Greg the problem is one of two possibilities. First is an air leak on the suction side of the pump. The second and probably the more likey is that the check valve is alowing water to flow back. I would install either a ball valve or a knife valve on the suction side of the priming pot and not rely on the check valve for priming. To prime the pump with the valve installed use the following procedure. Close the valve and than fill the priming pot with water. Turn the pump on and then open the valve. Before opening the valve look thru the top on the priming pot. The water in the pot should be full or almost full with the valve closed and the pump running. If it isn't than there is an air leak between the valve and the intake of the pump. If the pump doesn't start sucking in water close the valve with the pump still running. Turn the pump off and fill the pot again. Turn the pump on than open the valve. Keep repeating this process until the pump is primed. The pump should not be off unless the valve is closed first until the pump is primed. Depending on how long the suction pipe above water level will determine how many times you have to repeat the procedure.
Mike

I actually was just thinking about this and the lid to my priming pot does not have any type of gasket. The one or two times that I actually got the pump running, water would leak out of the top...that really shouldn't be. I think that is one of the main problmes. I am going to try to find a 6in O-ring tomorrow and then try your trick Mike, with the ball valve.

Imagine that! Mike hit it on the head again without all the information! Very cool!

-TT

The leaky O-ring on the strainer basket is a usual culprit. Oncs every four years I put some vasoline on the O-ring to help seal. Question for anyone, is that a problem? So far it does not seem to be.

Yes without the o-ring on the top priming the pump won't work. Once the o-ring is installed you can probably get by without the valve but I would still put it in as it will save you a lot of headaches down the road. Without it everytime you will find when you clean the strainer the pump will have to be primed again.
Curb I would use either a silicone plumbers grease or teflon based o-ring grease instead of vasoline. Vasoline will cause some o-rings to grow larger. I perfer a product called magic Lube.
Mike

Thanks everybody for the help. I went to Home Depot and Lowes today trying to find an O-ring that was 6 inches. The guys there looked at me crazy. If I don't hear back from the company tomorrow I will probably go to a pool store or try my pond supplier.

Do you know what brand primer pot you have? Or what it looks like.
Mike

This is the priming pot I have. (link below) I am not really sure who makes it. It has a big "W" on the top though.

Here is a link that might be useful: Priming Pot

Ok it is a Waterway priming pot and takes a 1/4 x 5 7/8 x 6 3/8 Buna O-ring. If you have an industrial supply place that sells bearing they should have or if you a Motion Industries, Inc near you they will have. If you can't find one let me know because I stock them.
Mike

Mike you are awesome...thank you for all your help. I actually called the place I bought it from today and they are sending it second day air. I will have it either Wednesday or Thursday.

On another note, if you haven't already dealt WaterGarden.com, I would highly recommend them. They are great to work with and were really helpful with everything.

Thanks again guys
Greg