help with push/pull backwash valve needed

12 years ago

i have a pentair fns plus de filter. the whole pool was installed last summer. i can not get the valve to release to the backwash position. i called the pool company but they are 7-10 days out for a service call.
so here is what i have done, released the pressure by opening the air valve? on the top of the filter(where it tell you the pressure and when to clean) i should then be able to turn the handle to unlock and pull up but it feels stuck. i even unscrewed the collar on the assembly and tried to pull the whole thing up and out of the piping (per person that i talked to on the phone from the pool company) but it is vey stuck even with the collar completely off. i saw a utube video on changing out the whole valve and watched the guy do what i did and pull the whole valve out but mine is stuck in place.
any advice or suggestions?
my filter has not been backwashed all summer, is just now at the clean mark and is being closed on the 30th so 14 days. should i not bother with backwashing and just have the pool company clean the filter? i am afraid to try it myself as it is still under warranty and my pentair gas heater already had to be repaired. i don't want my warranty voided by diy ing the maintenance.
also the bozo on the phone (sales guy) said the filter should be cleaned twice a year. is that right? it runs may to end of sept and i was under the impression it was done at the end of the season

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Comments (5)

golfgeek
12 years ago
Dirt and debris accumulate around the O-rings that are on the valve stem. As you pull the valve up the O-rings get caught by the dirt and instead of sliding the O-ring is trying to roll and it gets very hard to lift. You should leave it to the pool company if possible, especially if it's under warranty.
Good luck.
WalterL
12 years ago
Did you ever get your push pull valve taken care of? I suggest trying to rotate the valve as you work it up. The O'rings are probably swollen from D.E. or chemicals or there is debris causing the rings to not slide easily. I recommend opening and cleaning the filter grids and not using the push pull assembly to back wash. The push pull be left untouched or repaired with new O'ring seals. Pentair P/N# 263054 for new push pull valve O'ring/seal kit. Yes depending on bather load filters should be cleaned once to twice a year.
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ardcp
Original Author
12 years ago
my pool company sent out a tech at no cost as it was in warranty. the tech was great and said they are having problems with these valves and had just had a meeting with the company about it. as of now there is no solution but they will come back to fiddle with it whenever needed. the tech thinks the seal is just a little too thick and gets stuck with pressure? or something to that effect. he thinks it needs a redo in the design.
thanks for your help btw!
WalterL
12 years ago
I have had same issue where the O'ring swells up and does not allow for movement. I have taken it apart and lubricated it but it eventually does the same thing. The aggressive chemistry of the pool water plays havoc on rubber seal components. I usually just take filter apart and clean it as backwashing sends dirty water into filter grid and does not really do as well of a cleaning as taking filters out and hosing them off. Good luck.
Damien99
12 years ago
Is this for real replace the push pull valve. Simple. I'm so sorry that you have to go through these! Warranty or not its a $70 valve.