Problems with Sand Filter

[anixon7]

Hey all,

I am a newly indoctrinated pool owner, having recently bought a house with a pool. According to the previous owners, the pool and system are about 10 years old. The previous owners also took care of nothing properly, including the pool. So, I have spent quite a bit of time over the last 3 weeks trying to get the pool up and running.

Anyway, my specific question to get started: my sand filter (Hayward S200) is making gurgling noises and water is slowly leaking from the top of the cap. See photo here: http://flic.kr/p/9UAQ8s
Is the leak most likely caused by a failed O-ring? Can I easily replace this? Is that where I should start?

As for the gurgling noise, any clue what this means? I fear I have bigger problems, but I'll wait to until this first round of question gets answered.

Thanks for any/all help. Glad to be a part of this great forum.

[rj44319]

That is just a Leaky o-ring.
first try taking it out and applying a thin layer of vasalen around it.
if that don't work, you will have to replace it.

[Watermom]

Don't use vaseline. Use a silicone grease like Jack's lube or something similar.

[PoolDoc]

The gurgling noise means you have air in the tank. If the sound goes away overnight, it could be air from starting up the pump. But if it continues, it generally means a small suction side leak, letting air enter your piping.

Another way to check is to use the air relieve screw -- that's the part that's leaking -- by opening it a bit, letting the air bleed off, and then closing it. (Don't unscrew it too far; it will come out and shoot off somewhere, most likely in the leaves where you'll never find it. ;-)

By the way, your pics are below.

[anixon7]

Thanks for the quick responses. Anything special I need to do to remove the cap to get to the o-ring, other than shut off the system and unscrew it?

[Watermom]

Bumping this back up to see if someone can give an answer for anixon7.

[anixon7]

Thanks for the quick responses. Anything special I need to do to remove the cap to get to the o-ring, other than shut off the system and unscrew it?

Can anyone help me with how to replace an o-ring?