Leslies put new 1 hp motor with old pump housing I put unit back in in ground pool but pump will not prime. used to work good but motor burned up. suspect leak between pump and screen area.pump works when I feed water into sreen area. do you any Idea where leak could occur thank you for any help

is motor getting hot if so need new motor also check to see if wires on the back of the motor are loose or the wires to the breaker loose if they are ok you need a new pump motor or pump sometimes a whole pump is cheaper than fixing the old one

Does the pump hold prime when it's off? If a pump runs dry at first then primes it makes the pump and motor work harder. How many gallons of water is your pool?

Question:

What do I do if my pool/spa pump is loosing suction or prime?

Answer: by Osko Pool n Spa Pool Pump Losing Suction or Prime If your Swimming Pools Filter system looses Prime, it is caused by one of the following conditions.
Note: The lost of suction/prime is caused a leak which in turn sucks air into the system. The lost of suction/prime will be anywhere from the Main Pool Skimmer(s) to the Pool Pump. It will NOT be from the Pool Pump to the Pools Main Return(s).
1) First make sure that your water level is high enough so that the skimmer is not sucking air.
2) Check the Pump Pot Housing Lid Seal and be certain that its completely sealing and is not
Sucking air into the system. Check the lid for cracks. If either condition is true, replace the Pump Pot Lid Seal and/or entire lid
3) Check all fittings, clamps and hoses from the pools skimmer to the Pools Pump Pot Housing for wear, tightness and leaks.
4) Check Pool Pump Pot Housing for cracks.
If everything aforementioned in good working order, the next thing to check is the Pump Pot Housing Main Seal and the Pumps Impeller and finally the pump.

5) While the Pool Pump Motor is running, carefully inspect the area where the Pump Pot Housing attaches to the Pump Motor. See if there is any water leaking. Next, spray the area with water and see if the water is sucked into the Housing. If so, your Main Seal is damaged.
6) Disassemble the front half of the Pump Pot Housing from the back half and inspect the Pump Motor Impeller. (This is a high suspect part). See if there is any sign of wear or breakage. (This happens over time from debris in the water passing over the impeller). If so, your Impeller is damaged.
7) Re-inspect the Pump Pot Housing Main Seal by standing the partially disassembled upright, with the Pump Motor towards the ground. Pour water over the impeller and into the cavity. See if the water leaks thru to the outside of the Pump Pot Housing. If so, your Main Seal is damaged.
8) Remove the cover from the rear of the Pump Motor. Using a large standard blade, (straight), screwdriver or wrench... turn the main motor shaft. Listen for grinding and/or rumbling and feel for any restrictions while turning. If you hear or feel either, your bearings and/or brushes are damaged.
If everything seems to be in good working order, then you need a new pump... not just replacement parts
For more FREE DIY Faqs, go to:http://www.oskopoolnspa.com/index.php?main_page=faqs_all

For more FREE DIY Faqs, go to:
http://www.oskopoolnspa.com/index.php?main_page=faqs_all

Foam will definitely keep a pump from priming. Why do you think it's the calcium causing the foam? I have added large amounts of calcium to pools and I do not recall ever having any foaming issues.
Check to see if your impeller may be clogged. Take the lid off of the pump and fill the basket up with water. Leaving the lid off, start the pump for three seconds and then turn it off. The water should be sucked away almost instantly. If the water level drops slowly you have debris clogging the impeller. If that is the case the pump needs to be opened and cleaned.

if this is a inground try only the main drain if it works something is in the skimmer line

It sounds like something is causing the motor to not only have limited torque but also draw more than normal current. It sounds like a problem in the motor but exploratory surgery would indicate the cause for sure.

If you are not wanting to turn wrenches yourself then my best suggestion is to bring it to Leslies Pool Supplies and they often can put it right for the price of the parts while you watch.

I hope this helps.

these motor have been known to do this, you could have the capacitor checked or replaced, it might be a bad motor.. i would look to see that the shaft seal is good (new) and no suction leaks and that the pump has been primed.. if not its time 4 a new shaft seal.. it only takes a short time to burn up the shaft seal

SOUNDS LIKE THE START SWITCH IS DIRTY OR IT MAY NEED A CAPACITOR it's a 161start cap THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST PUMP YOU CAN HAVE ! THESE AS ALL PUMPS CAN BE TRICKY TO WORK ON, THIS COULD HAVE THE MOTOR REPAIRED WITH NEW BEARINGS AND A SHAFT SEAL AND DIFFUSER ALL FOR ABOUT 100.00 .. LOOK FOR YOUR LOCAL POOL PUMP MOTOR REPAIR GUY OR SHOP.. USE YOUR ZIP CODE IN YOUR SEARCH .. GOOD LUCK AND VOTE .. Jay

CRAIG .. IF ITS A STA RITE PUMP DURA GLASS YA GET IT FIXED ! SHOULD COST ABOUT 75.00 SEARCH YOUR AREA FOR YOUR LOCAL POOL PUMP REPAIR GUY . ASK IF HE DOES FREE MOTOR TESTING

Pull the six bolts on the back of the pump and pull the motor and pump housing back. remove the difuser and try spinning the impeller. If it wont spin you may need a new motor. If you pull the wires. You can find a motor shop in your phone book and they can rebuild it for you usually for about 100 bucks. Or replace it with new for a lot cheaper than what your talking. Good luck.