I have an inground pool with a Hayward Super Pump. In the last week or so, I've been noticing a strange noise - sort of a woosh every 5-10 seconds, and I noticed tiny air bubbles in the clear pipe that runs from the pump to the filter. I knew I had an air leak somewhere....but where?

I greased up the obvious place: the clear pump basket cover lid. I used silicone lube nice and heavy, smooshed it down...and still had air bubbles. I thought maybe the auto chlorinator was leaking air at the lid. But today, I found the problem. The little plastic drain nut that is at the bottom of the pump was leaking a drip or two when I shut off the pump. When I started to screw it by hand, it came apart.

So a trip to the pool store and $3.00 for ONE SINGLE drain nut (ouch!), and the problem was fixed.

Just wanted to pass this along to anyone else that might have a problem with air getting into the plumbing.