Wet dry vac suction not woking

The hose can be flushed out using a garden hose. The problem with wet vacs not sucking into the bucket is the float ball sticking. It rises and seals when the bucket has reached its fill level. This stops water reaching the motor.

The foam filter is for use when using the vac. to pick up water. Now you should have a paper filter for picking up dry material.If possible you may want to look inside of one at the store. Hope this helps.

Hello again.
When it says wet vacuuming, it means that the vacuum will pick up water, not dispense it. When you are using the vacuum to pick up water, you'll need to remove the paper filter element under the motor, inside the canister, to avoid ruining it. When the filter is removed, you will see a plactic ball inside a cage under the motor. It's purpose is to float up on the surface of the water being vacuumed up, and prevent the motor from getting water into it. You'll be able to tell when the canister is full; the noise the vacuum makes will change and sound higher. Also, the suction at the hose will quit. At that point, shut off the vacuum and drain the water.
Be sure to replace the paper filter when you swap back from liquids to solids.
Best regards, --W/D--

When you use the shop vac for cleaning up water you must remove the filter.

The filter is for dust particles not for water
I would replace your filter and dump the water out from the shop vac, Also after each time you vacuum up water dump it out of shop vac.

I hope this helped you happy new year!

there is a float ball or reed that closes off the exhaust port inside the canister, to prevent water from filling too high when used as awet vac. If lodged or trapped it will prevent suction or discharge in wet and dry modes. look at the housing that the filter attaches to and you will see it. if it doesnt rattle when you shake the unit up and down, it is stuck; otherwise, you must not be spinning the fan blades.

can I run my sears shop vac without the paper bag, for dry pickup?

There is a float in the water collection chamber that closes off the opening below the filter. Make sure that the float is moving freely and the hole under the filter is not obstructed. Reply if this is not the problem, I have one sitting here that I can look at for other possibilities.