We don't close our pool for the winter, as the temps don't get all that low around here. But it DOES get below freezing on occasion. A couple of weeks ago, we got a cold snap. I don't know that this has anything to do with anything, but I thought it should be mentioned. Anyway. After the temps came back up for a few days, I wanted to clean out the filter (cartridge filter... the pressure was getting a little high). However, the top cover on the filter housing (Hayward Star Clear Plus) wouldn't come off. The locking knob turns, and the cover moves up as the internal threaded rod unscrews, but when the threaded rod gets unscrewed all the way, the cover is still stuck. It's never done this before. I tried prying on it a bit, but that didn't work, and I was afraid of breaking the housing. It appears that the cover is up enough to be clear of the housing, but something has it stuck down. Any ideas? I need to get this fixed soon, as my pump pressure keeps climbing.
Filter housing top cover won't come off.
- Thread starter GearHead36
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,210
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Those top sections can get caught when the e-clip and knob parts get old, rusty, or simply don't play nice together anymore. Take a look at my thread link below and see if my repair scenario helps. Once you get it apart, it's a fairly easy/cheap fix. Good luck!
Hayward Cartridge Filter Locking Knob Repair
Hayward Cartridge Filter Locking Knob Repair
Jammed maybe. I waited until the temps were above 50 for a couple of days. Should have been thawed if it had been frozen. That was my thought, too. So I waited until the weather pretty much guaranteed that it wasn't frozen.
- - - Updated - - -
Thanks. I'll give this a try.
A follow up. Once it got warm enough and dry enough to work on this, the cover popped right off as normal. The cold must have had an effect.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,210
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Glad things worked out. For future reference, keep that link above handy if you ever suspect the e-clip is corroding. It's a fairly easy DIY project. You'll know when it's bas because the lid won't come off. Also, I always like to put a little silicon on that threaded post/center shaft that the top housing screws into in an effort to try and keep everything moving easy. Have a nice weekend.I'm considering putting that e-clip on a yearly maintenance (replacement) schedule. As mentioned in the article, they're cheap.
I think my problem was the big o-ring was dry. I'm guessing that having it well coated with silicone would have prevented this.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,210
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Yes, I lube my housing O-ring about 2-3 times per year when I have everything apart. It does help.
I did this today. It made a HUGE difference in how much effort it took to tighten down the filter cover. I guess it's been dry since we first got it.