Multi-Valve Problem

[farquhar]

I'm a newbie when it comes to my pool. I have a question about my multi-valve. I was backwashing last night and I noticed that I had backwash flowing through 1 of my 2 returns. It also flows back in when I set the pump to waste. This problem just started that I know of. Do I need to replace my multi or can I replace a gasket to fix this problem? I have a 25000 gallon inground plaster pool, with a Aries S-244T sand filter with a Haywood SP71 Multi-valve and a Pacfab Challenger high flow pump.

[tonyl]

You need a new spider gasket. Remove the top from your multi-valve (6 bolts) and it's down inside a track...some people call them wagon wheel gaskets. Will cost you around $7-8 bucks at your local pool store.

[Poconos]

Farquhar,
Welcome to the forum.
The numbers are Hayward. Same combo I have. S-244T sand filter with a series SP-711 variflow valve. As tonyl said the gasket is shot. Not unusual for the thing to lift off and get destroyed. Simple replacement. You will see widely varying ideas of how to replace it. Hayward recommends gluing it in place with crazy glue. (haywardnet.com). Think that's what I saw when I last looked a couple years ago. I'm trying silicone seal. Others on this forum say not to glue. Anyhow, that's your decision. After a time the initial gluing at the factory can fail and let the thing detach. Actually it is a simple replacement. Worst thing you can do is switch positions with the pump running or any flow through the valve. I learned the hard way.
Al

[farquhar]

Thanks for the help. Now that the weekend is here, shot down to the pool supply store and spent my $8.00 for a new gasket. It was very simple to replace and everything is working great. Thanks for the help.

[dm3216]

farquhar or anyone else...

I'm about to replace the same type of spider gasket on my Hayward SP-711 valve. The old one is pretty much in place (won't move) and because it's worned out it caused a good leak last night (after changing about 25% of water in my 16K IG pool). I'm planning on following haywardnet.com advice on using crazy glue. Is this the best way to install the new gasket?

Any help is greatly appreciated...

[Poconos]

DM,
Maybe this should be a separate thread but since that's a borderline call and this thread isn't long I guess it's OK to leave it here.
I'll probably open another can of worms like the great DE Filter debates, but I don't like the crazy glue idea. Tried it and worked for a bit. There are others on this forum that say don't glue it at all but I can't see how it would stay in place except under a very limited set of conditions, like absolutely no water flow when changing positions.
Lost my records but I think it was early last year when I reglued mine. Cleaned out the channels with a small flat screwdriver and sandpaper, then used silicone seal to hold it in place. Had to make something to prevent squished silicone seal from sticking to the top part of the valve that bears on the gasket. Cut a circular piece of plastic sheeting with a hole in the middle for the center part of the gasket so the sheeting lays flat on the gasket. Coated one side of the sheeting with wax as a mold release. Silicone doesn't stick to wax. Filled the channels with silicone seal, set the gasket in place, put on the sheet, then reassembled the valve. The top part under spring force squished the gasket in place. After curing for a day, took off the top part, removed the plastic sheet, then using a blade, cut any excess silicone seal that squished out.
Just took it apart the other day to peek and seems to be holding in place very well.
Time will tell.
Al
(ajs-1)