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How To Replace a Pool Multiport Valve Spring

WRITTEN BY: Inyo Pools

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Occasionally after years of use, the valve spring may break or become weak. When this happens the spider gasket will not seal properly and your valve may start leaking into the wrong ports. This guide shows you how to replace the spring in your pool multiport valve. This guide is written showing a Hayward Multiport Valve; however, the content is applicable to most other valves.

Please click here to view the most common multiport valves.

Step by Step

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Step 1

Before starting, make sure you TURN OFF THE POOL PUMP. For maximum safety turn off the power at the circuit breaker to the pump.

Step 2

Next release the pressure in the filter tank by turning the drain cap at the bottom of the tank a half a turn counter-clockwise. After you hear the air release, close the drain cap clockwise. Hand tighten.

Please click here to view the filters parts.

Step 3

Take the top of the multiport valve off, by unscrewing the six screws around the outside edge of the valve. You do not have to remove the whole filter valve to replace the valve spring, only the top handle assembly.

Step 4

This is a picture of the top handle assembly of the multiport valve once removed. The assembly is upside down and the valve spring is in the center.

Please click here to view the most common multiport valves.

Step 5

Place the top handle assembly face up on a carpet piece or towel to protect the spider gasket on the bottom side of the top valve assembly. Make note of the position of the handle relative to the opening at the bottom of the valve. The handle must be installed in this same position. It is possible to install the handle 180 degrees out of position and completely mess up your valve operation.

Step 6

While sitting in a chair, place your feet on either side of the handle and lean forward on the valve to compress the valve spring. With the spring compressed, tap out the steel pin that holds the handle to the valve stem. A small nail punch works well here. If the pin doesn't punch out easily, you haven't compress the spring far enough. Lean a little further but use caution. Don't put your full weight on the valve or you may break it.

Step 7

Lift the handle off the valve stem and check the white plastic bearing washer underneath the handle to make sure it is intact. This washer sometimes cracks and interferes with the rotation of the handle.

Step 8

Lift the valve cover off of the valve stem.

Please click here to view the most common multiport valves.

Step 9

Slide the valve spring and two washers off the valve stem.

Step 10

This is a picture of the Top Valve Subassembly completely dismantled

Step 11

Slide the new spring and washers onto the valve stem. If the washers are bent or scored, you should replace them also.

Step 12

Place the valve cover back onto the valve stem.

Please click here to view the most common multiport valves.

Step 13

Place the new handle on the valve stem and reinsert the pin using the same method described above. The pin may be fluted on one end to make a tighter fit. Insert the smooth end of the pin first as shown. Again, if it takes more than a couple of taps to insert the pin, you have to compress the spring a little more.

Step 14

If you have aligned the handle correctly, it should look like the positioning shown in Step #5. If the valve looks like the picture at the left, it is attached wrong and will have to be remounted. If the valve is operated with the handle mounted 180 degrees off, you will Backwashing when you think you are Filtering and Recirculating when you want to dump water to Waste.

Step 15

Replace the Top Valve Assembly on top of the Valve Body and secure it with the 6 screws. The Top Valve Assembly can only be mounted one way with the notches lining up.

Step 16

Turn the power to the pump back on.

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(41 to 46 of 46)

Anonymous Posted: 5/18/2013

Thanks for the inputs, I just refurbed min with a little elbow grease and some Armor All - had suffered through replacing sand etc :(
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/7/2013

OakPool - The part number for a 1 1/2" Praher SM10-2 for DE filters (threaded) is 261177. The part number for a 2" Praher SM10-2 for DE filters (threaded) is 261152. Note: the manufacturer on these valves shows as Pentair. Praher valves are used by several filter manufacturers.
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OakPool Posted: 5/6/2013

I have Praher SM10-2 valve for D.E. filter. Looking for a top assembly or the whole multiport valve. What's the correct model/part number?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 7/31/2012

KVK - You should be good to go. Unlike some filters, the multiport valve filters are self-purging. They exhaust the air in the system through the return ports.
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KVK Posted: 7/28/2012

Regarding the release of pressure and hand tightening the valve cap in step 2: Do I have to do anything else to the filter tank at the end of the job or is it good to go?
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Anonymous Posted: 7/18/2012

Great detailed information not found in videos.
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