Plugged air vent on Hayward filter?

[wysocki]

I have a Hayward W3DE6020 60 Sq. Ft filter and I think there's a problem with the little air bleed tube that's on top of the filter stack. We're in the LA area and the recent wildfires and wind have dumped a ton of debris in my pool. I scooped out what I could but then ran a vacuum head to get up what I could. After most was picked up, I cleaned the filter grids and added DE. I think I must have an air leak in the line coming from the pool's vacuum port because soon the filter basket showed a lot of air coming in. And after a couple of minutes, I would open the bleed valve on top of the filter and a LOT of air comes out.

This happens repeatedly so I suspect that the air bleed tube is not allowing air buildup in the top of the filter to be pushed out. Although I hosed it off while cleaning, is it possible it's plugged or damaged from the large amount of debris that came in? And to clean or replace it, can I just drain the filter can, remove the top, fix the tube, then replace the top without having to reapply DE?

 

[1poolman1]

I have a Hayward W3DE6020 60 Sq. Ft filter and I think there's a problem with the little air bleed tube that's on top of the filter stack. We're in the LA area and the recent wildfires and wind have dumped a ton of debris in my pool. I scooped out what I could but then ran a vacuum head to get up what I could. After most was picked up, I cleaned the filter grids and added DE. I think I must have an air leak in the line coming from the pool's vacuum port because soon the filter basket showed a lot of air coming in. And after a couple of minutes, I would open the bleed valve on top of the filter and a LOT of air comes out.

This happens repeatedly so I suspect that the air bleed tube is not allowing air buildup in the top of the filter to be pushed out. Although I hosed it off while cleaning, is it possible it's plugged or damaged from the large amount of debris that came in? And to clean or replace it, can I just drain the filter can, remove the top, fix the tube, then replace the top without having to reapply DE?

The screen can get clogged faster than the filter, especially if there is a lot of fine debris being vacuumed.
Biggest issue is where is the air getting into the system?
When vacuuming, the pump is working harder pulling from the bottom of the pool and will get air anywhere it can, so be sure that the pump-lid O ring is properly lubed. That is the first place to look.