vacuum loses suction quickly

[FuSeNoDe]

Check List Guidelines I follow:

When you have pressure problems you need to do a System Check.

1) Check your hose's and seals. Make sure the Hose's and Seal Connections are tight. If hard piped make sure there are no cracks in the PVC pipe or if any couplings connections have lost seal (Glue giving out)

2)Check your Pump. Make sure the lid is sealed and tightened properly. Check your Pump Seal Gasket make sure its in a Healthy State Not Worn.
Make sure the Drain plug on your pump is tightened properly.

3)Check your Filter. Make sure all the connections are sealed and tightened. Make sure the seal that holds the Filter and Head is tightened properly as well.

If you follow this steps you should find any air leak that you have.

Typically if you shut off your pump and look for any leaks you will find your source. Sometimes you will need to hand examine everything close up with your eyes to see any defect.
I hope this post has helped as it helps me each year when starting up my system.

[FuSeNoDe]

After a few minutes of vacuuming it loses prime. It is not the hose or cover not fitting. I have tried to see if it was the sand by putting it on recirculation but the same problem occurs of the vacuum cover popping and losing prime. The jets also shoot air when this happens. Can someone give me suggestions?

Bubbles mean Air Leak. Find the leak you fix the problem check your pump there is a drain plug on it that allot of people over think about. When you winterize your pump for the winter you drain the water from it make sure you have tightened it.

[tuffy777]

When I'm vacuuming my above ground pool, I start with real good suction power. Within 2 or 3 minutes, I have lost all suction. I backwash the filter, but the backwashed water isn't very dirty. I start vacuuming again and have real good suction for another 2 or 3 minutes, but again, I lose sucking power. I backwash again, and again I have good sucking power for a couple of minutes. I have not had this problem in past years.
Do I have a problem with my pump or filter?
Thanks,
Kenny

My experience as a above ground pool owner for yrs is this happens if the hose has a tiny hole or crack somewhere. Sneaky lil boogers but got me a few times

[Denniswiseman]

Virtually all air leaks are on the suction side of your pump, your filter and returns are pressurised so should only leak water if there is a leak
Is the water level half way up the skimmer
Does the skimmer flap move freely (not jammed up) or restricted
Check and lubricate the pump basket "O" ring with silicone grease or Vaseline

[Rocha]

When I'm vacuuming my above ground pool, I start with real good suction power. Within 2 or 3 minutes, I have lost all suction. I backwash the filter, but the backwashed water isn't very dirty. I start vacuuming again and have real good suction for another 2 or 3 minutes, but again, I lose sucking power. I backwash again, and again I have good sucking power for a couple of minutes. I have not had this problem in past years.
Do I have a problem with my pump or filter?
Thanks,
Kenny

[Rocha]

Have the same problem and can not figure out whats wrong!! Help me please!! Rocha thank you

[Psummer]

Everything in my pool is working perfectly until I plug in my hose and then I lose suction. I have checked for holes or leaks and found none but replaced hose just in case. I have tried different skimmers, checked the valves were in proper place, filled the hose and tried vac to waste as well as thru filter. Nothing works. Please help me.

[Denniswiseman]

Everything in my pool is working perfectly until I plug in my hose and then I lose suction. I have checked for holes or leaks and found none but replaced hose just in case. I have tried different skimmers, checked the valves were in proper place, filled the hose and tried vac to waste as well as thru filter. Nothing works. Please help me.

Is there normal suction from where you plug in the vacuum hose?
When you connect the hose does the pump basket fill with air?
When you fill the hose with water before vacuuming do you lift it out of the water without sealing the end?
Have you lubricated the pump basket "O" ring with silicone grease?