Agreed, I checked every fitting connection and had just replaced all the hoses so they actually were the correct size for the fitting that they mated with (not the case before I started this part of the project). If they were responsible for the suction leak I would have expected the problem to continue after installing the new pump. The new pump primed and was moving water almost as soon as the starter engaged.

I think the dishwashing detergent being injected into the new pump had the effect of jump starting the thing. I will find some time today to tear down the old pump and look again for any other obvious problems. The new impeller I had installed when on pretty easily so it should have been able to center itself in the pump body. The old damaged impeller fought like crazy to come off the shaft and it is at least conceivable that there was damage done to the body in that old impeller failing. I knew full well how expensive the new pump was, so had gone to some lengths to avoid replacing it.

Dave Graf