You did not mention the foot valve or the water source. If you are losing your prime you will want to make sure your foot valve is not leaking. Fill the suction line with water and allow it to sit for an hour or so. Go back and see if the water level is down. If so, replace the foot valve.

As to your water source... is it deep enough? Your foot valve needs to be at least a few inches below the water surface or it will suck in air. Also, if shallow, it could be sucking up debris from the bottom, clogging the foot valve screen.

Whatever it turns out to be, it sounds like the pump itself is okay. Air is your pumps worst enemy, especially on the suction side, and that is exactly what it sounds like. Air can also be a problem on the discharge side. Make sure your water has a clean exit with no air pockets.

Hope this helps!

--Previous Message--
: Hi, I'm having trouble getting my pump to
: prime, and even after it is primed it
: doesn't seem to be drawing water like it
: should. I've removed the outer housing to
: clean the impeller, cleaned the suction
: hose. The insert that goes in the housing;
: it has the bearing in it?... does that have
: to be in a certain position when you
: re-install it? Is it possible for it to slip
: around in there somehow? My pump is the one
: with the 9 h.p. Honda engine. I got it from
: Trickleez about 3 years ago, and it's worked
: perfectly up till last fall when I started
: having trouble. At the time I assumed the
: impeller was dirty. Does the impeller need
: replacing sometimes? It looks fine, I see no
: obvious damage or wear. Thanks!
: