We have 3 of these filters on our 100k gal pool. They have a screw on cap (about 10 in diameter) with a pressure gauge on top of the cap. I've been fighting a losing battle with one of the caps and I'm looking for any tricks to get it off. I've broken one of the plastic wrenches that fits over the fins on the cap. I've tried getting more leverage with a length of pipe on the wrench handle. I've tapped on the cap with a rubber mallet, scraped around the rim, applied various lubricants. It's stuck and I'm stuck. Any ideas? Thanks. --Fred
stuck cap on Triton II TR-140 sand filter
- Thread starter FredW
- Start date
Get a replacement cap, o-ring and pressure gauge 1st. Then cut the old one off. If it's stuck, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway.
Scott
Scott
Have you relieved all the pressure/vacuum?FredW said:
Otherwise, yeah, get new ones. Be exceedingly careful when cutting near any threads, you don't want to bugger them up.
I have that same filter and those caps are a real pain. I put Vaseline on mine each time I remove it (seldom) and that probably is the only reason I haven't had to cut it out.
Thanks for the replies. Gave it one more try with no pressure or vacuum and, what the heck, even tried the hair dryer. No luck. Will order the new closure and get the sawsall and vaseline together for the repair job.
Hi, Fred,
One word of caution....PoolguyNJ suggested that vaseline can be corrosive to some o-rings and I believe he is right. My o-ring is apparently impervious to it but it's 8 years old now and they may have changed.
There is a product called "pool lube" (I think that's the name) that will likely be a safer choice.
One word of caution....PoolguyNJ suggested that vaseline can be corrosive to some o-rings and I believe he is right. My o-ring is apparently impervious to it but it's 8 years old now and they may have changed.
There is a product called "pool lube" (I think that's the name) that will likely be a safer choice.
duraleigh said:
There are may lubes out there for o-rings. A common brand is Magic Lube from Aladdin. These lubes are telfon based making them friendlier to the o-ring material.
I'm resurrecting this thread because I'm facing this very issue with my Triton II's closure cap. I'm going to have to use a saw of some sort to remove it. Any recommendations on the type of tool(s) I should use are appreciated. A sawsall was mentioned as a possible tool but I'm thinking this might be more effective: Rockwell RK3441K Compact Circular Saw Kit - Power Circular Saws - Amazon.com
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Try drilling a hole through both sides of the dome and then stick a metal rod through the dome and unscrew the dome with the metal rod.
I have that same filter and I can attest it is a booger bear to remove. I got it loose by using the plastic tool and tapping the ends over and over with a rubber mallet but I thought I was going to break it.
I can't quite picture JamesW's fix but he has a ton of experience.....I think I was just lucky.
I can't quite picture JamesW's fix but he has a ton of experience.....I think I was just lucky.
Pump Strainer Pot Lid Handle Cracked Off!!!!!!
Try the wrench first. Try tapping the handles with a rubber hammer. Then try extending the handles with pieces of pipe. As a last resort, try the metal rod and then replace the dome.
Try the wrench first. Try tapping the handles with a rubber hammer. Then try extending the handles with pieces of pipe. As a last resort, try the metal rod and then replace the dome.
Some good suggestions here. I gave that thing all my strength and it just looked at me and laughed. I'll give a couple of these suggestions a try tonight. If unsuccessful, what are your thoughts on using this to cut it off piece-by-piece:
Dremel 4000-2/30 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit - Corded - Power Rotary Tools - Amazon.com
I just don't have much confidence that anything else will work.
Dremel 4000-2/30 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit - Corded - Power Rotary Tools - Amazon.com
I just don't have much confidence that anything else will work.
Here's another idea.
1) Put on the lid wrench.
2) Find a cylinder that perfectly fits over the dome down to the flat part.
3) Make the bottom water tight with glue or tape.
4) Fill the cylinder with ice water.
5) Wait a few minutes for the dome to cool and shrink.
6) Unscrew with wrench.
1) Put on the lid wrench.
2) Find a cylinder that perfectly fits over the dome down to the flat part.
3) Make the bottom water tight with glue or tape.
4) Fill the cylinder with ice water.
5) Wait a few minutes for the dome to cool and shrink.
6) Unscrew with wrench.
Well who woulda thought that a runner mallet and my wife holding things still would do the trick. I'm happy to post this pic:
Appreciate all the advice, folks!
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
Good job. Thanks for the update.Well who woulda thought that a rubber mallet and my wife holding things still would do the trick. I'm happy to post this pic:
Appreciate all the advice, folks!
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
For anyone this is helpful to, I find Aladdin Magic Lube to be more sticky, and so I use Leslie's lube, or a less sticky type of gasket lube for scenarios where I'm wanting more of a Grease-like behavior for the sand filter top cap threads than I am a stickier lube behavior.
Rinsing sand from everything did the trick during my last sand filter top re-installation. "greasing" it with a greasier type of gasket-friendly lube is a great idea.