Eheim leaking while running

[deeda]

I'm sorry you are still having problems with this. I found that when I tried to reinstall the pump/primer assembly as per the repair instructions, I had problems pinching the o-ring. So what I did after dis-assembling the unit, I removed the integral output tube from the pump head by sliding it up & out of the pump head (see photo)

This allowed me to install the new o-ring on the pump/primer assy., lube it well and then re-install it from the top of the filter housing rather than from the bottom as called for in the repair instructions. Just push it in far enough so that the integral output tube lines up properly before you snap it back into the assy.

There is a small lip or ridge in the housing that can cause the o-ring to be pinched. It was much easier to re-assemble without pinching if you did it my way.

Also, the 'old' Eheim lube you have should be perfectly fine to use. I just used a lot of it to make sure the o-ring was greased up well. BTW, make sure the o-ring isn't twisted when you install it in the pump/primer assy. groove. It has a preformed shape that should be maintained when you install it in the groove. Make sure it is installed in the groove closest to the integral output tube. In other words, the groove that is the farthest away from the motor and electrical cord.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted on what you find out.

 

[DaveB]

I didn't realize I could take that piece off. That's good, because it actually pinched my finger twice while I was trying to hold the ring in place to avoid pinching. I've got a cut today because of it. More importantly, I didn't know that it mattered whether I rolled it around at all when putting it on (likely). I don't think I had a pinching problem but it's definitely possible, so I'll give that a shot. I picked up a tub of vaseline today because the tube of Eheim stuff is gone, so I'm ready to try again after I get back from the gym tonight. Thanks for posting the photos.

After doing this twice so far, I am finding the hardest part to be the re-assembly. My grip on the screwdriver is awful after getting my hands all gunked up with the vaseline!

 

[deeda]

That output tube needs a little bit of wiggling & prying to get out. I was a bit worried cause I tend to break things but the boyfriend gave me an assist. I was actually able to catch it when it finally popped out of its slot.

I also kept a dry rag handy to wipe my hands to be able to re-assemble the parts. Plastic parts & lubrication makes stuff very hard to hold onto.

 

[DaveB]

I just came home from the gym to a flood... I was smart enough to remember to unplug it before I left (I just have a sponge filter running in the meantime) but not quite smart enough to remember that it still has a siphon and would keep leaking if I didn't shut the flow off. Whoops. Not enough water to drip down to the downstairs neighbors, I hope, but enough that now I'm going to be worried about the integrity of the stand since it seeped through for the 2nd time. Time to disassemble the thing a third time and give this another try...

 

[DaveB]

I pulled the thing off like you mentioned, that's very nice... It's pretty much impossible for it to kink when you insert it that way because there's no gap on the other side.

I took the new black O ring off and can see a spot where it definitely kinked before. I don't know if this kills the integrity of it. In case it does, I actually put the original red one back. Then I lubed the crap out of it and the whole circular area. Went in nice and smoothly. I also lubed the external squarish gasket too, not sure if that matters or not - I get streams through the corner clips when I tip the unit so I assume some leaks through there.

Hopefully that'll be enough. Before I did the switch it had been leak-free for a while so I'm hoping the old O ring is still OK (it looked fine, wasn't too stretchy or damaged or anything). If not, do you think that the new one is ruined? It's still round, just has a spot where you can notice that it was kinked... it's subtle, you only see it if you're looking. I'll try to get a photo.

 

[DaveB]

24 hours, no leak at all! I guess I'll just keep the new O ring for later.

 

[deeda]

I'm glad the fix is working for you. I think the new o-ring you have should still be OK so I would hold onto it.

The only time I use my primer button is if I have to drain the hoses to the tank & they need to be re primed. And sometimes I just suck on the end of the QD & dispense the water into a pail rather than worry about that damn primer o-ring leaking again. Though I am getting very comfortable taking the filter apart multiple times to tweak that o-ring. The more I know about my filters, the easier it is to troubleshoot problems and improve performance.