Waterway Suction Air Leak / Partial Prime

Waterway pool pump runs but the clear lid shows a large pocket of air and return jets blow bubbles.

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Possible Causes

Lid o‑ring not sealing, Loose suction union, Air leak at skimmer or vacuum hose, Cracked suction pipe

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn off the pump before opening the lid or adjusting plumbing.

  • Service lid o‑ring: Clean, lubricate, and if necessary replace the Waterway lid o‑ring as described earlier.
  • Check unions and fittings: Tighten suction‑side unions and inspect for cracks. Wrap suspect threaded joints with fresh PTFE tape and reseal.
  • Inspect skimmer and hoses: Ensure the skimmer weir is not stuck and that any vacuum hose connections are tight and fully submerged.
  • Test with dye: With the pump running, use a small amount of food coloring near suspected leak points on the suction side. If the dye is drawn in, you have found an air leak that must be repaired.
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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Pump Lid O‑Ring
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