Trouble opening cap over basket on pump

[TerriP]

Hi, prior to starting our Hayward pump I removed, cleaned and lubed the o ring of the basket on the pump. The filter has been running 2 days and I can’t remove the clear cover over the basket. It won’t budge! Ideas? Leaves collecting in this basket are reducing water pressure.

 

[Texas Splash]

The filter has been running 2 days and I can’t remove the clear cover over the basket. It won’t budge! Ideas?

Mine gets stuck too. Do you have a rubber mallet? Just a few taps on the ears of the lid should help it move enough to where you can twist with your hands. Works for mine anyways.

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Also helps while at the same time I open the air purge on my filter to relieve a little pressure.

 

[TerriP]

Mine gets stuck too. Do you have a rubber mallet? Just a few taps on the ears of the lid should help it move enough to where you can twist with your hands. Works for mine anyways.

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Also helps while at the same time I open the air purge on my filter to relieve a little pressure.

Thanks. I’ll try it.

 

[Jae0166]

I had the same problem went from using magic lube to jacks lube and started coming off a lot easier.

 

[niteshift38]

I ALWAYS have the same issue. I automatically just slip a "wonder bar" through the handle to open mine. Gives just the right amount of leverage. Knock on wood, the 4th basket I have used this method, and have not had the handle break! (Watch, I probably just jinxed myself .. LOL). Hope this helps! Good Luck !!!!

 

[cj133]

Hi, prior to starting our Hayward pump I removed, cleaned and lubed the o ring of the basket on the pump. The filter has been running 2 days and I can’t remove the clear cover over the basket. It won’t budge! Ideas? Leaves collecting in this basket are reducing water pressure.

I haven't used a Hayward pump since sometime around 1998 (haven't had a pool since then up until our Intex right now), but we always had the same exact problem with two different pumps from 1980-1998.

From what I recall, even using Vaseline on the O ring wouldn't help and you basically had to keep trying until it would move. Once it moved a little, it'd twist right open.

Sounds like nothing has changed.

 

[Teald024]

Hi, prior to starting our Hayward pump I removed, cleaned and lubed the o ring of the basket on the pump. The filter has been running 2 days and I can’t remove the clear cover over the basket. It won’t budge! Ideas? Leaves collecting in this basket are reducing water pressure.

I had the same issue until I stopped putting it on so tight. With the o-ring lubed up it makes it easy to over tighten. I used to bash my knuckles on the inlet pipe. Now I always make sure the ears are perpendicular to the inlet pipe.

 

[swimcat]

I, finally, got my Intex pump cover off after dozens of try. Had to get a friend who works out a lot and has big hands to do it. Intex doesn't have a handle on top of the pump cover. Any suggestions as to how to put it back on so I don't have this problem again? Jacks lube and don't tighten much? Anything else to try?

 

[frogabog]

Petroleum Jelly is what Intex advises. On all the screwed fittings.

Silicone lube also works, but more people have petroleum jelly hanging around than have silicon lube.

 

[swimcat]

Thanks, Frogabog!