Free Repair Guides

What Is Your Pump Doing?

Pick your symptom below and get straight to the fix — written by a 39-year repair veteran, no fluff.

Pick Your Symptom

Won’t Turn OnNothing happens when you flip the switch — work through 6 checks before calling anyone. Usually a tripped breaker or dead capacitor.Fix It →
Keeps Tripping the BreakerBreaker cuts out every time the pump runs — diagnose whether it’s the capacitor, a motor winding, or a wiring fault.Fix It →
Grinding or Screeching NoiseLoud grinding or screeching while running — usually worn bearings or debris in the impeller. Catch it before the motor goes.Fix It →
Hums But Won’t Spin UpMotor hums when switched on but the shaft won’t turn — 90% of the time it’s a dead capacitor. A $15 fix that takes 15 minutes.Fix It →
Weak or No Water FlowPump runs but barely moves water — most common causes are an air leak, clogged impeller, or a closed valve in the line.Fix It →
Leaking at the MotorWater dripping under the pump housing — a worn shaft seal is a $20 fix if caught early. Left alone it destroys the motor bearings.Fix It →
Hayward SuperPump ProblemsThe most common SuperPump failure points with step-by-step, model-specific fixes for this widely-used pump.Fix It →
Pentair IntelliFlo Error CodesEvery IntelliFlo alarm decoded — exactly what the code means and what to check or replace to clear it.Fix It →

Won’t Stay PrimedPump runs but never builds suction — 7 causes from O-rings to air leaks, in the order to check them.Fix It →

Leaking WaterWhere it drips tells you the fix — shaft seal, lid O-ring, union fittings, or cracked housing.Fix It →

Motor Needs ReplacementHow to match the replacement motor and do the swap yourself — saves $150–300 in labor.Fix It →

Above-Ground Pool PumpAbove-ground pumps fail differently — priming, filter clogs, thermal trips, and Intex-specific fixes.Fix It →

Impeller CloggedPump sounds fine but pressure gauge reads near zero — a clogged impeller is a free fix in 20 minutes.Fix It →

Keeps Losing PrimePrimes fine then loses suction after 10–20 minutes — almost always a slow air leak on the suction side.Fix It →

Making NoiseGrinding, screeching, rattling, or humming — the sound tells you exactly what’s wrong and what it costs to fix.Fix It →

Overheating / Shuts OffPump runs 20–45 minutes then shuts itself off — thermal overload is tripping from one of 6 fixable causes.Fix It →

Pentair SuperFlo ProblemsModel-specific fixes for the SuperFlo — won’t start, hums, trips breaker, leaks, weak flow.Fix It →

Making a NoiseGrinding means bearings. Humming means capacitor. Rattling means impeller debris. Match your sound to the fix.Fix It →

Need to Replace the Pump?Full cost breakdown — single-speed $200–450, variable-speed $600–1,100. Plus when to repair vs replace.See Costs →

Don’t See Your Symptom?

Browse the full troubleshooting guide, check the articles index, or send me your question directly — I read every one.