How to Rebuild a Multiport Pool Valve

A pool's multiport valve can direct water to the pool vacuum.

A pool's multport valve discharges water into one of several pipes. Depending on the model, a multiport pool valve has between three and six discharge ports. During normal pool pump operation, the multiport valve directs water toward the pool filter. While cleaning the pool or servicing the filter, the multiport valve diverts the water flow toward the appropriate pool appliance. Turning the multiport valve from one port to another while the pump motor runs damages the valve's gaskets and causes leaks. Rebuilding a pool's multiport valve repairs the damage and eliminates the need to replace the valve.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver set
• Awl
• Hammer
• Light oil
• Rag
• Multiport valve rebuild kit
• Waterproof grease

Instructions

1. Turn off the pool pump's circuit breaker. Turn the multiport valve's handle to the "Filter" position, using the valve's port labels as a guide.

2. Remove the multiport valve's handle. If a screw holds the handle on the valve stem, turn the screw counterclockwise with the correct screwdriver and lift the handle off the stem. The screw often runs through the center of the handle and threads into the top of the stem. If the handle uses a locking pin, hold an awl's blade on the center of the pin and tap the awl's handle with a hammer until the pin slides out of the valve handle. After the pin falls out of the handle, lift the handle off the valve stem. The pin typically slides through the bottom of the handle.

3. Apply a drop of light oil to each of the screws holding the multiport valve's lid on the valve body. Six to eight screws hold the lid in place and are evenly spaced around the lid's perimeter.

4. Remove the screws holding the multiport valve's lid in place, using the correct screwdriver to turn the screws counterclockwise. If a screw will not turn, firmly hold the screwdriver's blade on the screw head and tap the screwdriver's handle lightly with the hammer. Repeat this until the screw loosens.

5. Lift the multiport valve's lid off the valve body, exposing the valve's internal parts. Set the lid aside.

6. Lift the spring and washer off the valve stem. The valve stem turns the diverter, sometimes called the rotor.

7. Note the direction of the multiport valve's diverter opening. The diverter opening faces the pipe that leads to the pool filter.

8. Grip the diverter's valve stem and lift the diverter out of the valve body. The diverter slides into the multiport valve's body.

9. Clean all sand and debris from the bottom of the multiport valve's body, using a rag. Often the debris that collects in the valve body destroys the valve's diverter, gaskets and O-rings.

10. Compare the shape and size of the multiport valve's old diverter to the new diverter in a compatible multiport valve rebuild kit. The orientation of the new diverter's ports and vanes must match the old diverter's ports and vanes.

11. Coat the new diverter's O-ring with a liberal amount of waterproof grease. The O-ring surrounds the perimeter of the diverter.

12. Push the new diverter into the multiport valve's body. Align the diverter's opening with the pool filter's pipe.

13. Cover the diverter's spider gasket, the gasket that covers the diverter's vanes, with waterproof grease. The vanes, on the diverter's top surface, direct the water flow toward the appropriate pipe.

14. Slip the new washer and spring over the valve stem. The washer rests on the spider gasket, and the spring sits on the washer.

15. Lay the lid's new gasket onto the valve body's mating surface, the surface the valve's lid tightens against. Align the gasket's screw holes with the valve body's screw holes.

16. Slide the multiport valve's lid over the valve stem and align the lid's screw holes with the valve body's screw holes. Press down on the lid, compressing the spring, and thread the lid's mounting screws into the valve body. Finger tighten each screw before releasing the pressure on the lid. Tighten each mounting screw with the correct screwdriver, compressing the gasket between the lid and valve body.

17. Press the valve handle onto the multiport valve's valve stem. Rotate the handle until it points at the pool filter pipe and lock the handle in place. If the handle uses a screw as a locking device, tighten the screw with the correct screwdriver. If the handle uses a pin as a locking device, slide the pin into its hole in the handle. Tap the end of the pin with a hammer until the pin rests flush the the handle's surface.

References

• Swimming Pool Parts: Multiport Valves
• Pool School PRO: Replacing Multiport Valve Spider Gaskets

Resources

• DIY Pool Care: Basic Swimming Pool Care