Haywood Pool Filter Handle very hard to move and backwash port leaking. Is it junk?

[Don2222]

Hello
This Haywood S166T pool sand filter is about 22 years old. Turning the handle is very hard like it is about to seize up! Also water started leaking out of the backwash port.
After a little research I found there are 2 OEM fixes.
1. Replace the multi port valve & handle assembly $149.95
Haywood SP0714T VarioFlow Top mount Multiport valve, Black $142.99
Amazon product ASIN B00269II662. Replace the diverter only $48.75
Hayward pool filter key seal diverter assembly sp714t replacement
Amazon product ASIN B002NJO42QThen there is an aftermarket rebuild kit which is much harder to install but the savings just may be worth it for $19.99
Note: I found that the large O ring in this kit was much thinner in diameter than the original so I just greased the original and re-used it.
Amazon product ASIN B0C1SRTBSDBut I made sure I got the kit with the non metalic washer luckily because when I took the handle off I found the original was broken in 3 pieces! LOL What a basket case!
So here are the steps for the rebuild kit and to do one of the first 2 methods it would be the same steps but much less!
1. Disconnect the pool filter hoses from filter and hang ends in pool to keep water from draining from pool. Remove pool filter drain cap and drain water. Remove 6 Phillip head screws in top of valve port. See pic 1
2. Wiggle handle and pry top off with a flat head screw driver. See pic 2
Old white spider gasket is worn and twisted.
3. Remove old spider gasket with pocket knife. See pic 3 & 4
4. Using a block of wood and 2 - 4” galvanized Phillip head deck screws, tighten them down a bit to compress the spring for the handle removal. See pic 5
5. Using a nail set or I used a torx screw driver that was flat on the end, knock out pin in the handle by banging it with a hammer, Notice one end of the pin has a detent so bang on the opposite end and the pin will slide right out. See pic 6
6. Remove the handle and the non metalic washer under the handle. Ours was broken into 3 pieces! See pic 7
7. Now bang the top portion of the valve body off the diverter. I used a socket extension and a hammer. See pics 8,9&10
This was very hard in my case so take your time and bang alternative sides to push it off evenly.
8. Remove the 2 rubber seals and one spacer clip off the diverter shaft. See pic 11
9. Pull springs and metal washers off diverter shaft and Clean diverter shaft and hole in the top with medium grade Emory cloth. See pic 12
10. Clean spring and metal washers with wire wheel brush on a drill driver and Lubricate top and bottom of spring and both sides of washers and rubber seals and spacer and diverter shaft with special pool and spa grease from pool or marine supply store. Also replace and or just lube large rubber ring seal. See pics 13,14&15
11. Assemble washers and spring on diverter shaft, then slide diverter shaft back into top piece. Put whole assembly back on the wood and compress down with 2 deck screws enough to bang pin back into the handle, then replace and or just lube non metalic washer and place under handle. Now install handle and bang pin back into handle.
12. Insert new black spider gasket and grease exposed top. The original gasket had no glue to hold it in. You can add high temp silicone clear calking if you wish but give it time to set up before installing back into filter. See pic 16
13. Using six Phillip head screws, re-install valve assembly back into the top of the filter!
14. Reconnect pool filter hoses to pool filter. Easy Peasy See pic 17
Also as a recap, here is a good video on lubricating the multi port handle assembly.

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[Don2222]

One good suggestion I got from my pool man, was to through a plastic ball valve on the backwash port and turn off the leak until the weekend when I had time to fix it.
So I picked this valve up at the local pool supply store for $39.95
If I had more time one may be found for less on the internet.
Using Blue Monster Teflon tape from Home Depot it was an easy install.
(broken link removed)

 

[Don2222]

Hello
One other suggestion I have, is that it maybe a good idea to replace the diverter spring during this process. That is due to the fact if the spring is very old then it will not expand as it should and there could be still a small leak in the backwash port.

https://lesliespool.com/spx0603s---hayward---spring/44793.html?src=WKND2342&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=%7B19640458999%7D&utm_content=%7B%7D_%7B%7D&utm_term=%7B%7D&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwvilBhCFARIsADvYi7JGiCZvBVwz6vQGMLKI4jYa8WCsUj7mQRuONVhMCmux1eEm0OZj-jEaAuqqEALw_wcB

 

[EbS-P]

I think you just sold me on a whole new valve of the last one got 22 years of service!

 

[Don2222]

I think you just sold me on a whole new valve of the last one got 22 years of service!

Yes, the time saved in fixing it is worth some money! 💰 💴 💵

 

[Ashful]

Given how long the original lasted you, I guess you don't need any advice. But my installer's superstition had him telling me you should always turn the handle the same direction, to make the o-ring last longer. So, now he has me doing it, this valve only ever gets turned clockwise.

I like the ball valve on the backwash port hack. Not sure if I'd ever notice mine leaking, I have it hard-plumbed to a buried drain line.

 

[mellow]

I think I just took a couple years of life off my sand filter handle this past week, got a seriously bad algae bloom in the pool with all the rain and hot sun. I had to backwash the filter so many times I lost count and then with all the vacuuming I am ready to get rid of the stinkin pool! I use a firemans hose for my backwash so it is easy to roll up when the grass is cut.

 

[Don2222]

I think I just took a couple years of life off my sand filter handle this past week, got a seriously bad algae bloom in the pool with all the rain and hot sun. I had to backwash the filter so many times I lost count and then with all the vacuuming I am ready to get rid of the stinkin pool! I use a firemans hose for my backwash so it is easy to roll up when the grass is cut.

Just take out the handle and valve assembly and give it some pool & spa grease. That puts years of life back on it. I wish I had known to do that!

 

[Don2222]

Given how long the original lasted you, I guess you don't need any advice. But my installer's superstition had him telling me you should always turn the handle the same direction, to make the o-ring last longer. So, now he has me doing it, this valve only ever gets turned clockwise.

I like the ball valve on the backwash port hack. Not sure if I'd ever notice mine leaking, I have it hard-plumbed to a buried drain line.

Turning the valve one way may make a little difference but removing it and putting pool & spa grease on it makes a huge difference.

 

[zrock]

u sure that filter is 22 years old? Looks identical to the setup i had 5 years ago you even have a similar pool to what i had.. Things look pretty clean for 22 year..

 

[Don2222]

u sure that filter is 22 years old? Looks identical to the setup i had 5 years ago you even have a similar pool to what i had.. Things look pretty clean for 22 year..

Oh yes but it does not have the original liner!

 

[Ashful]

I think I just took a couple years of life off my sand filter handle this past week, got a seriously bad algae bloom in the pool with all the rain and hot sun. I had to backwash the filter so many times I lost count and then with all the vacuuming I am ready to get rid of the stinkin pool! I use a firemans hose for my backwash so it is easy to roll up when the grass is cut.

I have a mason here the last two weeks, cutting pavers next to the pool, and making all kinds of dust and debris. I've been vacuuming essentially every night, and back-washing each weekend. Manual vac on waste setting, before I'm even willing to put the robot in the water, it's been so sandy. Fun stuff.

 

[Don2222]

Hello
One final important observation!
If it still leaks out a little from the backwash port, it is not usually the nice strong spring around the diverter.
In this case, the filter was still leaking a small bit out the backwash port. So I pulled out the multi-port valve and after greasing it, it popped right out easily! In the bottom of the filter where the spider gasket rests, there was some residue of the old white gasket! Therefore, I cleaned it all off with a scrounge pad sponge and wiped it clean with a paper towel, applied the pool and spa grease. Then reassembled with the 6 screws.
Bingo, it does not leak a drop!

I also learned a lot about how this filter valve works and how important the Pool & Spa grease really is!

 

[Ashful]

I cleaned it all off with a scrounge pad sponge and wiped it clean with a paper towel, applied the pool and spa grease. Then reassembled with the 6 screws.
Bingo, it does not leak a drop!

Hopefully the pad didn't leave any small scratches in the plastic. You may find they cause a slow leak, after the grease that may be filling the scratches now, begins to dissipate a bit.

If so, I'd guess you can get it smoothed back out with polishing compound, but something to watch.

 

[Don2222]

Hopefully the pad didn't leave any small scratches in the plastic. You may find they cause a slow leak, after the grease that may be filling the scratches now, begins to dissipate a bit.

If so, I'd guess you can get it smoothed back out with polishing compound, but something to watch.

Yes, this pad was so worn out it just barely got the old sticky gasket off. Yes I am not much of a car washing buff but I know what you mean by a nice one step compound with polish made for marine and fiberglass would be a good thing to use either way like this below?

 

[Ashful]

Probably worth a try, if the leak comes back. Otherwise, I’d just leave well enough alone!

 

[Don2222]

Bonus Step!
The leaf trap cover in the pool filter pump can be very hard to remove. The first step is to turn the power off to the pump but if it is still hard, then use a hammer and flat head screw driver to tap it to the left to get it started.
Then remove the large round ring seal and again, using the pool & spa grease, grease the ring and reinstall it! Now do not over tighten the clear plastic top! Just turn it enough so it does not leak and bingo, easy to get off and clean out the leafs and bugs! 🐜 🐛 🐞
Pool and Spa Lube
Amazon product ASIN B089SBB145

 

[Ashful]

My installer poured a nice big concrete pad for the pump, filter, heater, and sanitizer, but didn't anchor any of the equipment down. I definitely want to bolt the pump down, specifically for the issue of removing that basket cover lid. Debating between just drilling in place and driving some Tapcons, versus marking, moving the pump, and drilling for real expanding anchors.