Can't get pump lid open

[Jacob99]

I'm trying to open up my pump lid to clean out the filter. I thought I read somewhere a way to release pressure but can't find it. I had my father in law try too and he's twice my size. Thing is stuck! How often do these things need to be cleaned out? I've only had pool for 2 weeks and it looks pretty dirty in there already. Also, there's some goop I need to put around it every time I open and close it? I know there's a thread that explains this somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

[kelemvor]

It sounds like someone over tightened it and/or used a gasket that was worn out. I did that once on mine, fortunately the lid had instructions printed on top on how to open it. Get a piece of wood (such as a 2x4) and put one on either side of the "handle" on top of the lid. Use the piece of wood to turn the lid. Next time you replace it, don't tighten it as much. Your lid might not be designed the same as mine in order to accommodate the 2x4.

Other things that should help (based on this thread: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?10470-Pump-basket-lid-stuck ) would be to try and loosen it slightly while the pump is on, open the pressure relief on your sand filter, or pour some hot water on it. Although hot water tends to make things expand so I wonder how well this would work

It might be time to replace the gasket there as well. When that gasket and the filter gasket get worn the lids get hard to remove (especially if you lube 'em up after they are worn out). I learned this the hard way.

[Jacob99]

Thanks. Yea, I'm the one who overtightened it because it was leaking so I figured it wasn't tight enough. It shouldn't be worn because it's brand new, but maybe I damaged the gasket by tightening it so hard. The 2x4 probably won't work as the handle is made to grip underneath with your fingers.

Loosen it slightly while pump is running goes against everything I've previously heard, but may be my only option. I'll be sure to keep my face clear of it's path in case I loosen it more than slightly by mistake.

[AnnaK]

Do you have ball valves on the plumbing between the pool and the pump? I do, and I turn them to the OFF position before opening the pot lid. That seems to relieve the vacuum pressure inside the pot -- the pump is OFF, of course, when I do that. You could also try sticking a pipe wrench through the handle and using it as a lever while pushing downward slightly so you don't dislodge the entire pump pot.

[usmarinemike]

I'm no expert, but if you DON'T have a valve between the pool and the pump pot, and your pump is below the water line, it might not be such a hot idea to take the lid off. There's a lot of water pressing against that lid which might be why it's so tough to get off, and why it will be even harder to get on over your new geyser water feature.

[AnnaK]

Yep, Mike, totally correct, but I can't even begin to tell you how many creative plumbing setups I've seen in photos with quite a few not having a way to shut off the water to/from an AGP.

[Jacob99]

I ended up getting it open finally! I guess I was just stronger yesterday. I ended up stuffing a shammy down the skimmer hose to stop the water. It worked. I also found why it was so difficult to take off.... gasket was out of place.

[AnnaK]

What happened to the other posts in this thread? Have they been moved elsewhere?

[Watermom]

No, nothing moved. He actually posted pretty much the same thing in a different thread as well and that was probably the one you read. It is here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?15551-Cleaning-pump-basket)

[AnnaK]

Thanks, Watermom. I hate duplicate threads!

[Jacob99]

Yea, sorry about that. I ended up opening the other one because I finally got the lid open and wanted to know how to stop the flow of water. I was trying to do it as I was posting the other thread so thought I would get a quicker response that way. I'll refrain from that in the future...