Need Pump Advice, Please

[PopcornGirl]

Hey, I just realized we can play with the font on this board!

Sorry, back to my questions...

Ok, I have a 12,000 gallon, in-ground, gunite pool that is almost 6 years old.
My pool pump is (was?) a Pac Fab Challenger 1 HP -- also about 6 years old.
Tonight, suddenly, my pump stopped pulling water.
Obviously, this seems like a blockage of some sort as it happened rather suddenly and I am going to get that ruled out.
We tried inserting a hose (wrapped with a towel) into the pipe from the pump end (reverse flow direction) and turned it on full-blast to see if that would dislodge anything. A few leaves came out of the skimmer, but that's all. water flow from the hose, out of the skimmer was pretty decent considering our water pressure here is not wonderful.
However, even though some water came through BOTH the skimmer and the main drains, when we tried to restart the pump, NO water came through!
Not even a trickle!
I tried switching fully to skimmer, fully to main drain, and various levels in between. All to no avail.
My pump "sounds" the same -- there is no difference in noise -- but it is not pulling anything!
YES, I cleared the pump basket of debris & YES, my filter cartridges are clean. We took them out last weekend and soaked them and sprayed them till they were almost white again, so it can't be my filter, can it???

My questions are these:
1) What do YOU think is going on?
2) Any suggestions??
3) If I do need a new pump, how much (ballpark) should I expect to pay for pump and installation?
I still consider myself a bit of a novice at all this pool stuff and I do not want to get ripped off. Money is tight and I need to go into this as well-informed as I can!
Thanks so much in advance for any help you can give!

[mas985]

If the pump is not pulling any water, it is not pushing it either. It could be a return side blockage. What is the PSI of the filter? If it is high, then it is a return side blockage, if it is very low, then the problem could be with the pump, assuming you have ruled out the a suction side blockage. Also, is there air in the pump skimmer basket?

As for a new pump, that will depend on what you need it to do. I assume since it is a 1 HP pump that you are not running a spa or water feature with it. What about a automatic cleaner, suction or pressure? If the answer to all is no, then I would go with as small a pump as possible to save a bit on electricity. A 3/4 HP is probably all you need and two speed will offer even more savings.

[PopcornGirl]

The PSI on the filter is reading "0," so I don't think that's it.

Yes, there is air in the pump skimmer basket. The only water is what is backwashing into the basket from the pump when I shut it off (about 3 inches?). Otherwise, the pump basket is completely empty. I'm not even getting a trickle!

I don't have a spa or any water features and the only automatic cleaner I have is a Kreepy Krauly which simply runs off the pull from the skimmer line. I have not felt the 1 HP to be a particularly large drain on my energy bill; there really doesn't seem to be much difference in our bills when it's running a lot or not. The prices I am seeing online are around 300-350 dollars; does that sound about right? What can I expect to pay for installation (ball park)?
Thanks again!
PS: I had JUST opened my pool and spent all last week getting it perfectly balanced. It is clear & sparkling! So I REALLY don't want to wait too long to get this taken care of!

[Poconos]

Just possibly enough crud got past the pump basket to goop up the impeller. Hair can wreak havoc with impellers. Make absolutely sure the pump cannot power up and reach into the impeller area with your finger(s). Open all switches including the circuit breaker for the pump. With the basket removed you will see the hole leading to the pump chamber. The impeller should be right on the other side of the basket housing and the vanes should be clean and free of debris.
Best guess for now.
Al

[PopcornGirl]

UPDATE:
Ok, we pulled out the cartridges and closed the filter back up and powered it on again to see if we had bad cartridges -- STILL no pull AT ALL.

Then, we carefully removed the housing around the impeller (I tried to reach into it with my fingers, but my hand was too large for the opening). I really believed that it could be a clogged impeller -- it made perfect sense! -- but it was totally clear!

So, I guess I am looking at a new pump. I have seen several models that are comparable, price-wise, but I don't know the reputations of these brands.
Do any of you have an opinion or preference between these:

* HAYWARD 1 HP NORTHSTAR SWIMMING POOL PUMP SP4007X10NS
* Waterway Champion 1 HP CHAMPS-110
* Hayward Super Pump 1 HP ( #SP2607X10)
* Pentair Super Flo 1 HP Pool Pump
OR can you suggest another one????

[Poconos]

One other thing to try is to fire up the pump and dump water in the pump basket with a garden hose. See if it pumps out. If it does then you probably have a suction side air leak since you already ruled out a suction side blockage. Pumps are pretty simple. If they run, they will pump. May be noisy, may leak, may get hot, but they pump.
Al