Air bubbles in pump basket when valve is on skimmer

[avelino]

Hi

Got a problem with air bubbles in the pump basket when I have my Jandy 3 way valve set to skimmer. I have two suctions, the skimmer and one port in the deep end, then a return jet by the stairs in the low end. When I set the valve to close skimmer 100% the air bubbles in the basket disappear, which tells me no air leak in that pipe run. When I set the valve back to the middle position which has both suction pipes 100% open, I get the air bubbles back. When I set valve to skimmer 100% and deep end suction closed I get alot of air bubbles.

So I believe I have a leak in the pipes going to the skimmer. I tries running water over each connection to see if it would make the bubbles disappear, no luck. Then I temporarily used self fusing pipe tape on each connection, one at a time, to see if I could see where the leak is but could not find it. Not sure where to look next. Could it be the Jandy valve?

Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[Texas Splash]

The valve is a possibility and probably easiest to work on when considering the effort to get to your skimmer plumbing - especially if it's under concrete. The fact that you have a 3-way valve managing two suction lines certainly helped you with the process of elimination. Just in case though, make sure you exhaust everything on the Pool School - Suction Side Air Leaks. Good luck.

 

[avelino]

I dont think its the valve because when I close the skimmer pipe and have suction from the vacuum port only the bubbles disappear. Is there some kind of sealant I can use around the joints on each connection that will seal an air leak that close to the pump? I am going to put a shop vac on the skimmer line see if I can blow anything that may be stuck in there out.

I noticed my weir door sometimes sticks when people are in the pool, I propped the door open last night to see if that would make any change but I still had bubbles in the basket. I also topped the pool water level off but that didnt make a difference either.

Not sure where to look next