repair doesn't hit the basket or impede any openings it could well last for years.

[AnnaK]

Is this available at the pool store? HD/Lowe's/ACE? Am I looking for a particular brand name or will it say 'pool repair' or 'water' on it? I'm not meaning to sound like a dummy, honest. I fix stuff with duct tape, zip ties, bungee cords, and, sometimes, a chewing gum-toothpaste combination to fill small holes. I've not worked with epoxy.

[CarlD]

Most pool stores stock it. Pool Repair Epoxy or something similar. Other stores like H-D MAY have it, but they should epoxy putty which is pretty similar. You cut off equal amounts and knead it together until it's an even color and then apply it. I've used epoxy putty to fix things (successfully) like a car's heater core. But pool epoxy putty is designed to be APPLIED under water, as opposed to being applied dry and then immersed after it's dry.

Most car parts stores stock epoxy putty. It is NOT Bondo.

[AnnaK]

But pool epoxy putty is designed to be APPLIED under water, as opposed to being applied dry and then immersed after it's dry.

O-KAY! That answers the question I had about how to get the remaining water out of the pot. I don't have to. Though I was already scrounging through the box in the garage for some rubber tubing I know is in there.

Thanks a bunch!

ETA: Duh! There's a little drain on the bottom of the pot. Never mind the rubber tubing syphon. Sheesh!

[CarlD]

O-KAY! That answers the question I had about how to get the remaining water out of the pot. I don't have to. Though I was already scrounging through the box in the garage for some rubber tubing I know is in there.

Thanks a bunch!

ETA: Duh! There's a little drain on the bottom of the pot. Never mind the rubber tubing syphon. Sheesh!

That's right! There's a little drain plug there!....

If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape.
If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40.

For everything else a hammer and/or vise-grips!

[Watermom]

I'm not meaning to sound like a dummy, honest. I fix stuff with duct tape, zip ties, bungee cords, and, sometimes, a chewing gum-toothpaste combination to fill small holes.

Too funny! I love it! (sheesh -- isn't that the way everybody fixes stuff??