Cracked Threads on Return

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Styxbb

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May 5, 2014
91
Ohio
I just changed my pool liner and am refilling my pool when I noticed this. A crack in the return adapter. My pool store suggested using Schmear and an adapter to fix it. But having the adapter permanently stick out of the wall isn't ideal(to me at least). So, searching the internet, I found something called a frankenplug. Anyone with any experience with this?

Thanks
 

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Styxbb said:
This is the adapter and Schmear they sold me.
Click to expand...
Is it leaking is the first thing to determine.
Those threads are not there to seal from a leaking fitting as if they were in a pressure area like a pump out let or filter, etc., but just to hold a return fitting in place, so should not be under any real pressure when the pump is running. If you already bought the Schmear pellets, you can get the solvent, mix it thin enough that you can fill the crack and, as the product cures, use a wire with a very small hook to clear the threads and install a return fitting after the cure. Takes patience, but can be done. Did it successfully once with PlastAid.

If you haven't bought the Schmear, fill the crack with silicone sealant, wrap about three turns of Teflon tape on it, and install the return fitting quickly. Again, there should not be water pressure on those thread in use, its an open line.

The Frankenplug will also stick out a little, though not as much as that adapter. Never used one, but Polaris made an adapter that worked the same way for un-threaded return lines so their cleaner could be installed. They worked well.
 
I’ve use them and they work great, but the head of the frankenplug will protrude into the pool about 1-2 inches, depending on how deep it sits in the return.
 
I should add that once the frankenplug is installed it’s in…at one account I loosened the compression/wedge nut thinking I was going to remove the plug for winterization. I gave up on that notion pretty quickly. Your results may differ, as that account truly was an oddball situation all the way around.
 
Do a check to make sure there is an actual leak there. Looks like someone used a sawzall to get a stuck eyeball fitting out and went to deep.

Since the liner is new, is replacing the entire fitting an option? I had mine replaced, I was lucky the liner was only a few months old and I was redoing the patio and all the lines. My fitting was split on the opposite end.

Repair with Schmear should work, I would practice on a part out of the pool to find the right technique or run the risk of having to do it multiple times. I would be tempted to fill all the threads and cut new threads. Or cleaning and filling the crack area and then use a polypropylene threaded plug to form the threads before the Schmear hardens. The polypropylene threaded plug is not effected by MEK and should not stick either. I would test before trying this too. A steel or brass plug could also work, but I think the hardened Schmear may adhere to it.
 

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Bill1974 said:
I would be tempted to fill all the threads and cut new threads.
Click to expand...
This reminded me. I have had success repairing internal threads of returns by creating a tap out of a 1.5” steel nipple. Cut vertical reliefs in the threads of the nipple with a dremel to collect the cuttings. You could then fill the crack trying to maintain the thread profile as much as possible and then clean it up with your “tap”.
 
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