Replacing Vari-Flo Control Valve

[jduies]

My Hayward Vari-Flo control valve has a hairline crack on the return fitting that is just barely starting to leak. Is it possible to replace the valve without removing the 300 lbs of sand, that I put in about a day before I noticed the crack and leak? I fear that I know the answer to this already...

Thanks...

 

[Bama Rambler]

You should be able to change it without a problem. Even if it's a side mount valve the sand won't come out the plumbing.

 

[jduies]

Forgot to mention that it is a side mount. Should I at least drain the water out of the filter? It looks to me like the replacement valve comes with the plumbing that connects directly into the side of the filter?

 

[jblizzle]

The water is going to come out one way or the other. If you have a drain that would probably be cleaner than removing the valve fitting and having all the water come out that way.

I imagine that your valve just attaches to the filter with union fittings at the side of the filter.

 

[Bama Rambler]

I would drain the filter. The new valve will hook to the bulkhead fittings on the filter.