Not self priming itself. when it turns off the water pushes back out of the skimmer and pushes the basket up. it loses water and the pump cant re-prime itself.

If your Sta-rite vertical mse-7 pump will not prime, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check the water level: Make sure the water level in the pool or spa is high enough to reach the skimmer and the pump. Low water levels can cause the pump to lose prime.
2. Check the skimmer basket: Make sure the skimmer basket is clean and free of debris. A clogged skimmer basket can restrict water flow and prevent the pump from priming.
3. Check the pump lid O-ring: Make sure the pump lid O-ring is in good condition and properly seated. A damaged or misaligned O-ring can cause air leaks and prevent the pump from priming.
4. Check the suction plumbing: Check the suction plumbing for leaks, cracks, or other damage. Any air leaks on the suction side of the pump can cause loss of prime.
5. Check the impeller: If the impeller is damaged or clogged with debris, it can prevent the pump from priming. Remove the pump basket and inspect the impeller for damage or debris. Clean or replace the impeller as needed.
6. Check the pump seal: If the pump seal is damaged, it can allow air to enter the pump and prevent priming. Inspect the pump seal for damage and replace it if necessary.

If none of these troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, you may need to call a professional pool service technician to diagnose and repair the problem.

The normal procedure would be to unscrew the top of the inlet basket and fill that with water until it flow out down the inlet pipe, then replace the top cover. Make sure the skimmer box basket is clean, the pool water level is high, or put a fast running hose in the skimmer box to make sure the primed pump does not have to pull the water up from too low at the inlet.

If it will not pull the pool water in when started, then -
- there is a leak or blockage somewhere on the inlet side
- the pump impeller is damaged
- the filter is clogged too much and causing back pressure
- the pump power and pipe sizing are mismatched

Check for water flow / water flow restrictions / and water flow blockages.

Many things create water flow reductions: Dirty filters, plugged impellers, packed with debris baskets - both skimmers and at pump, closed to partially closed valves, air suction leaks: worn shaft seal, worn orings at pump lid or pump volute body, low water level, stuck skimmer weir blade/gate in the up position & skimmer empties and air is sucked into the system which may cause the pump to lose prime. This a problem that goes un-noticed and is hard to detect even by some service technicians!

Hi to prime your pump you fill the strainer basket with water and make sure all connections are tight with no leaks. Once you seal the lid turn on your pump and it should prime. If you have an issue you can force water through the suction line by putting a hose in the skimmer and force the water through your suction line. Time to Open the Swimming Pool

if this is a inground try only the main drain if it works something is in the skimmer line

It sounds like your pool pump might have lost its prime. Make sure the lid is on and is secured tightly. Check your water level to make sure that it is above the skimmers. Make sure the suction lines, pump strainer, and pump pot are full of water. After you check these things, re-prime. If this still doesn't solve the problem, also check for clogged baskets and worn out gasket/valve. Make sure that you don't have an visible air leaking in the pool (look for bubbles).

Is there enough water in the pool 1/2 way up the skimmer flap to prime the lines, Are the skimmers clogged? Are all valves in their correct position? Have you checked the gasket on the top of the filter? Is the spring weak/broken, handle should have some tension, has the gasket rolled, torn or slid?

Ok I''m assuming the pump is mounted higher than the water level in the pool. This means it needs to be primed. If everything is air tight, it should be self priming. Check to be sure your piping is open from the skimmer to the pump and not clogged. You can put a garden hose into the suction line of the pump and feel for flow coming up out of the bottom of the skimmer. If that is ok, then fill the pump strainer basket with water. Be sure filter is selected to filter. Make sure that the basket cover is tight to the cover gasket. After filling basket with water, quickly close the cover and start pump. If it still doesn't work, fill the basket again with water and check for any leaks. If the mechanical seal is leaking, it will not self prime. I'm not sure what type of pump you have, but Hayward has complete manuals for their pumps on www.haywardnet.com. Most pumps work about the same. GOOD LUCK!

Add water to the pump pod basket and you might have to do this several times but it should prime.

The Pool Tech

sounds like a priming problem. look at the check valve in front of the pump in the suction line. sounds as if it is loosing its prime so you don't have enough water close enough to the pump to get it primed.