Hard to Open Hayward Northstar Strainer Cover

[joelq]

Hi all - our pool is only 10 months old and the strainer cover for our Northstar pump has always been tough to remove, to the point where I have to hit it with a hammer lightly to get it to turn.

I have never lubricated the gasket as the Owner's Guide mentions. Will this solve my problem? Or is the cover normally hard to open?

[Sumo1]

Lubing the O-ring will help a bit and will extend the life of the O-ring and will provide a better seal. Most strainer cover tops have raised channels that allow you to use a piece of wood to gain leverage by using the wood to open the top. I keep a short piece of 2x4 in the pump house for this, lube the O-ring, and it's still difficult to open. I'm fine with it but am not sure my wife could do it. She would probably try, then give up and leave it for me.
Hal

[mas985]

If lubing it doesn't work, I sometime losen mine while the pump is running. The suction helps a bit to get it started.

[Davenj]

My Northstar was hard to open the first season, always had lube on the o-ring. This year its a little to easy, going to replace the gasket. With the lube check for grit or junk stuck to the o-ring and mating surface.

[joelq]

If lubing it doesn't work, I sometime losen mine while the pump is running. The suction helps a bit to get it started.

Hi Mark - I tried your technique this past weekend and IT WORKED! It was so much easier to turn that cover with the pump running. Thanks for the suggestion!