I have always had a slight suction side leak, I never really cared since everything worked and it didn't really cause any issues. But this year it has gotten worse. I had thought about putting a 2 hp pump to replace the ancient 1.5 anyway so I bought a new pump and replumbed to attach and the slightly different shape and hopefully knock out this leak whether it was in the lid or the plumbing. Turned it on and I have the same problem low flow, lots of air, if I let it run and turn off the backflow of air will cause it lose prime. Also I can't get good flow from either the main or the skimmer.
I spent all afternoon digging down the 3' to the next connection to hopefully figure this out. I don't want to have to mess with this if I don't have to as it is almost impossible to get down this far. What would you suggest be my next step to test if this is actually where the issue is?
Here is what I am working with http://imgur.com/a/fhMZD ignore the tape I was just grasping at straws hoping to find some way to fix it.
I spent all afternoon digging down the 3' to the next connection to hopefully figure this out. I don't want to have to mess with this if I don't have to as it is almost impossible to get down this far. What would you suggest be my next step to test if this is actually where the issue is?
Here is what I am working with http://imgur.com/a/fhMZD ignore the tape I was just grasping at straws hoping to find some way to fix it.