Is it ok to open air relief valve on top of sand filter? ALL FIXED

[Ribbod]

***EDITED TO ADD THAT ITS FIXED. The multiport valve was the issue... all good now.


Pump losing prime overnight. Replaced Shaft seal, O-rings on the basket lid and replaced pump drain plugs... Still losing prime... I thought it was a suction side air leak, but still getting air whooshing into pump basket if i manually turn off pump. Wondering if my filter needs to release some built up pressure and I'm afraid to remove the air relief valve on top of my filter...Would this be ok to do? I don't have a check valve.

I'm referring to this piece on top of the sand filter:

 

[ajw22]

Suction side air leak pulls air into the system when the pump is running and leaks water when the pump is off.

Pressure side leak will leak water out when the pump is on and let air into the system and depressurize it when the pump is off.

If you have no leaks then your system should hold pressure when the pump is off and not have water be pushed out of the pump basket.

Your system could be depressurizing when the pump is off from a small leak anywhere.

 

[Ribbod]

Suction side air leak pulls air into the system when the pump is running and leaks water when the pump is off.

Pressure side leak will leak water out when the pump is on and let air into the system and depressurize it when the pump is off.

If you have no leaks then your system should hold pressure when the pump is off and not have water be pushed out of the pump basket.

Your system could be depressurizing when the pump is off from a small leak anywhere.

Right- I cant figure out where the leak is, all is well when pump is running...When the pump is off overnight, water drops in pump strainer basket and have to re-prime each morning... Sometimes when the pump is running during the day and i turn off, a whoooosh of air fills the basket and even rotates the basket in the pump strainer... Its odd

 

[ajw22]

Right- I cant figure out where the leak is,

It is frustrating because that type of leak can be at any pipe joint. You have to carefully look at every joint for any sign of wetness or sweating when the pump is running.

It may not leak much water out when the pump is running but it sounds like you have a leak on the pressure side with air sucked in through the leak when the pump turns off.

Wrap saran wrap around suspected joints. The wrap prevents air from being sucked in. If you wrap some areas and the system holds pressure then you unwrap one joint at a time until you isolate the one causing the problem. It takes time and is tedious but over time you can find the leak.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Additionally, try listening for the sound of air sucking into the plumbing when the pump is off. In your case, it may be drowned out the by the sound of the filter gurgling, but you may find the leak by sound if you know what to listen for.