Fx6 aquastop valve leak

midasman714

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Oct 22, 2007
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Looks like it's leaking from the knob. Is this an o ring fix or do I have to replace the entire valve?

20190120_162533.jpg
 

cjdesmit

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I have two FX6's but can't recall exactly where the o-rings are... aren't they on the filter lid itself where the valve slides over onto, or are there actual rings within the valve? Like you said, It definitely appears to be leaking from the knob which would lead me to believe you'd need to replace the entire thing?
 

midasman714

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Oct 22, 2007
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I have two FX6's but can't recall exactly where the o-rings are... aren't they on the filter lid itself where the valve slides over onto, or are there actual rings within the valve? Like you said, It definitely appears to be leaking from the knob which would lead me to believe you'd need to replace the entire thing?
Yeah, there's a large ring on the cover but this is related to aquastop valve. Just wondering if anyone has fixed this somehow without having to buy the whole valve. But i think that's what I'll have to end up doing.
 

midasman714

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Does the valve use proprietary fittings?
Not sure but I was doing maintenance yesterday and now it's not leaking. The o rings that the valve sits on seem fine, so I'm thinking I just didn't secure it tightly before.
 

deeda

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My guess is that there is 2 o-rings inside the aquastop valve that seals the 'ends' of the knob but I have never tried taking it apart. I would bet that these are not considered an end user replacement.

I would just buy a new valve for now and then carefully figure out how the leaky one comes apart.

What you might try as a 'fix' is to remove the valve from the filter and using some water as a lubricant, open and close the valve multiple times to lubricate the internal o-rings and see if that helps. It may or may not work but is worth a try.
 

FishNCash

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Aug 1, 2009
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Stick the valve on the other end of the of the lid. The flow will get reverse but will be fine for testing purpose. If it’s still leaking you know it’s the valve.
 
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Mdoka

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Dec 24, 2018
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I have an FX6 and an FX4. I usually take the Aquastop valve apart and lube the special o-ring with a small amount of vaseline or petroleum jelly. I do not remove the special o-ring, just gently apply some to the exterior. There is a tab on the back side of the valve. Gently pry it over just enough to let the valve come out. Here are pics of mine apart. You can plainly see the tab and special o-ring. If your special o-ring is broke, just as cheap to buy the whole valve.

Pic #1 - Looking down into valve open.
Pic #2 - Looking into valve closed.
Pic #3 - Looking at back side of valve where the tab is. (I've already pulled the valve out.)
Pic #4 - Shows the special o-ring that you can simply apply a small amount of vaseline to and remedy the dry/sticky hard to turn valve. It also helps make a tighter seal.

FluvalAqStop.jpg FluvalAqStop2.jpg FluvalAqStop3.jpg FluvalAqStop4.jpg
 

deeda

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Kip, excellent pics and thanks for chiming in on the topic!!

Have you had any issues with disassembling the valve to lube it and then putting it back into service again?
 
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Mdoka

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Kip, excellent pics and thanks for chiming in on the topic!!

Have you had any issues with disassembling the valve to lube it and then putting it back into service again?
Thanks Deeda, happy to help. The tab that you see in pic #3 is molded on and is the actual stop when switching it from open or closed. It takes very little pressure to push it over far enough to pull the valve out. When putting it back in, put the tab part in first making sure it will snap/align into the locking part when pushed back in. Really simple. Here’s another pic of the back side still in the assembly. You can clearly see where the tab needs to go. I positioned it in the center just so you can see the ends where it stops when fully open or closed.

FluvalAqStop5.jpg
 
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