Help - pump running, flow runs dry

[polyvue]

If the pump fails to prime and/or runs dry, stop the pump. If you're already out of town, call home and have the pump turned off until you return and have an opportunity to fully diagnose the problem.

As you've suggested, it might be a fracture in one of the supply lines, skimmer housing, maindrain or a blockage. You could try to eliminate sources by changing valve to 100% skimmer and, once the pump is on and primed, observe the skimmer throat. If no or very little water is being pulled from the skimmer, you've at least isolated the problem to the skimmer line. Others have found success in dislodging obstructions using a drain king... there are probably threads on this site that describe this in some detail.

[swimdaddy]

A couple of questions:

1. What do you mean by "it bubbles"? Do you see air bubbles in the pump basket while it is running?

2. DOes the pump lose prime immediately after turning on, or does it take some time?

3. If it does run for any time, do you have normal pressure, or is it higher or lower?

4. Did you say it takes several minutes for the pump basket to fill with water (with the pump off and the lid removed)?