Pool equipment can malfunction or, after years of ownership, begin to deteriorate. If you are experiencing problems with your swimming pool pump, motor or other equipment, use this handy chart to help you identify the possible cause of the problem. If you don't see your problem listed here, please contact the experts at your local Pinch A Penny store who are ready to help with any pool equipment problems you have.
My pool pump won't prime.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| The pool filter is severely clogged. |
Clean and/or replace the filter elements, sand or diatomaceous earth in the filter. |
| The impeller clogged with debris. |
Clean or replace impeller. Note: the normal time for some pumps to prime is 2 to 5 minutes. |
| There is a faulty seal in pump lid gasket. |
Replace the gaskets and/or tighten bolts between the motor and pump, or lid. |
| The pool pump lid not tight. |
Tighten the lid. |
Water is leaking between my pool pump and motor.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| Motor shaft seal or gaskets are worn. |
Replace seals or gaskets and tighten the bolts between pump and motor. |
The pool pump motor continually makes noise.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| There are worn bearings in the motor. |
Replace the pool pump motor. |
The pool pump motor gets hot and shuts down.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| There is low voltage on 220 where one line has dropped. |
Repair the line. |
| The holes in the motor to the cooling fan are blocked or damaged. |
Clear the holes of debris or repair the fan. |
The motor hums or buzzes, but will not start.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| The pump motor has seized. |
Clean, lubricate and unseize the motor. Clean centrifugal switch contacts. |
| There is a faulty capacitor or switch. |
Replace the capacitor or switch. |
| The winding is burned. |
Rewind or replace the motor. |
The pump motor starts slowly.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| The capacitor is faulty. |
Replace the pool pump motor capacitor. |
The motor won't turn on.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| The motor or wires are burned. |
Replace the motor or burned wires. |
| There is a timer problem or the breaker is flipped. |
Fix or replace the timer or fix the breaker. |
Dirt is coming back into the pool.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| The cartridge filter element is allowing water over or under the element, or there is a tear in the material. |
Replace the cartridge element. |
| The Diatomaceous Earth filter has cracked manifolds or ripped or torn grids/fingers. |
Replace the parts or buy a new filter. |
Pressure never builds up on the gauge.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| A defective pressure gauge. |
Turn the pump on and immediately turn off. If needle does not move, replace the gauge. |
| The pump basket is filled with debris. |
Clean the pump basket. |
Filter doesn't seem to clean the pool.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| You have a defective filter, or the filter is too small for the pool size. |
Replace defective parts or replace the filter. |
Water leaks out of the waste line.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| The sand filter multi-port spider gasket is worn. |
Replace the spider gasket. |
Water leaks out around the valve handle on multi-port valve.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| The O-Ring on the shaft and/or the shaft bearing is defective. |
Replace the key stem assembly. |
The valve handle on the multi-port valve is hard to turn on.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| The nylon bearing is worn out or there is debris around shaft. |
Replace with a new key stem assembly. |
There is sand all over the bottom of the pool.
Possible Cause
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Solution
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| There is a broken lateral in the sand filter. |
Replace the lateral or entire filter. |
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