Waterway Crystal Water Filter Air Leak

[sidewaysboost]

Recently been doing some equipment upgrades, and went with the 525 sq ft Crystal Water cartridge filter from Waterway (thanks for the rec Jimrahbe!) via Polytec.

Really well made, solid filter. My one gripe is the change they made to remove the side handle holds on the top that are still shown in product pics online. Pretty clear that the molds were changed since there's parting lines where the handles used to be (see pic), not sure on the reasoning for removing them but honestly I was looking forward to the easy with those there.

Anyway, I wanted to check with anyone else here that has this model filter if there's been any problems with air leaks from the manual relief valve on top? At low pump speeds it seems to let air bubble in slowly, and at higher speeds it actually drips from the sides. I've already tried taking it apart to check o-rings, seems like it came from the factory with the quickest slap of silicone and shoved in because one o-ring hadn't been touched by any silicone.

Even after getting a good silicone coat and putting everything back together nice and tight it's still leaking. Has anyone else run into this with this specific filter?

 

[ajw22]

Waterways QC sounds disappointing as people are asking about this as an alternative to more expensive major brand filters.

Let us know how this ends up.

Have you tried making a warranty claim with Waterway?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Side,

I'd contact Polytech and see what they say.. What you have is not right and should be fixed.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[sidewaysboost]

Thanks Jim and Ajw, I did send in a request to Polytec but I thought I'd check in here as well in case this might be a known issue someone else might have had with this filter.

I'll post with an update when I hear back.

 

[sidewaysboost]

Polytec got back to me and said that the handles were removed from the design a few years ago, they just haven't updated product pics on their site. Bummer.

And Waterway just got back to me via email, they're going to replace the manual air relief assembly with an updated one that they say should fix the issue. I'll post comparisons once I receive it in case anyone else comes across the same issue.

 

[sidewaysboost]

2 weeks later and I've still got a leaking filter and a ton of air pushed through the lines anytime my pump starts up... I sent Waterway my mailing address to ship the replacement part but since then it's been crickets, no replies or a tracking number.

Now I'm just questioning whether I should have paid both arms and a leg to spring for a bigger known brand, instead of just the arm and leg for this one. Hoping Waterway will make good on their warranty