This has been dogging me for a few weeks now and my Google Fu has not helped me find an answer; please Obi-Wan TFP, you're my only hope...
(Also apologies in advance if my signature doesn't have pool details, it's been a long time since I posted, I'll check that right after I post this...)
I think I have an air leak, but the symptoms don't seem to fit? I've checked and silicone-lubed the strainer pot lid and the filter tank lid's O-rings. It's a Clean and Clear 200 (I think it the proper name.) I just put in a brand new filter a couple nights ago. The strainer pot doesn't lose water, there's only a small bubble of air at the top when everything is off. When I turn it on, it gets loud and there's a turbulent vortex in the strainer pot. I've opened the pump twice to check the impeller (everything is clean, the impeller is even see-through plastic and it's spotless). I lubed the pump o-ring as well. When running, there is strong return from the two jets in the pool, and no bubbles. However, after about an hour or so, if I open the air relief valve in the tank, I get a whoosh of air, and after a good few seconds I finally get water flow. Pressure is virtually zero in the tank even though the pool seems to circulate (I can tell by dust and leaves that it's definitely moving). If I leave it for a longer period of time, it takes longer to fill up the tank, plus I eventually start seeing bubbles in the return jets, so I'm definitely getting air at some point, somewhere.
I've tried shaving cream, dishsoap bubbles, and immersing all the joints before the pump with a garden hose in an effort to find a leak. I've tried on the strainer pot lid as well. There's no valves before the pump, just a short bit of PVC pipe (1.5"). This pool is fairly old, my grandparents built it when I was a kid. Seemed to work more or less just fine until a few weeks ago after I vacuumed using a leaf catcher inline with a hose. I thought perhaps I could have somehow gotten a clog in the skimmer intake line, but I've used a Drain Jet Hydaulic tool on it many many times, both directions, to no avail - plus it seems like the water flow is about right for what I'd expect to see come out of a garden hose.
The pool doesn't lose any water though, so I don't think I have a leak below the water surface. Could I have a leak underground, but above the water line? (The pump is on a concrete pad, somewhat above the water level, maybe a couple feet or so). I'm at my wits end, I can't figure out where this slow air leak seems to come from. Is it time for me to lay out the cash to have someone fix this, or fill it in and pretend like I wanted a lawn? Please, grant me your wisdom, TFP!
And apologies for the wall of text!
(Also apologies in advance if my signature doesn't have pool details, it's been a long time since I posted, I'll check that right after I post this...)
I think I have an air leak, but the symptoms don't seem to fit? I've checked and silicone-lubed the strainer pot lid and the filter tank lid's O-rings. It's a Clean and Clear 200 (I think it the proper name.) I just put in a brand new filter a couple nights ago. The strainer pot doesn't lose water, there's only a small bubble of air at the top when everything is off. When I turn it on, it gets loud and there's a turbulent vortex in the strainer pot. I've opened the pump twice to check the impeller (everything is clean, the impeller is even see-through plastic and it's spotless). I lubed the pump o-ring as well. When running, there is strong return from the two jets in the pool, and no bubbles. However, after about an hour or so, if I open the air relief valve in the tank, I get a whoosh of air, and after a good few seconds I finally get water flow. Pressure is virtually zero in the tank even though the pool seems to circulate (I can tell by dust and leaves that it's definitely moving). If I leave it for a longer period of time, it takes longer to fill up the tank, plus I eventually start seeing bubbles in the return jets, so I'm definitely getting air at some point, somewhere.
I've tried shaving cream, dishsoap bubbles, and immersing all the joints before the pump with a garden hose in an effort to find a leak. I've tried on the strainer pot lid as well. There's no valves before the pump, just a short bit of PVC pipe (1.5"). This pool is fairly old, my grandparents built it when I was a kid. Seemed to work more or less just fine until a few weeks ago after I vacuumed using a leaf catcher inline with a hose. I thought perhaps I could have somehow gotten a clog in the skimmer intake line, but I've used a Drain Jet Hydaulic tool on it many many times, both directions, to no avail - plus it seems like the water flow is about right for what I'd expect to see come out of a garden hose.
The pool doesn't lose any water though, so I don't think I have a leak below the water surface. Could I have a leak underground, but above the water line? (The pump is on a concrete pad, somewhat above the water level, maybe a couple feet or so). I'm at my wits end, I can't figure out where this slow air leak seems to come from. Is it time for me to lay out the cash to have someone fix this, or fill it in and pretend like I wanted a lawn? Please, grant me your wisdom, TFP!
And apologies for the wall of text!
