multivalve hard to turn

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Originally Posted by Sumo1

A lot of times when the gets twisted it's because we operators get lax in making sure the back of the multiport handle is pushed ALL the way down before turning it. If it's not all the way down, the mechanism is still pressing on the gasket as you turn it, which pulls the gasket loose or twists it. The gasket needs to be secured in its place with a sealant, not a lube. I use Permatex blue RTV gasket maker from an auto parts store, with excellent results. I think the Permatex number at the bottom of the tube is 6. I'll check it when I'm at the pool later and then confirm. Also, when you service the gasket, it is 'this side up ' specific so be sure to put the same side down as when you found it.

Hal

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The part number on the Permatex I referenced is 6B. There is another blue RTV from Permatex with a number like 22 but it is a lot less tacky(more suave, perhaps?).
Hal

We ran into this problem with our Hayward Multivalve. At first we took off all the screws and replaced tangled old 5-spoke gasket with a new one, but it didn't really make it much easier.

It appeared that the old valve wasn't allowing the mechanism inside to clear the gasket properly when the handle was compressed so we replaced the Valve Key, Cover and Handle Assembly part, (not the whole assembly) p/n SPX0710XBA17, and it was really easy to turn afterwards.

Just a note: We ran into a different problem afterwards. Each time we'd turn the handle to backwash and then return it to filter afterwards some water would continue to pump out the backwash hose. (First time this happened I had no idea until I saw the water level of the pool surprisingly low.)

We'd open the valve and check the gasket each time. Sometimes it looked fine, other times it needed to be reseated.

I found out by dealing with the Hayward tech support department that the gasket is supposed to be glue in on it's flat side to the bottom of the valve housing with a special adhesive. (3M Scotch-Grip Industrial Adhesive 4799)

I ordered it from the 3M store, since I couldn't find it locally, and it's been good since then.)

Good Luck -
Vickie