Lots of air in return line (video) need advice

Aug 4, 2015
71
LAWRENCEBURG, IN
Pool Size
20000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hello, looking for some more incite on an air problem I'm having with my system. Towards the end of the season last year, I was getting a lot of small air bubbles from from first in line return jet. This year upon opening the pool, it has gotten worse. I've had a hard time getting the pump to even prime and when it does, I have major air coming from the return. I have read the pool school blog on the subject and here is what I have done to try to remedy the situation and my equipment. side note: the only air I was able to find prior to the tried remedies was water coming from the fitting going into the basket when I would shut the pump off.

All new seals in basket, and back to the pump.
New pump (I redid my electric and when ahead and installed a brand new pump. Had air problem both before and after new pump).
Replaced portion of the above ground PVC going into the basket and from the basket up to the filter.
Lubed all seals, cranked down basket lid, flushed suction line going to basket.

After all this, I saw initial improvement when starting pump. After a several minutes, it returned to having the air issue and having a hard time priming. It is a Heyward sand filter system with no chlorinator. Just looking for something I'm possibly missing or something else to try. I do have air coming out where the pump mounts to the basket assembly, I have no idea if this is normal or not (seems to be coming from the external parts of the threaded holes). Free and open to answer any questions on anything I have posted. Attached are before and after pics of the plumbing and a video. Thanks in advance!

 

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Try reviewing this info and specifically Section 1.10. There is another member with a similar situation regarding the priming issue but does not have the stream of bubbles you are seeing.

Look for an air leak after the filter.

Also, once the pump is primed and running, bleed all air from your filter (using bleed valve at top of filter housing or near the pressure gauge. After bleeding all air - does the jet still have a stream of bubbles?