Loosing pressure -troubleshooting please- got the answer

[Europhyllia]

I got a Rio 2100 that I use to pump saltwater from the bug brute in the laundry room to the tanks in the dining room.
Today I couldn't pump. The pump came on when plugged in but couldn't get enough pressure to actually pump the water up and over the rim of the Brute.

I took it apart and tested it in the sink where - of course - it worked great and shot water across the room very efficiently :bareteeth:

So. What might be the problem? Do I just need a new part or do I need a new pump?

[Texreefer]

Kick it!!! No really... sometimes, especially on older ones, if they have some head pressure they need a bump to get started.. i have no Idea if that doesn't help

[txmike]

I would say clean it and try to see if that helps if not maybe try a new impeller/shaft .

[justahobby]

Leak in the connected hose?

[Europhyllia]

kicked it and cleaned it. It always comes on. It just never quite gets the water over 2 or 3 feet high

[Europhyllia]

Leak in the connected hose?

No leak :(

[kkiel02]

Check to see if the hose is clear of water down line. If there is water in the hose it will be very hard to pump the water. I found this out while draining some of my tanks. Also it may end up being the head pressure, although you have done this routine before. You may want to try and suck on the empty end of the hose to help it make it over. Just be quick so water doesnt go everywhere.

[Europhyllia]

ding ding ding!!! YOU ARE THE WINNER!

Ugh I already ordered a replacement pump. Guess I have a spare now.

But yes, it worked as soon as I drained the hose completely.

Learned something new! THANKS :)

[kkiel02]

Glad you got it! You can never have too many pumps anyways. :)

[BSJF]

Dang, I would have been the winner if I didn't have to work so much. Glad it is working for you now. And in the future a kick is always good if the impeller doesn't start up right away, loosens the salt residue on it. Different symptoms than what you had. I did know the answer to this one without peaking at Kevin's answer. I feel smart, even if I didn't win.

[Europhyllia]

Isn't it amazing that it's possible to learn something new all the time even after doing this for a really long time though?
Okay maybe I am the last one to know that you need an empty hose... ;)

[Kristy]

That's what I love about this hobby (and hate about it too). I'm always learning something new...does that mean I'm a slow learner?

[Texreefer]

Dang, I would have been the winner if I didn't have to work so much. Glad it is working for you now. And in the future a kick is always good if the impeller doesn't start up right away, loosens the salt residue on it. Different symptoms than what you had. I did know the answer to this one without peaking at Kevin's answer. I feel smart, even if I didn't win.
Just for future reference if anyone sees this... I knew the pump was starting but it can also run without pumping..(cavitate= 1. The sudden formation and collapse of low-pressure bubbles in liquids by means of mechanical forces, such as those resulting from rotation of a marine propeller) sometimes giving it a bump will clear this problem and it will start up. was not the case here but a likely scenario