PUMP PRIMING

This procedure should be performed if it is observed that a pump/motor comes on but is not moving water. This condition usually occurs after a drain and refill on older spas, but can occur on newer spas as well.

1.     Turn the power off to the spa. If the spa is older and has a filter mounted on top of the spa with a sealed lid that slips into the

top of the filter canister, open the bleed plug on the top of the lid allowing all of the air to escape. (If your spa is newer and doesn’t have this filter lid, go to step 2.) Close the bleed plug. You can then turn the power back on and turn on the high speed jets. This may be all that’s necessary. If the water starts to flow from the jets, you’re now finished. Just turn the high speed jets back off and allow

the spa to heat up and run normally. If you still don’t have water flow, go to the next step.

2.     Again, turn the power off. Next, you’ll need to look in the equipment area and locate the gate valves. These are valves with a

“T” handle and a visible silver rod that extends down into the valve body. You’ll find one on each side of the pump. We now need

to close (push down) the gate valve on the pressure, or discharge, side of the pump, while leaving the suction, or intake valve open.

The suction side is on the same axis as the shaft of the motor, while the pressure side is perpendicular to the axis of the motor. In

some cases, the pressure side valve is located on the far side of the heater. Older Cal Spas may have another valve to close on the

far right side that has a smaller red line going to it. That’s the ozone line, and it needs to be closed as well.

3.     Find the bleed plug. This will be either on the face of the pump or on the plumbing elbow that is attached to the pump. You’ll probably need a pair of pliers or screwdriver to loosen the plug. Once loose, remove the plug but be aware that there is an o-ring

there that we don’t want to loose. As the plug is removed, you’ll hear air hissing out along with water running out from the bleed plug hole. Allow several gallons of water to come out. This is necessary and won’t hurt anything.

4.     When the water flow has no more air, replace the bleed plug, and open the gate valve(s) you closed above. Turn the power

back on and activate the high speed jets for that motor. We want to use high speed because it has much greater pull through the

intake as compared to low speed.

5.     If you were successful, you will begin to see and hear the water and air now coming out of the jets. As the air purges, the water flow will become normal and consistent.

6.     If there is still no flow, repeat the above until you get flow from the jets.

7.     Please call us at (719) 630-3100 if your have further difficulty. We’ll be happy to assist you.

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