newbie with pool... pressure problem.

[PoolFool123]

Sounds like the hose on your manual vac might be leaking air into the system which is causing the pump to lose prime. Any air, even for a fraction of a second, that gets into the stream of water going to the pump can cause the pump to lose prime. You always want to avoid this, when possible, because the water cools the pump and it can overheat when sucking air or trying to regain prime. When you are connecting the Barracuda, you're probably letting air into the suction side from the cleaner and the hose. This interruption in water flow will be enough for the pump to lose prime. I always hook everything up to the hose, be it the manual or automatic vac, sink the vac and THEN hook the hose up to the skimmer. Sometimes I'll even sink the hose segments to get them full of water. Anyway, always try to avoid getting air into the system. I know you are getting air in because you say you see bubbles coming out the jets.

To check the hose for air leaks, pick each segment up out of the water while hooked to the skimmer and listen for a hissing sound. Most of the time, if a hose is going to suck air, it'll do it at the hose joints. If you hear the hissing noise, replace both segments. I've gotten a lot of cheapie hoses that don't mate up well.

[lange]

I always sink the barracuda and the hoses and fill them up... I know this part is okay... but I'll look for small holes in hose.

When I saw all the bubbles coming out the jet, I thought of the pump. So I changed the rubber in the cap that we can take off on top.
The old rubber was cracked. But even with a new one, nothing changed.

But will look for the hose... but I don't feel very optimist about this option. Will give comebacks tomorrow. thanks

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

It sounds like the current setup is struggling to work as it is. When you vacum manually or with an auto cleaner you are putting extra strain on the equipment. Can you post pics of your equipment setup and pool? I am curious how they determined those lines are bad and if they capped them or what. Also, your motor is probably only putting out 1/2 - 3/4 HP at 25 yrs so that extra strain from the vacums is causing problems. With no main drain and only one return jet working it may be time to call in a pro to diagnose your problems but it will prob be expensive to replace/fix those lines and replace the pump. Your best bet may be finding a reasonable robotic cleaner since it does not run off your pump equipment and has such high quality filtration it could help supplement your current filtering. If you can, post the pics. Thanks

[lange]

It sounds like the current setup is struggling to work as it is. When you vacum manually or with an auto cleaner you are putting extra strain on the equipment. Can you post pics of your equipment setup and pool? I am curious how they determined those lines are bad and if they capped them or what. Also, your motor is probably only putting out 1/2 - 3/4 HP at 25 yrs so that extra strain from the vacums is causing problems. With no main drain and only one return jet working it may be time to call in a pro to diagnose your problems but it will prob be expensive to replace/fix those lines and replace the pump. Your best bet may be finding a reasonable robotic cleaner since it does not run off your pump equipment and has such high quality filtration it could help supplement your current filtering. If you can, post the pics. Thanks

Thanks a lot for all your help, today it's raining so tomorrow, will try to post pics