Went out of town and water level dropped. Thought I burned the motor out (No water being pulled into pump basket. Seemed like the pump was just grinding.)

Cleaned the grids and installed a new motor today and it is the exact same symptoms. Primed for maybe 5 minutes. Seems like the new pump is barely running and no water is being drawn in still.

Any recommendations before I call a company to come out?

TIA

Did you change out the entire pump (including volute) or just put in a new motor? I'd think that running dry for an extended period would trash the impeller, which a new motor alone wouldn't fix.

I just replaced the motor. Just watched a few more videos and probably should have replaced all gaskets.

This my impeller, which didn't seem to be in bad shape. But maybe worth a shot to just replace all the guts.
https://www.amazon.com/Pentair-C105-137PD-Impeller-Replacement-Dura-Glas/dp/B008HZ7QA2

First timer with all of this. Just curious... what would a pool company charge me to replace the motor and volute?

Gonna be into this $500-600 DIY'ing everything. Am I even saving money at this point.

Wouldn't be surprised if a pool company charges 2-3 grand to install an entire new pump. One other thought that I had before you pull the trigger on that. If your pump was sucking air through the skimmer suction lines, those entire runs of pipe may be full of air and the pump could be struggling to pull prime with that volume to fill. I don't have a complete solution in my head but I'd try to use a hose (maybe starting in the pump strainer basket) to fill the lines with water as much as possible before starting up again.

Pulled it all apart again. Realized the impeller was no good. Freely spinning and no longer connected to drive. (Probably didn't need a new motor, oh well).

Ordered new impeller and gaskets. Should be in by early next week. Will try to prime for a good while.

Appreciate your help. Fingered crossed this will do it. Glad I am saving some coin too. Always earn brownie points from the wife this way.

Good deal. Also, I have one of these that I use when we leave town for extended period in the summer. Works perfectly to keep the water level up in the heat.

https://www.amazon.com/Fill-Matic-2000-swimming-leveler/dp/B07B2NQG2D/

Ok this is awesome. I am glad you posted this. Going to add to my wish list for next summer.

I don't have or want a permanent auto-filler but when I leave for vacation i basically assume somehow 10X normal evaporation will randomly occur and it gives me heartburn. Only had water get too low 1 time but it was my first summer with a pool so it makes me thing it will happen every time ha....

AnyOtherName said:

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Pulled it all apart again. Realized the impeller was no good. Freely spinning and no longer connected to drive. (Probably didn't need a new motor, oh well).

Ordered new impeller and gaskets. Should be in by early next week. Will try to prime for a good while.

Appreciate your help. Fingered crossed this will do it. Glad I am saving some coin too. Always earn brownie points from the wife this way.

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Hang onto the motor. Guaranteed you'll eventually need it

akaggie05 said:

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Wouldn't be surprised if a pool company charges 2-3 grand to install an entire new pump. One other thought that I had before you pull the trigger on that. If your pump was sucking air through the skimmer suction lines, those entire runs of pipe may be full of air and the pump could be struggling to pull prime with that volume to fill. I don't have a complete solution in my head but I'd try to use a hose (maybe starting in the pump strainer basket) to fill the lines with water as much as possible before starting up again.

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Especially since you probably can't get a new version of your existing single or two speed pump.