Leaks at bottom of cartridge filter

[RVPWT]

Help.... I bought a home with an inground pool . House was built in 1970's and suppose that pool was same time. Here is my problem. My cartridge filter leaks out of the bottom. It was a fairly slow leak until I replaced the o-ring on the lid. Now it REALLY pours water out of the bottom. I have also replaced the air release valve and pressure valve and found the pressure valve not tight, tightened that and it got better, but still have water leaking from bottom.
From finding forums like this and reading online I believe that I most likely have air leaking into my filter somehow. I just really need suggestions of what to check next.

[muss08]

What kind of cartridge filter is it and where exactly is the leak? There is usually a drain plug at the bottom- is it leaking from there or somewhere else?

[rvpwt]

It is a Pentair Clean and Clear 200 (Predator) and water pours out from the base, not the drain plug. I have lubed the drain plug gasket with silicone.

[muss08]

Can you locate the leak at the base or is it coming from the under the filter? Could the leak be from the intake or outake piping? If the leak is coming from the filter canister itself and not from the drain plugm plumbing, or where the top and bottom join together it will be necessary to replace the filter. Air getting into the filter will not create a leak but will allow a leak to leak quicker.

[Guest]

You are 100% correct. The filter housing was cracked on the bottom. Replaced the filter and looked at the old one, someone had put something like JB weld on it.

Running like a gem now. Thanks for your help.