Leak between valve and actuator

[bdbull]

Was adjusting the cams on my valve and noticed it started leaking when it was turned all the way to the spa return. It stopped if I turned it back from all the way open to the spa. The leak appears to be coming from where the actuator goes into the valve. Is this a common failure point? What do I need to do to troubleshoot/fix this? Pool is just a little over a year old.

Photo and video of leak in imgur album

https://imgur.com/a/4UoYGSy

 

[JoyfulNoise]

The valve shaft seal is leaking. Buy the o-ring kit and replace the seals.

 

[JamesW]

The top might be cracked.

Remove the actuator and check for cracks.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

99% probability it’s the shaft seal. I’ve changed many of them. In fact, I bought a bag full of about 12 sets of o-rings for the valves I have. I just changed out a set the other day.

The shaft on the valve body is sealed by a double o-ring set with a small plastic split ring separator. Don’t lose the split ring, it’s tiny. You simply unbolt the actuator, remove the remaining screws on the valve cover and pull the top plate and shaft assembly out. The shaft pushes out of the top cover. It’s pretty obvious once you take it apart. Just replace all the o-rings on the valve - 2 shaft seals and one cover seal. It’s stupid-simple to fix.

Pro tip - you may use a cordless drill with a screwdriver bit to remove the screws BUT NEVER use an electric screwdriver to put them back on. Always hand tighten them back on or else you can strip the screw holes in the plastic valve body.

 

[JamesW]

Maybe it is a shadow, but this looks like a crack.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Maybe it is a shadow, but this looks like a crack.

View attachment 543921

Yeah. That’s too blurry to make out. Definitely could be a crack if there was ever any freeze damage. Sometimes plastics can fracture but not leak right away and it takes some thermal cycling for the crack to open up and leak.

As you suggested, just pulling the actuator off should make it pretty obvious to see where the water is coming from.

 

[Mayorb]

Sometimes it's more than just the o rings. If the pump has run hot, the o rings can deform an impression into the lid where they are seated. Take a close look at sides of the inner diameter of the lid where the two o rings are, the sides should be perfectly flat. When in doubt, replace the lid.

 

[mas985]

I think that is the ridge on the valve cover:




I have to replace the shaft o-rings about every other year. The o-rings don't last as long because the shaft is starting to get worn. Soon I will need to spring for new internals.