Onga Suction-Side Air Leak

Pump loses prime and runs dry after a few minutes, basket housing fills with air.

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Possible Causes

Worn pump lid O-ring, loose suction union, cracked suction pipe, low water level at skimmer

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn off power before opening the pump lid or working on plumbing.

  • Check water level: Maintain pool water at least halfway up the skimmer opening.
  • Inspect lid and O-ring: Remove the Onga pump lid, clean the O-ring and groove, lubricate with silicone grease, and replace if flattened or cracked.
  • Tighten unions: Hand-tighten suction-side unions. Do not overtighten to the point of cracking.
  • Bubble test: With the pump running, look for air bubbles in the pump housing and at the return jets. Persistent bubbles indicate an air leak that may require re-gluing or replacing suction fittings.

After sealing leaks, re-prime the pump by filling the housing with water and restart.

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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Onga pump lid O-ring
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