This guide will walk you through replacing the handle on a multiport valve. 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.
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.
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.
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.
4. This is a picture of the top of the multiport valve after it is removed. Note that it is upside down.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
11. Turn the power to the pump back on.
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