Stupid seal plate gasket doesn't fit

[restoman]

This may have already been answered so forgive me if it has, but I can't find it. My question is regarding the seal plate gasket. There are two types. The almond and the black. The gasket in there now is almond (pre 2008 which is what mine is) so I ordered an almond gasket to replace it. As you can see by the attached picture, it's too big in diameter to fit inside the slot. No matter how I try to position it, it pops out somewhere. I can get it to fit the top, but it pops out the bottom. I can get it to fit in the bottom, but it pops out the top (or the sides). I'm assuming I'm not the only person in the world having this issue so my question is can I use some kind of silicone gasket maker that comes in a squeeze tube instead of this stupid seal, and if so, what do you guys recommend?

Thanks
Ed

 

[JamesW]

It probably got stretched.

Put it in ice water to make it shrink.

Use some silicone lube in the groove first to help hold it in place as you put it in the groove.

 

[proavia]

Did you order an OEM gasket, a generic or off Amazon?

Write down the motor information, take the non-fitting gasket and the old gasket (if you still have it) to your local pool shop and get one that fits.

As @JamesW suggested - coat the gasket with silicone lube (NOT silicone sealant/gasket maker) first.

 

[restoman]

Thanks guys. I'll give that a shot tomorrow.

Ed

 

[JamesW]

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[restoman]

James, I get paid this Friday and I promise I'll become a supporter. I'm not rich so it'll have to be the $30 membership but in the meantime, the ice method didn't work. The seal is just the same as before, so can I cut it and then seal the two edges with RTV gasket maker?

Ed

 

[PoolStored]

Did you order an OEM gasket, a generic or off Amazon?

^^This.

How old is the pump?

You have WFE pumps.

Seal is 9. (https://www.pentair.com/content/dam...l/parts-sheets/pool-pumps/WhisperFlo_Pump.pdf)

 

[JamesW]

You can cut it and glue it with superglue.

If you want extra security, you can use aquarium silicone in the groove to make it seal better, but you would have a difficult time getting it apart.

Allow the silicone to dry overnight.

You can get a new gasket if there is one available.

For pumps manufactured after 2/1/2008, you need the black gasket.

9 357100 Black Gasket for Seal Plate 14
9 357102 Almond Gasket for Seal Plate 15

14 2-1-08 to present.
15 1-31-08 and prior

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/parts-sheets/pool-pumps/WhisperFlo_Pump.pdf

 

[JamesW]

The gasket in there now is almond (pre 2008 which is what mine is)

Pre 2008 should be almond.

If you can get a black gasket, maybe try that to see if it fits better or try a different almond gasket as the existing one might be stretched out.

 

[PoolStored]

9 357100 Black Gasket for Seal Plate 14
9 357102 Almond Gasket for Seal Plate 15

See the first "9" listed in the parts list is for WFE pumps. He has WFE pumps. I don't think those are the correct seal for his pump. See my previous post.

 

[JamesW]

The old O-ring was round.

The new O-ring has a defined shape.

When was the pump manufactured?

The noted differences are #1, #4, #14 and #15.

 

[JamesW]

If you put some silicone sealant in the groove first, you can sometimes push the gasket into place while compressing it to make it fit.

Tacky sealant or gasket maker holds it in place so that it does not pop out as you are compressing it into the groove.

 

[restoman]

To answer your questions, yes, I got the generic seal (never again!) and my original WFE-6 pump was built on July 6th, 2005 so I got the 357012. However, I had to buy a replacement seal plate, P/N 350202 a few years ago and it came with the almond gasket pre-installed. At this point I'm not sure I want to mess with it since the seal isn't very expensive. I'll probably just buy another one as it would be too much of a toss-up to cut and seal this one. My luck it would leak like a sieve!

Thanks for the help guys.

Ed

 

[PoolStored]

P/N 350202

Then you need 357100

https://www.amazon.com/Pentair-357100-Gasket-Replacement-Inground/dp/B004VTHB4O

 

[JamesW]

350202

 

[restoman]

This is too confusing. I used the PDF file I found on the Pentair site for the Whisperflo pump (see attached), and it says I need the almond gasket P/N 357102 (Note 15 for pools built 1-31-08 and prior). So what's the difference between the black gasket and the almond gasket???

Ed

 

[PoolStored]

You are using replacement seal plate, P/N 350202. That plate requires the 357100.

 

[JamesW]

So what's the difference between the black gasket and the almond gasket???

Probably the size.

 

[restoman]

Well, I give up. I just ordered one of each! When they arrive I'll see what the difference is and let you know.

Ed

 

[restoman]

Ok, just to let everyone know, the two gaskets arrived and there's not one thing different between them except the black on has a "square" cross section and the almond one is shaped more like a pyramid with the "point" facing out. The almond one also has a hair taller cross section but other than that, they're both the same diameter (and both fit).

And by the way, I donated $20 this morning. Sorry, but I couldn't do $30 but I hope that's okay.

Ed