The valve body is an essential part of the softener - housing the internal parts, including O-rings, seals, and more. It may seem like a big task to replace it, but don't be intimidated, we're here to guide you along the way. Let's work through these steps together to get your valve body replaced.
Click each step below to expand directions.
Step 1 - Depressurize & Disconnect the Softener
1. You'll want to start by turning the main water off in your home and then open a nearby softened water faucet to relieve pressure in your plumbing.
2. Next, unplug the softener’s power cord from the outlet.
3. Now push the bypass handle IN on the back of your unit to stop water from coming in or out of the softener while you work.
If you have a blending valve, make sure it's closed so no hard water is coming through. Refer to What is a Blending Valve for instructions.
4. To depressurize the unit, you'll need to hold the Recharge button until you hear the motor start to turn, then let go. The motor will stop after a few seconds. You'll see ‘Recharge Now’ or ‘Recharging’ flashing on the screen.
5. Press the Recharge button one time quickly. The motor will turn on, moving to the next cycle.
6. Keep repeating step 5 until the flashing 'Recharge' indicator disappears from your screen.
7. Remove the top cover. If you need more detailed instructions check out our article Removing the Top Cover. The wiring will still be connected, so flip the cover over to disconnect the wiring before you can take it completely off.
8. Time to disconnect the electronic connections from the top of the softener:
- Motor – unplug thick black and red wires at clear plastic connection piece.
- Switch – unplug the white plastic connector from the valve head at end of orange and green wires.
- Wire Harness – unclip harness from around the outlet port.
9. Now you should be able to take the cover off fully and set it down. If your softener has a tank light, you'll need to pop the bulb out of the softener rim in order to remove the cover.
10. You'll need to remove the black C-clips from the softener/bypass connection at the back of the unit. Pull one side of the black plastic C-clip away from the softener, and slowly roll it towards the other side to remove.
***If the clips seem stuck, slowly and gently rock the softener back and forth slightly while applying pressure to the clip as described above to free them.
11. Now, go ahead and pull the softener away from the bypass assembly.
Step 2 - Disconnect the Valve Head
1. Pictured below is the drain hose. You'll need to disconnect it by pulling the black clip up and then pulling the drain hose out. You may want to have a towel in case of any left over water in the line.
2. Disconnect the venturi (white cone piece) from the valve body by pulling up and out on the gray clip (you may need a pliers). Now pull the venturi out to the left to disconnect it from the valve (keep the hose attached). Locate and place the two small O-rings on the gray ports of the venturi connection.
3. Time to remove the large white clamps from the tank neck by unhooking the retainer clips that hold them together.
4. With both hands on the valve head, wiggle it side to side as you carefully pull it up and off the tank.
5. Check the position of the riser tube O-ring. It should sit about ¼ inch down from the top of the riser tube.
Step 3 - Disassemble & Reassemble the Valve Head
1. You'll need to take a part the valve head. Remove the yellow screws highlighted below and then lift the black motor box and motor plate/cover off.
2. Remove the circular cam/gear by pulling it straight up and off. It may be a bit tough.
3. You need to remove the 6-8 screws on the outside perimeter of the valve. Then take that valve cover off and set it to the side.
4. For this next part, you'll be removing the internal parts of the valve head. Use the picture below as a reference. You'll need to remove everything from the current valve body and place them into the new one.
5. Place these internal parts into the new valve body, using the photo above.
6. Once you've moved everything over, you can place the valve cover on the new body now and secure with the 6-8 screws you removed earlier.
7. Reattach the cam/gear by lining up the cutout in the cam with the shape on the gray rotor stem.
8. Attach the motor plate and motor to the valve cover, securing it with the screws.
9. Carefully place the complete valve head back onto the riser tube and push down until it rests on the tank below.
10. Put the large white tank clamps back on the top of the tank neck and secure them with the clips.
11. Last part here is to check your Outlet port for the Turbine and Support assembly (pictured below). If your outlet port is empty, make sure to take out the turbine and support from your old valve body and insert it into the new one.
Step 4 - Reconnect the Softener
1. Time to put everything else back together. Reconnect the softener to the bypass assembly and attach the black C-clips.
2. Go ahead and reconnect the main drain hose and elbow to the valve head.
3. Push the venturi back into the port on the left side of the valve body and secure with the gray clip.
4. Reconnect the wires. The switch connection should have one exposed terminal/prong.
- Wire Harness - attached around the Outlet port. This will only secure properly one way.
- Switch - connect onto the prong.
- Motor - connect at the plastic piece.
5. You can go ahead and turn the main water supply back on now.
6. Pull the bypass handle back OUT to allow water flow through the unit again.
7. Plug the power supply back in.
8. Attach the top cover.
9. For the last steps here, you'll need to manually advance the softener just to check for leaks. Hold the Recharge button until you hear the motor turn on, then let go. You'll see ‘Recharge Now’ or ‘Recharging’ flashing on the screen.
10. Go ahead and press the Recharge button once to advance to the next cycle. Repeat this each time the motor stops until the flashing recharge indicator on the screen disappears, and the home screen returns. You're done! Great job!
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