Fixing a Leaking Valve

Fixing a leaking valve

This is a guide on fixing a leaking two or three port valve written by www.WCPandS.com. A three port Intermatic valve and Super Pro o-ring kit was used in this example.  The steps shown here are the same as the commonly found Jandy valve or the Compool valve.

These valves leak when the o-rings fail or there is a crack in the cover. See the video below for an example of a leaking valve.

Getting started

Turn off the pumps and make sure the system cannot turned on automatically. The easiest way to do this is by turning off the power breakers.

Opening the valve and removing the assembly

Note: If your valve has an actuator on it (a motor that moves the valve automatically), the handle needs to be removed. Then, the actuator will need to be removed. All of the steps after that are the same for replacing the faulty o-rings.

The handle needs to be removed. Unscrew the knob at the top of the handle.

Some times this knob breaks off. If yours breaks and the screw is stuck inside, then a new diverter assembly with a knob kit will be needed to replace everything.

Now the handle can now be pulled off.

Note the position of the cover. It will need to be returned to this exact position.

Using a Phillips head screwdriver, unscrew and remove all screws.

The cover now needs to be removed. A thin end flat head screw driver can be used to help remove the cover. Start by loosening each side in small amounts until you can pull the cover off with your hand.

Replacing the o-rings

Pull the cover off of the diverter assembly, separating the two.

Note: If your cover is cracked (usually where the screws press down), the cover may need to be replaced. If you need a replacement, the maker of the valve is written on the handle. In the case that yours is missing a handle or has one but with no writing on it, simply take a picture of your cover and show it to your local pool store.

The smaller o-rings can either be stuck in the cover

Or on the diverter assembly.

Either way, remove these and there should be three pieces. Two are o-rings and one is a plastic ring.

A Super Pro 31-509-1008 o-ring kit was used in this example. It has two small o-rings for the diverter assembly and one large o-rings for the cover.

Using the new two small o-rings and the plastic ring from the original set (see enlarged pic below)

Place them on to the diverter assembly in the order of o-ring, plastic ring, and o-ring.

Remove the old o-ring from the cover. It could still be in the valve body if you cannot find it on the cover. Place the new o-ring over the cover.

Reassembling the valve

Push the top of the assembly through the bottom of the cover.

It needs to be pushed completely on, as shown in the picture.

The entire assembly and cover need to be pushed back into the valve body.

Note the direction of the cover here. It needs to be returned to its original position and all of the screw holes must line up. The cover can be turned to return it to the correct position.

Once it is set, push the cover all the way in so that it sits flush with the valve body.

The screws need to be put in and tightened by inserting one, then inserting the screw on the opposite side next. This ensures that the cover sits as flat as possible.

Note: Do not over tighten these since it could crack the cover. They should only be snug.

Reattach the handle and then screw back on the knob.

Zodiac Baracuda G3 repairs

Zodiac Baracuda G3 repairs

This is a quick write up on replacing a Zodiac Baracuda G3 automatic pool cleaner “Finned Disc” (The large blue mat, part number W70329 ) and Diaphragm Cassette (Part number W69698 ) written by www.WCPandS.com. Using this guide means that you have already troubleshooted and pinpointed the problem of your G3 cleaner to be either a bad disc or a bad diaphragm.

Starting:

Begin by turning off the main pump to ensure that the pump cannot turn on while the cleaner is out of the water either by turning of the breaker at the equipment or placing the system into “Service” mode.

Remove the G3 cleaner from the pool and place it on the deck. Remove the hose from the cleaner.

Replacing the Finned disc (replacing the G3 blue mat):

If the disc has torn or become soft, it should be replaced since the G3 can pull the damaged disc into the diaphragm and stop the cleaner from moving.

Begin by removing the old disc by pulling it off, starting with one side and then going around to pull off the entire disc.

The trick to replacing the disc is not to tear the new disc.

Note: The warmer the disc the easier it will stretch. If you are having trouble stretching the disc you can soak it in warm water for a few minutes then try to attach the disc.

The new disc needs to be pulled on; start with the flat side and get it entirely on.

Pull the two sides on.

For the last section, you can use a flat head screwdriver to pry the remaining section on.

Notice that the disc should sit in between the small gap in the footpad. You should be able to rotate the disc 360 degrees if it is installed correctly.

Replacing the Diaphragm Cassette:

Usually, the cleaner will stop moving once the diaphragm has a tare. To check the diaphragm or replace it, the cleaner will need to be opened.

Remove the entire center assembly (called the Compete Cassette Assembly) by unscrewing the yellow nut from the main body.

The center assembly will pull straight out once the nut is released.

Unscrew the top half of the center assembly from the bottom half.

With the bottom half section, push the “Threaded Inner Extension Pipe” down and out of the bottom section.

At this step, you can view the diaphragm for damage. Look for any tares in the rubber and if any are found, replace the diaphragm.

If you are replacing the diaphragm, continue reading.

Pull the diaphragm off of the Threaded Inner Extension Pipe.

Remove the “Retaining Ring” form the diaphragm. You can bend the diaphragm to remove this ring.

Using the new diaphragm, you will repeat the above in reverse order (follow the pictures above backwards) to reassemble the G3 cleaner.

1) Attach the Retaining ring.

2) Attach the diaphragm to the Threaded Inner Extension Pipe.

3) Push the Threaded Inner Extension Pipe in through the bottom end of the bottom half assembly.

4) Screw the top half to the bottom half assembly.

5) Screw the yellow nut on the complete assembly back into the main body of the cleaner.

6) Reattach the cleaner hose, place the cleaner back into the pool, and turn the pump back on.