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How To Replace a Pool Multiport Valve Handle

WRITTEN BY: Inyo Pools

3.47 out of 5 stars on 19 ratings
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Occasionally after years of use, the handle of your multiport valve on your pool filter may crack or break off and you will need to replace it. This guide shows you how to replace the handle on a multiport valve.

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 filters.

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 handle, only the top handle assembly.

Step 4

This is a picture of the top of the multiport valve after it is removed. Note that it is upside down.

Step 5

Place the valve 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. Replacement Parts: Hayward Multiport Valve Handle - Part # 4700-01X; Pin for Valve Handle - Part # 4700-02X; Teflon Bearing Washer - Part # 4700-03X

Please click here to view the Hayward Valve Handle.

Please click here to view Pin for Handle

Please click here to view Teflon Bearing Washer

Step 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

Turn the power to the pump back on.

Please click here to view the most common multiport valves.

Comments

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(1 to 20 of 20)

Richard Posted: 5/9/2019

I replaced the diverter assembly as indicated and made sure to reinstall the white washer under the handle, but now there;s water leaking (a lot) from around the the handle. Now what? Thanks RIchard
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InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 5/9/2019

Did the new diverter assembly come with new o-rings for the diverter shaft? It's possible that it did not and that is how water is shooting up the handle.
Reply

InyoPools Posted: 9/4/2018

Hello Nolan - Most above ground pools have valves that can prevent water from flowing back to the equipment when service is needed. If you don't have those valves, you can plug the skimmer and return jet. Your other option would be to drain the water below the skimmer and return jet.
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Nolan Posted: 9/3/2018

Silly question - my multiport valve handle snapped in place, in 'filter' mode. I have an above ground pool, does this method require the pool water level to be dropped and the filter 'emptied' to service?
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Kyle Posted: 2/17/2018

This video is far more than helpful. Like Christel, my white plastic bearing was broken, and I was going to use the hammer to take out the pin without doing those steps. This video saved me so much!!!!! Thank you very very much!!!!
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/20/2017

Christel - For most of these MPVs you have to compress the spring to take pressure off of the pin. So you have to take the upper part of the MPV off the base to do this.
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Christel Posted: 6/20/2017

My handle is fine but the plastic washer underneath is broken, can I just take the handle off by pushing the pin through and replace the washer? Or do I have to remove the whole thing?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/5/2017

Anonymous (MPV Key & Handle Assem) - If you are replacing the whole Key Cover Handle Assembly, you do not have to take the pin out to check the washer. The new assembly has a new washer.
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Anonymous Posted: 6/4/2017

If I am replacing the whole Key Cover Handle Assembly do I need to take the pin out and check the washer or can I just take the old one off and replace it with the new one after I get it in the same position the old one was in?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/6/2016

MPV handle - Reread steps 6 and 8 again. It may help to have someone press down on the assembly while another person is inserting the pin. Note that one end of the pin will go into the hole easier that the other end.
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Anonymous Posted: 6/5/2016

I was able to replace the gasket but I can not get the pin back in the handle. I can not push the assembly back together enough to fit the pin in the hole....HELP!
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Rich Posted: 6/15/2019

Can’t get pin back into handle
Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/20/2019

Take a look at this video from our How To: Replace A Hayward Key Seal Assembly guide. It shows the process and importantly the effort it takes to get that pin into place.
Reply

Jimmy Posted: 3/19/2016

Just tapped pin out on mine. Turned over Teflon washer. Put new handle on and tapped back in. Works like new. Must be a different model than the article.
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Anonymous Posted: 9/19/2015

my multiport valve handle broke and all I had to do was take the pin out. didn't need to take any thing apart.
Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 10/17/2014

Losing water - I would check to see if the Multiport Valve spider gasket is damaged and letting water out the waste line while the valve is in filter mode. See our guide on "How to Replace a Spider Gasket on a Multiport Valve".
Reply

how to replaCE MUTIPORT VALVE Posted: 10/16/2014

LOSING WATER LEVEL WHEN VALVE IN FILTER POSITION
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 9/30/2013

broken handle - It's hard to say without seeing the actual multport valve, but, in general, I would wedge something slightly larger than the core of the handle into the broken off end and try to back the broken part out.
Reply

Anonymous Posted: 9/25/2013

My handle has broke where it is threaded inside. Any suggestions?
Thanks
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Jertman Posted: 9/24/2013

thanks for your easy to follow instructions! My handle broke off a few weeks ago and I was able to replace it with the handle from our old pump! Thanks again.

Julie Ertmann
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