Particles coming out of the return valve

[kramer840]

Hey Waste, any ideas yet?

[waste]

Sorry for the delay! (thanks for the 'bump')

Your first move is to open up the filter and see what's going on in there. Can you give me the age and model # of the filter? Sounds like you've got a 'micro-clear' or 'pro-grid' - what do you have for a multiport (how many positions does it have?)

You apparently know how to take out the grid assembly (nest) and get it back in. Please check the o-ring that seals the nest to the 'stand pipe' - it's one place that vacuumed debris can bypass the filter. Another can be the gasket in the multiport. Of course the other 'usual suspect' is the grids and/ or manifold on the nest. Have no fear, we can talk you through any of these problems

[kramer840]

Thanks for the update. I'll get you super-specifics in the next couple of days, but here's what I know about the filter off the top of my head......

It's a Hayward. As for age, no idea. We bought the house in Feb. '06 and haven't changed anything out. The people who had the house before us had the pool built in the early 70's, but I know the filter isn't that old.

For the multi-port, it has 6 positions.... filter, backwash, rinse, closed, and 2 others. Not sure of the brand.

I probably won't be able to check the inside until the weekend.

[waste]

Thanks for responding in a more timely manner than I did!

I'm looking forward to helping you figure out what's going on and helping you fix it!!

[kramer840]

The model # of the filter is DE-LE-42054.

The multiport is also a Hayward (I believe a "Vari-flow"). It's definitely a 6-positioner.

[kramer840]

I think I may have figured out the problem. Over the weekend, I took out (and apart) the filter grid. I found that 2 of the grids had tears in the bottom, so it cost me about $80 to replace them. Put it back together, turned on the filter, added DE, and crossed my fingers. No particles coming out of the return jets (so far).

[PoolDoc]

I found that 2 of the grids had tears in the bottom, so it cost me about $80 to replace them.

That would do it! Since you're not still leaking stuff, it sounds like you may not only have found "some" leaks, you found "the" leaks!