Grease Gasket Broke

[dielseman]

Hi there,
The cap to the grease gasket valve broke and the screw is stuck in the hole. I’ve tried using the method from INYO pools by hammering a flathead screw driver into the valve, but that didn’t work. I also tried a screw extraction tool which didn’t work. The trouble I’m running into is because there are two filter pumps close by one another so there’s not too much space to use the tools properly.

Has anyone tried plugging one of these valves with a sealant? I tried dap aquarium sealant and the pressure blew the sealant off quickly.

Does anyone else have suggestions?

 

[dielseman]

Has anyone tried filling the hole with epoxy stick putty or marine adhesive sealant?

 

[borjis]

Might work on the suction side, but not on pressure side unfortunately.

 

[dielseman]

Might work on the suction side, but not on pressure side unfortunately.

That’s what I was concerned about. This is the second gasket on the right. What can be done?

 

[borjis]

Replace the broken valve, if I understand correctly.

 

[JamesW]

Do you have a picture?

Heat up the tip of a flathead screwdriver and push it into the screw allowing it to melt into the screw plastic. Give it a minute to cool and then extract the screw.

 

[dielseman]

Do you have a picture?

Heat up the tip of a flathead screwdriver and push it into the screw allowing it to melt into the screw plastic. Give it a minute to cool and then extract the screw.

I tried heating the tip and couldn’t get deep enough into the gasket hole. Here’s a picture. The second gasket on the right is the one that broke.

 

[JamesW]

The cap to the grease gasket valve broke and the screw is stuck in the hole.

You're saying valve but showing the drain plug of the pump?

The pump has unions, loosen the unions to allow the pump to rotate so that you can get better access to the hole.

 

[dielseman]

Here’s a picture of another filter of the piece that broke. It’s the second cap on the right. When I run the pump, water comes out of that valve. So I’ve had to keep the filter pump off for a few days.

 

[JamesW]

Loosen the pump unions so that you can get better access to the hole.

Heat up a flat head screwdriver very hot with a flame and push it into the plastic, let it cool and then unscrew.

 

[dielseman]

Loosen the pump unions so that you can get better access to the hole.

Heat up a flat head screwdriver very hot with a flame and push it into the plastic, let it cool and then unscrew.

How do I loosen the pump unions?

 

[JamesW]

 

[dielseman]

Thanks. I’ll try this and let you know how it goes! Appreciate your help!

 

[dielseman]

This exceeds my comfort level. Out of curiousity, can the pump run while the water is leaking for that valve? I will likely need to seek a pro to fix this.