need to replace return eye

[rnjng]

I was trying to tighten the return cause it was leaking maybe 3 drips/ minute. and I noticed that the threads were looking brittle, so I was being careful. I turned a bit then looked and still drip. Well I did thiss till it cracked. Looks like its three parts the housing?(i think the eye threads into it) eye, and the snout the return line connects to. do i need to drain the water past the return to replace the return? or can it be done somehow w/o draining.

[waste]

There are a couple things you can try to get the 'seat' out of the return inlet.
#1 - try to lock onto the notches on the inside of the seat with a pair of open needle-nose pliers

#2 - procure a SP 1419-T seat removal tool, which is made to lock into the selfsame notches. There is also a thread here where Al tells folks how to make their own removal tool, give me a minute to look it up... this one

#3 involves a hacksaw and I will only give you the method if 1 & 2 don't work - you stand a chance of wrecking the return inlet if not done with extreme care and knowledge of what you are doing (as such, I don't want people who lack POPP to go to it first and then blame me for the semi major repair that they'll need if the inlet gets ruined ) - this is one case where I'll keep this off the board, if you need the info I'll pm it to you (please note that I'll be out of town this weekend, so don't get impatient if you don't hear from me til Tues.)

I hope you can get it out without resorting to a hacksaw

[NEPApoolguy]

rnjng.......sounds like the return fitting your talking about is on an aboveground pool.....not an inground. Since one of the parts is cracked......all you need to do is go to you local pool store and purchase a complete return fitting. They are not expensive.....so you may as well buy the complete return.....not just the part that is cracked. Lower the water in the pool to make it easier to install. You may need some clear silicone and teflon tape to complete the install......hope this helps.

[rnjng]

Thanks for the replys!!!! Any kind of clear silicon? I have the pool drained just under return. So I'm ready to replace it. The old setup has silicon on the inside and out. A full bead and I was questioning if i needed it this time. The guy at the pool store said no, i wouldn't need silicon. But i'm feeling i need it. not alot, jut enough to make a seal on both sides. I bought the whole setup. it came with 3 gaskets. 2 white rubber gaskets and 1 cork??? I was told the cork went on the outside, and 1 rubber gasket went between liner and pool wall, and the last went between liner and the return. Hopeflly I get it right.

[NEPApoolguy]

The guy at the pool store is correct with the placement of the gaskets. The only place you need teflon and silicone is on the fitting where it screws into the threads of the return assembly. Do not put any silicone on the gaskets as it will make them squeeze out of place when you tighten the jam nut on the return against the wall. Do not put any silicone on the threads of the jam nut itself either. Hope this helps.

[rnjng]

Pool is up and running as of last night, no leaks. Tks for all the help!!!!

[waste]

NEPA, nice to see you posting! Thanks for catching the obvious point that it was an A/G pool - if the drips could be seen rnjng either has an A/G or X-Ray vision

Rnjng - glad someone here figured out the real problem and was able to help! (though if you ever get an IG pool and have a 'sticky' eyeball seat - the advice I gave holds