"I wouldn't have either. IF it is torqued to spec. I wouldn't touch it again unless absolutle necessary." yeah, trust me i won't - hopefully it is in there good and will withstand the vibration of the engine. "Looks like the hole that originally was leaking?" yes, the leak was right above this screw... i'm starting to think the guy probably stripped the screw and put some thread lock or something similar on it and just screwed it back in there. after i realized it was stripped i pulled it out and it had what looked like some really lightweight aluminum or aluminum-like substance wrapped in the grooves of the bolt. this of course could be aluminum but seemed to be a little too brittle for engine aluminum. again, this is just a guess. "Now do me a favor and email me what camera you used for the pictures and how you got them from the camera into your post. I think you have my email address." sure thing! i'd be glad to Walt. the camera is a Fuji e510 5 megapixel digital camera that i've been happy with... they should be quite affordable now as i got it for $150 or so after rebate almost a year ago. i'll get that email to you in a bit.

Jennifer and Tresw, Thanks a lot for your advice. In fact, we swam today in the pool, yeaaaahhhH! Well, not really swimming, because the water was cold, about 60F and because I let the garden hose running in fresh water for an hour to lift up the level, but as a side effect it got even colder... But the clarity is now great. It is amazing comparing to a week ago, when was a swamp... What a miracle. I got the 4 way test kit, as suggested by TRESW and the readings were not that bad. Chlorine was really really low 0.4-0.6, but Ph was just right 7.6 and TA was 80 ppm (could have been 70 ppm, but with the background coloring I could not really say). The leaks are really big issue though. I broke the cement around the skimmer and now I can see the top plastic of the feeding tunnel (about 3-4 inches deep down), and it has about 0.5 inches water. What is even more worrisome is that the water is about 2" above the pool level, which means that the walls are all filled up with water all the way to the concrete deck and it is overflowing from any crack the water can get through. Also, the lines around the concrete deck are wet, as I dug about an inch deep around and now water started amassing around. And this is on the other side of the pool... I am having a serious leakage, that is for sure. I will rent these days a power hammer from Home depot and I intend to break to pieces the deck. The problem is I have not decided what to do with the debris yet. Any suggestions? As for the dead animal, I am no longer worried. I cleaned, and shocked, and cleaned, and shocked and now I believe there is nothing left from it... I hope. I certainly will avoid any contact of the water with my mouth for the next month or so, but overall I think I am over this now :) Thanks for all support and advice. If something else comes out, please shoot. I am ready to make some pics and post them online for discussion. Best, Lubo

ukgreg66, Leaks that cause the water to bleed out of the filter tank when it is off will be on the suction side of the pump. 1. Check to make sure water level in pool is at the correct level. 2. Check the threaded connections on the pump. If they are male adapters that is a good possibility. If you need to replace these use sch 80 nipples. 3. Check the skimmer bottom. Some of the older skimmers were two piece. These usually have a black bottom with a white body skimmer. Kits are available for this repair. 4. Check to see if water is leaking along the motor shaft. Water will be dripping somewhere along the bottom of the motor/pump assembly. These are most common areas that cause suction leakage. Good luck.

dannyn, DO NOT drain the pool! Excess water leaking under the pool can cause more damage if the pool is empty. Such a large leak is usually easy to find. Step one is to do a visual check of leaks at the equipment. Step two will be to shut off all equipment and let the water seek the level of the leak. It could be a return line if it stops at the bottom of the return fitting. Could be the light if it stops at the bottom of the light. If it drops below all fittings and light, then it is probably the main drain line. Would suggest a technician dive to bottom and plug main drain, then refill pool and repeat procedure. Good luck.