multivalve hard to turn

[vinouspleasure]

Hi,

We had a guy out to open the pool this year that said our multivalve was going to need to be replaced. It has gotten difficult to turn and is making a funny noise like plastic on rubber when I turn it.

I no longer trust our pool company...they seem to have lost all their good people. Is he correct that it will soon need to be replaced? Is there any maintenance I can perform?

thanks,
vp

[CarlD]

Hi,

We had a guy out to open the pool this year that said our multivalve was going to need to be replaced. It has gotten difficult to turn and is making a funny noise like plastic on rubber when I turn it.

I no longer trust our pool company...they seem to have lost all their good people. Is he correct that it will soon need to be replaced? Is there any maintenance I can perform?


thanks,
vp

Depending on the brand, it may be as simple as lubing the inner works gasket, called a "spider" because it looks like a spider's web. I had a similar problem a few years ago, split the unit, lubed the spider and VOILA!, just like new. It's the same lube you use on the o-rings for your connectors (if you use them). Every pool store sells it--silicone lube.

The next level is to replace the spider--it is, after all, a rubber gasket like a big O-ring with spokes. Again, you lube it.

I find it hard to believe that any multivalve manufacturer does not make it serviceable. Who would buy it more than once when you can get a Hayward or something else which is rebuildable until the structure cracks!

[waste]

Vp, Carl's got it right (go figure ) If you take it apart and have any questions, we'll talk you through what needs to be done. 90+ % of the time it's the 'spider' gasket a/k/a 'wagon wheel' that is the problem. Pop it open and tell us what you find and we'll help you get it working properly again

[aylad]

I know that sound....mine has made it in the past, too, and it ended up being the gasket. Somehow it got hung when the valve was turned and got twisted out of the place where it's seated. My spring was also rusted and needed to be replaced.

Janet

[aylad]

Ah, Waste, you type faster than me!!

J

[CarlD]

Vp, Carl's got it right (go figure )

Hey! Even a broken clock is right at least twice a day!

[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

[waste]

Ah, Waste, you type faster than me!!

J

Jan, you must only have 1 finger, 'cause I only use 2

Ted

[aylad]

Jan, you must only have 1 finger, 'cause I only use 2

Ted

.......................

[Poconos]

It's conceivable that something in the shaft is binding too and making it difficult to turn. Just means further disassembly, cleaning, and lubing with that same grease. There's usually an O-ring or two on the shaft that may need replacing too.
Al