Leaking Connection

[CallMeIshmael]

HI CoffeeBean (sounds good about now:-)
Came across your post & thought this might be helpful to understand the unions they're talking about...
Below is a photo of CarlD's pump/filter assembly in a current thread. The unions are the widened pipe connections (both white & dark grey in this pic) that allow for unscrewing & rescrewing as needed. (As mentioned, you'll need a wide-jaw ChannelLock-style set of pliers capable or opening to ~4" diameter) Inside you'll find the o-ring that seals the joint. If you don't have unions like these, you should have them added! They are invaluable for issues like this, where you'd like to isolate a problem in one of the parts. Anyone familiar with PVC can add these easily by draining & cutting the pipes as needed, and adhering them into the lines.


I just completed a similar upgrade of a fixed-pipe (no unions) connection from pump to filter to return valve, and it was quite simple- Adding 4 unions took all of 20 minutes & $15 of parts. In the process, I repaired 2 leaking connections in the old installation by replacing & resealing the threaded connectors. Guess what was at the leaks--- plenty of patchwork sealant just like you described!

From

It's not the tube loose against the inlet, it's coming from the connection between the inlet and the pump body. There appears to be a weld or hardened caulk or something there. Does anyone know which it is?

it sounds like the leak might be within the pump itself? If so, it could be anything from a worn gasket to a cracked pump housing.... the pump should get tended to by a pool repair co. The weld or caulk is likely the last person's attempt at a now-failed quick fix, just like in my case, and a perfect example of why a better method is needed this time around.
Hope this visual helps.