As far as plugging both end of the return...I don't know...he did take a piece of the pipe off over at the filter (and just left it off )

So it seems finding the exact spot of the leak isn't that important? Just the pipe that it is in. Which, I suppose has been done. It seems abandoning the line is the only option since they were unable to find the spot of the leak. They drilled probably 5 or 6 holes around the concrete, which I guess did not help.

I think I will get quotes from somewhere else on just running a new line out and around the yard from the existing jet. It's a long way...about 100ft but going the other way would mean tearing up more concrete b/c the yard ends and the porch begins after about 30 ft.

So, is our best bet to try to get this fixed first and then deal with any further leaks afterwards? This is an older pool .... probably about 25 years old so other leaks could be possible (hoping not)

Thanks for your continued help....we are fairly new at taking care of and learning about pools so this problem has thrown us for a loop.