Looking for ideas, air in system

[Yar02169]

Sprinkler use only, pump start relay recently installed, pressure switch and tank removed. Filter is for a silt problem. Last year the system ran at 35psi, now I'm getting 22-25psi (zone dependent I believe).
When the system is running, I can hear air spurts coming out of the heads. Tonight I cleaned the filter as half of it was silt. When running, the filter canister would be half full of air, purging would remove the air, but it comes back.
If there was a leak after the pump, I would have a spray/drip of water instead of it sucking air, correct? That would mean there's an leak on the intake side, that's my thought anyway. The intake hasn't changed in 2 years, so I don't know where to begin looking, that's why I ask you guys.
I don't think the well is out of water, it acts the same from initial start to end of cycle (5 zones, half hour for each zone). Pictures for you to pondering pleasure. Any other info will be provided.

 

[Reach4]

Your analysis is good.
Try searching for

in the search box above.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Banjo Bud]

I have a similar set up. I too hear air but it eventually quits after a few minutes. It’s just air in the lines from the pump to the heads from sitting a few days. The water slowly drains from the heads and the line is totally empty. Then the next time the pump starts, the air has to get driven out before the water flows freely. Kinda like when you drain house lines to do a repair. Then you turn a faucet on and it’s all air, then water and air, then finally just water. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Yar02169]

Thanks Reach4, that's a great idea. Now, when I find a leak, do I just slather the area with PVC cement, some other glue, or is it a cut and replace type of thing?

 

[Reach4]

Thanks Reach4, that's a great idea. Now, when I find a leak, do I just slather the area with PVC cement, some other glue, or is it a cut and replace type of thing?

Sucking primer followed by sucking a mix of dissolved PVC and cement may be good. "Heavy duty" pvc cement may be just that. I think I have read about that. Sucking quick-setting epoxy might be good. I am not sure how you get a steady vacuum going. Temporarily enlisting a vacuum pump sounds good. A way that keeps the pump pumping during the treatment could generate a vacuum for a period.

The reason I used the graphic rather than spelling it out was to avoid people searching for the term finding a bunch of recommendations for people to search for the term.

 

[Yar02169]

With shaving cream covering the leak, it went from 22psi to 44psi! It never ran that high, thank you so much!
Here's a pic of the leak(s), and if it works, a link to a video on repairing a joint leak.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...BMAt6BAgFEAU&usg=AOvVaw0VTJzWxrN8ZFOD4xbU2nov

 

[Reach4]

You could also look into Leak-B-Gone rings.