I think what I have is a Pentair pump. I can find that info if necessary. The pump basket lid is about 7" across. I regularly took it off and cleaned the basket at least every 2 weeks. I have a piece of wood that is about 1"x2" and at least 3' long. Over the years I have used it as a lever to loosen the lid when it was too tight. It is Sept 2024 now. Back in about June, I was cleaning my pool and a friend happend to be here and offered to help. I always clean the o-ring and lube it and put it all back on myself. But when I got the o-ring lube out but he insisted to use vaseline as he said that was best. Well I haven't been able to get that lid off since then. I saw where somebody said vaseline was not recommended so wondering if that caused the problem. Of course everyone suggests tapping on it or using a lever and even tapping on the lever. I've done all that. I've tapped rather forcefully with a dead-blow hammer probably just short of breaking the lid. I tried using a hair-dryer to warm it up. I tried pouring cold water to shrink the o-ring (haha oh well the space shuttle made me think of that). I did loosen the valve at the bottom of the pump basket to let off any pressure. I tried tapping a thin flat screwdriver under the edge of the lid all the way around to break the seal. I tried WD-40 all around the lid. I've run out of ideas. I'm about to drill through the top of it and bust it out but I'm afraid I'll end up with part of the plastic threads still adhered to the basket threads and have to replace the whole basket. I've been working on this for the past 3 months and it has not budged at all. Any ideas are welcome. I read all the ideas I could find on TFP on an old thread but it said that thread was too old and to start a new one. So this is my first time to ask a question.
Please help with stuck pump basket lid
- Thread starter vdavis.tx
- Start date
If it is a Pentair (maybe a photo of the top would help), it is a 2 piece lid with the plastic insert and the lid housing that screws onto the pump body. Then the oring fits against the pump body held in place by the lid housing.
Have you tried the following - turn off pump, open the relief valve on the filter then unscrew the drain plug below the pump basket. It is a thumb type screw head. This would relieve all suction pressure on the oring.
Based on what I read, the lid housing will not rotate. Have you tried to put a piece of wood against one of the wings of the lid housing and then tap the wood to rotate the lid counterclockwise to unscrew it? Try to tap one wing then the other always in CC rotation using the wood to protect the lid wing.
Have you tried the following - turn off pump, open the relief valve on the filter then unscrew the drain plug below the pump basket. It is a thumb type screw head. This would relieve all suction pressure on the oring.
Based on what I read, the lid housing will not rotate. Have you tried to put a piece of wood against one of the wings of the lid housing and then tap the wood to rotate the lid counterclockwise to unscrew it? Try to tap one wing then the other always in CC rotation using the wood to protect the lid wing.
This is what I have. Yes I know to go counter clockwise to loosen. Yes I have used the wood against the wings and tapped being sure to strike CC each time. I also lay the length wood between the gap on top of the lid to get more leverage but still no luck. I have already opened the drain plug at the bottom of the pump basket and yes it is a thumb screw. Before I did this the basket was completely full of water from when it had been on. I let it all out by opening that drain plug. All of my attempts have been done with the system off. I have not tried opening any thing else. Tomorrow I will try to release the pressure on the filter itself while the valve is open on the basket.
Thanks very much for your suggestions.
Thanks very much for your suggestions.
V26-007 – Lid Removal Wrench (Dura-Glas/Max-E-Glas II Pumps) – Val-Pak Products
val-pakproducts.com
U79-11 | Pump Lid Wrench Tool | Pentair
Pentair Sta-Rite Dura-Glas Pump Lid Removal Wrench Tool U7911, Mfg #: U79-11, Upc Code: 788379850838, Use To Remove Lid Not To Install Lid. Give You Extra Leverage To Pry Open A Stuck Pump Lid. Fits The Sta-Rite Duraglas Maxeglas And Jwp Pump Lids. S
mwpools.com
Pentair Sta-Rite Pump Lid Wrench Tool - U79-11
Maybe make your own wrench from wood or metal.
You can get some plywood and cut out a rectangle to perfectly fit over the part.
You can get some plywood and cut out a rectangle to perfectly fit over the part.
- May 27, 2021
- 1,308
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I knew it was a Sta Rite before I saw the pictures. They are troublesome under the best conditions and IMO a stupid design. With the system shutdown close all valves then open everything inside the valves that you can to equalize the pressure….filter air release, pump housing plugs, any fill or blowout ports. Get a 2x4 as long as will fit and allow you to rotate within the constraints of the pad setup….the longer the better you need the leverage. Lay it flat between the wings and use it to rotate the lid off. I’ve used deadblows and big strap wrenches as well to help persuade the lid. Once off be prepared to replace the swelled (from Vaseline) o-ring.
Bill1974
Well-known member
- Jun 18, 2014
- 662
- Pool Size
- 32000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Order a new cover and o-ring, once you receive them do what you have to to get the stuck cover off. Not sure what the o-ring material is, but I would guess it's nitrile rubber (BUNA-N). It should not be effected by Vaseline. The vasoline likely has likely hardened up. If the Vaseline had a alcohol component it has likely caused the o-ring to swell.
Try pouring hot water over the cover to enlarge it a bit and to maybe soften the vaseline.
Try pouring hot water over the cover to enlarge it a bit and to maybe soften the vaseline.
Thank you to everyone for the ideas. Turns out I just wasn't strong enough. My son got the lid off in about 5 minutes. He said the o-ring was in fact swelled probably from the vaseline that had been used (not by me!) Everything has been thoroughly cleaned and new o-ring installed using proper lubrication. All is fine and I appreciate all the ideas and information provided. Live and learn!