DYI? Several Jandy Valves Stuck

[Hosertx]

Strangely, I have 3 manual Jandy valves that have become stuck in the open position at the same time. Despite tightening the handle to turn the valve, the handle will turn on the gear teeth but not close the valve. I’m afraid I’ll strip the handle if I keep trying.

I have not been able to find on TFP what would cause a stuck valve. Especially if happening to multiple at the same time. It wouldn’t be the o ring gaskets causing it to stick, would it? Because my plumbing is below pool level, and these are intake valves feeding into the pump, I’m afraid to open these up and not be able to fix the issue quickly. Perhaps I can plug the skimmer and main drain manually to avoid losing lots of water while I fix the valves.
I’m pretty handy, but breaking a valve in a tight plumbing space and not knowing what is causing the valves to be stuck is giving me pause. Thoughts or advice?

 

[PoolStored]

Is your equipment below your main drain?
Yes, you will have to plug all sources of water.
There might be something stuck in the valves. You're probably going to have to open it up to check it out.
Manual is here—> https://www.jandy.com/-/media/zodia...0100.pdf?rev=388bd047df7847e98cd3b52508546e2d
Get an O ring kit and replace the O rings when you close it back up.
Mark the lid with a marker to make sure that you reinstall it the same way.
Just turn off the pump and remove the screws. Use the handle to pull up. Snug up the thumb screw before using the handle to pull up.
When reinstalling the screws, rotate the screw backward slowly until it drops in the same threads.
Do not use a drill driver. Manual screw driver only.

 

[Hosertx]

Thanks. But 2 of the 3 shown, and another outgoing valve all being stuck at the same time seems suspicious. But I guess I’ll have open them up and see. Also, what can I use to plug the skimmer drains and the main drain shown in the picture attached. Yes, My equipment is below the pool.

 

[PoolStored]

You will want to plug everything, skimmers, drains and returns (water can come backward).
Both the main drain, and the skimmers have holes in the bottom.
Take the cover off the main drain (pump OFF).

You can use rubber plugs

You can use expandable rubber plugs.

Usually the skimmers, and less so main drains, have threads in the holes. So do the returns. You can use pool return winterizing plugs. You will want to use these in the returns also...water will come backward in the system from the returns.

 

[JamesW]

Despite tightening the handle to turn the valve, the handle will turn on the gear teeth but not close the valve.

Loosen the screw to turn the handle.

try lifting up on the handle to get past the stops.

 

[1poolman1]

Strangely, I have 3 manual Jandy valves that have become stuck in the open position at the same time. Despite tightening the handle to turn the valve, the handle will turn on the gear teeth but not close the valve. I’m afraid I’ll strip the handle if I keep trying.

I have not been able to find on TFP what would cause a stuck valve. Especially if happening to multiple at the same time. It wouldn’t be the o ring gaskets causing it to stick, would it? Because my plumbing is below pool level, and these are intake valves feeding into the pump, I’m afraid to open these up and not be able to fix the issue quickly. Perhaps I can plug the skimmer and main drain manually to avoid losing lots of water while I fix the valves.
I’m pretty handy, but breaking a valve in a tight plumbing space and not knowing what is causing the valves to be stuck is giving me pause. Thoughts or advice?

Tightening the handle locks it in place. You need to loosen the nut and lift a bit, disengage the teeth, to turn a Jandy valve.

 

[Hosertx]

Loosen the screw to turn the handle.

try lifting up on the handle to get past the stops.

That worked! Thanks James and pool man. I’ve been doing it wrong all along. I needed to loosen it and lift a bit and they turned. Dang it. A bit embarrassed leading this with “I’m pretty Handy”. Thanks a bunch!

 

[Jimrahbe]

H,

I'm pretty embarrassed myself...

When I initially read your post I saw where you said you "tightened" the handle, but I convinced myself that is not what you meant to say...

I should have said something right then..

Sigh!!

Jim R.

 

[PoolStored]

I'm pretty embarrassed myself...

You are not alone.