Air bubbles in return jets

Hi everyone,

I seem to have a water leak somewhere on the suction side of my pool equipment. I can see air bubbles in the clear lid that is attached to the pool pump.

I tightened the cover to the clear lid, tightened all union connections but I still cant figure out where air is getting in.

I've got two areas that I suspect:

1) The jandy 3 way valve has a broken grease cup thread stuck in the hole and I currently have a piece of duct tape over the hole cause I know it is sucking/leaking water.

2) The elbow coming out of the pump that is connected to a rubber hose that feeds water to the DE filter. The way the pipes are plumbed, the elbow cannot be screwed all the way in because it doesnt leave enough room to slide on the rubber tubing and clamp. I have it threaded most of the way and silicone caulking all around the elbow forming a seal. As of right now I dont see any water leaks or hear any hissing so I dont think this is it.

I have a picture of my setup, but I cant post any attachments.

You could try the hose trick and pour water over various areas and see where the bubble disappears. Is there a large amount of air in the pump basket or very tiny bubbles?

Its not a whole lot of air in the pump basket, just some swirling at the top. And ive noticed that after the pump has been running for a while the number of bubbles do cut down. But I'm still getting a steady stream of bubbles coming out with the water at the return jets.

I assume that Jandy valve is on the suction side? You're right in assuming the suction side is the leak source. If that valve is on the suction side try drying off that grease thing and putting a blob of silicone seal over it. I'm not familiar with those valves but silicone seal is great for plugging suction side leaks.
Al

I put a blob of silicone in the hole and then covered it with duct tape. I'm not seeing any bubbles or water splashes when i turn the pump off. I'm attaching some pics to see if you guys can identify problem areas. I think I may try to teflon tape some the threaded connection between the pump and plumbing union. Maybe even put some silicon caulk around the joints.

Could this air leak be causing my de filter pressure to go up to 20 after about an hour of running and the pump basket to stop filling up with water? Or is that more of me just fighting my annual algae war as I do every spring?
http://i801.photobucket.com.KILLED/a...Pics/photo.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M...s800/photo.jpg
http://i801.photobucket.com.KILLED/a...ics/photo2.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...800/photo2.jpg
http://i801.photobucket.com.KILLED/a...ics/photo3.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e...800/photo3.jpg

The air leak wouldn;t be causing the pressure to rise. It's most likely the algae war doing it. I think you have the situation under control. Teflon tape is usually all that is required.
Al