Pentair Loss of Prime / Air Ingress

Pump is running but there is no water movement in pool, pump basket not filling with water.

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Possible Causes

Air leak at pump lid O‑ring, Air leak at suction unions or fittings, Pool water level too low, Suction valves closed or blocked skimmer

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn off power before opening the pump lid.

  • Step 1 – Verify water level: Ensure pool water is high enough to cover the skimmer opening at least halfway.
  • Step 2 – Clean baskets: Remove and clean pump and skimmer baskets to ensure unobstructed flow.
  • Step 3 – Service pump lid O‑ring: Remove the lid, clean the O‑ring and groove, apply silicone‑based lubricant, and reinstall. Replace the O‑ring if cracked or flattened.
  • Step 4 – Check suction valves and unions: Confirm suction valves are open. Tighten unions on the suction side and inspect for cracks or leaks that could draw air.
  • Step 5 – Manually prime: Fill the pump strainer housing completely with water, reinstall lid, then start the pump and observe. If it still will not prime, further suction leak diagnosis or underground line inspection may be needed.
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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Pump Lid O-Ring
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