Backwash Valve STUCK

[pspercy]

Pentair backwash valve "push-pull", 2" pvc. 3 yrs old.

Plunger well and truly stuck closed. Cannot twist or pull it. Lubricated O-rings at end of last summer.
Tried everything, even tried to bump it out with pump (collar unscrewed), doesn't budge.
Can twist a few degrees with great effort but afraid I'll break it.

Help!

 

[ajw22]

Any pro tips from @Pool Clown @kadavis @jimmythegreek @PoolguyinCT

 

[kadavis]

, this may help

 

[kadavis]

Another way is to get the white top up like in the picture and there is a black plate just below. On the plate there is a small hole and if you can work a tiny screwdriver or other tool you can lift plate up and use soap to lubricate or place handles of a pair of channel locks under plate and try working it up and out. Be careful this has a pvc shaft and could snap on you.

 

[JamesW]

Push/pull slide valves stink. You should switch to a multiport valve.

What filter do you have?

 

[pspercy]

Push/pull slide valves stink. You should switch to a multiport valve.

What filter do you have?

48sq ft Nautilus/ PacFab DE. 1984 vintage.
Backwash valve was replaced Oct 2015.

 

[JamesW]

As you can see, they are not good. I recommend that you replace it with a multiport.

 

[pspercy]

As you can see, they are not good. I recommend that you replace it with a multiport.

Pool is being demolished in July. Just wanted to keep it clean until then

 

[Pool Clown]

What happened is the orings swelled. no amount of lube will do it. Steady constant force. NO shock force to plastic, it will break. If you get it out and are going to keep, REPLACE orings every year. They are cheap, and less time consuming.

 

[pspercy]

What happened is the orings swelled. no amount of lube will do it. Steady constant force. NO shock force to plastic, it will break. If you get it out and are going to keep, REPLACE orings every year. They are cheap, and less time consuming.

Thanks, not sure how I can do that. I do have a set of new 'rings, was going to replace this spring !

 

[Pool Clown]

When they started to make backwash valves out of plastic, it created a real problem. The old brass ones were nice because you could beat up on them (pry against them) and they wouldn't break. You gotta be careful with the plastic ones... or just replace the whole thing (PITA).

 

[Hi-pH]

Another way is to get the white top up like in the picture and there is a black plate just below. On the plate there is a small hole and if you can work a tiny screwdriver or other tool you can lift plate up and use soap to lubricate or place handles of a pair of channel locks under plate and try working it up and out. Be careful this has a pvc shaft and could snap on you.

Thank you for posting these tips. I was able to free up a stuck valve by soaking it in Zero lubricant, adding it at top over several days. Then prying up on the top disk with a long thin screwdriver gave enough leverage to finally pull the stem assembly out. I would never have been able fix this without this info.