Any advice how to remove and replace the white sand screen under the drain cap. I like to learn how things work so decided to change out my own sand once my multiport cracked this winter. I opened the drain cap and flipped it over to unlock the sand screen and let the sand pour out and it snapped instanly. I shop vac'd all the sand out and cleaned the tank and tried to tap it out with a screw driver, cut it out with a knife, and anything else I could think of that wouldnt break the filter can. I assumed this was threaded and not glued or held by pressure. I planned to try a blow dryer to heat it up and keep working on it with a screw driver/hammer. The cap is not pretty much demolished except for the solid white part holding it in place. Thank you in advance for your help. First time posting here.
Hayward Sand Filter Sand Screen Under Drain Broken and Stuck
- Thread starter DoItYourselfPoorly
- Start date
Bill1974
Well-known member
- Jun 18, 2014
- 693
- Pool Size
- 32000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Thank you for the response. It was installed in 2019 so should have the threaded cap. When I used the drain cap key to remove that was the first break. I guess I will just keep chipping and figuring out ways to get it removed from being jammed. Thank you again.
I ran into the exact same problem today! Using the back of the cap to try and unscrew it did nothing but damage the prongs on the plug.
I would also appreciate any tips or update if you’re able to successfully remove it.
I would also appreciate any tips or update if you’re able to successfully remove it.
I ended up using a small screwdriver and chipping it out. The plastic is very soft. Tried to use a dremmel file tool and small knives to weaken the white cap and wedged it out with the screwdriver gently. Then I bought a replacement sand and outer cap. It took some work and patience to not damage the small threads on the inside but ended up working great. Hope this helps.
Easy solution: Turn the filter cavity upside down so the drain plug is facing straight up in the air. It's easier if you set it on a 50 gallon trash can, if you can. Put a little bit of penetrating spray around the rim just a little though. Then take a heat gun and slowly warm up the outside of the drain. Be careful not to heat it up too much but just enough to get it warm that you see some of the penetrating oil start to go down inside and then take a pair of needle nose pliers with whatever left inside and spread them and work slowly counter clockwise and it should come out pretty easy.