1 Return Jet Not Working ..Air in lines..?

tommypenngotti · Apr 25, 2020

I have been battling trying to find why Im getting bubbles (air) in return lines . I know its a suction side leak of some kind....but today I noticed 1 return jet not even functional ..

I have replace all O rings, basket, Pump Pot Lid.
Flushed out impeller & skimmer w water bladder
Cartridge Clean

I have a Barracuda hooked up to an intake over across pool opposite of skimmer ...

PSI looks normal in between 10-20

I'm at a loss & beginning to think I have an underground leak causing all this?
Thanks !

ajw22 · Apr 26, 2020

Sounds like you have two separate problems 1) a suction side air leak, and 2) no flow in one return line. Which one do you want to work on first?

Have you read...

Suction Side Air Leaks

If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more

www.troublefreepool.com

Post pics of your equipment and pool.

How many returns do you have? How do you know you have no flow versus low flow? What is your filter pressure? Was there no change when you last cleaned your filter?

Jimrahbe · Apr 26, 2020

Tommy,

It is odd that one return line has no water flow... Did it work before and now does not? Are you sure there is no flow or maybe real flow?

If the line was broken below ground, so that you had no flow, then you should notice water or a wet spot somewhere, and the water level should be dropping like crazy with the pump running.

Let's see a few pics of your equipment pad, showing all your valves, input and output pipes..

Thanks,

Jim R.

tommypenngotti · Apr 26, 2020

Photos attached....I've replaced just about everything . I did my own evaporation / leak test (pencil mark in skimmer , 2 days) about 1/4" down..but that's when it was about 55 degrees at night & 70 in day...so not conclusive if I have an underground leak....the pool is definitely not "leaking like crazy" . There are only 2 small O-rings I haven't replaced yet: Jpegs 4398/4399 . I did the soapy water test , found nothing? Pressure is consistently 15, right now the 3 return jets 2 are kicking back bubbles , return #1 is barely pushing out any , the flow seems very low in that particular return...overall the returns seem to be not blasting the at the strength I remember in years past

Any ideas appreciated! Thanks!

Jimrahbe · Apr 26, 2020

Tommy,

The first thing I would do is take out the plug in the skimmer, remove the cleaner, move the Intake valve to all Skimmer.. And then see how things look.

It is almost impossible to suck all the water your pump needs just through the cleaner hose without sucking in a ton of air.

Is that a leak right at your filter air relief valve? If so, then I suspect that when you shut off your pump it, and half your filter water, drains right back into the pool... You need to get that whole assembly replaced.

Do your return ports have good solid flow or is it weak? When it the last time you cleaned your cartridges?

Thanks,

Jim R.

tommypenngotti · Apr 26, 2020

Jim - you mean in this direction correct ? Close the cleaner side?
I never thought of the relief valve being the culprit? You mean sucking in air at the relief valve? Soapy water test?
Cartridges were cleaned in late March , so all good there ...they are kinda old though , its been over 12 years since they've been replaced..thanks !

Jimrahbe · Apr 26, 2020

Tommy,

To be clear I do not think that the air relief valve is causing a suction side air leak.. It will however let your pump basket drain back into your pool when the pump is off. This will cause big bubbles when you start the pump back up.

As a good starting point I think it makes sense to see how well the pump works without the cleaner input. Just like you have it set in your post # 6 pic.

I would also make sure your solar is by-passed...

Run it that way for a day or so and tell us if the "bad" flow return is still bad.

Thanks,

Jim R.

tommypenngotti · Apr 26, 2020

I tried cleaner disconnected and all skimmer on valve, no change...trying to heat up pool right now , I'll turn off solar when I get to 85 ! ? Thanks Jim

tommypenngotti · Apr 28, 2020

ok so tried pool without solar for a bit , didn't seem to make much difference in the bubbles in return jets...my return jet #1 is definitely not pushing out with the same force as the other 2 ...I didn't have a leaf trap for quite a while & there could be a giant blockade somewhere in the suction side. 1 return in particular not working well..

Starting to think either I have an underground leak or my pump is fading WhisperFlo WFE-3 HP .75, although it doesn't seem to be making any weird noise or any different than years passed?

Here's another possible , I didn't have a leaf trap for quite a while & there could be a giant blockade somewhere in the suction side..

Also the PSI is about 15 ..a bit high? Do you think the old cartridges in filter are contributing anything negative other than ineffective cleaning? Thanks

so aggravating...

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