8 yr old kenmore softener - not softening - ran diagnostics seems fine,
water in brine tank, put in brining mode, unplugged and too 6 hrs for
about 18 inches of water to drain off. Cleaned everything, greased
caskets, checked resin tank, resin seemed fine, but tank was full of
freezing cold water. We only have unit hooked to hot water heater. Any
suggestions where to go from here?
-------------------------------------




##-----------------------------------------------##
Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.home.repair - 342259 messages and counting!
##-----------------------------------------------##

lclmbo10 wrote:
8 yr old kenmore softener - not softening - ran diagnostics seems fine,
water in brine tank, put in brining mode, unplugged and too 6 hrs for
about 18 inches of water to drain off. Cleaned everything, greased
caskets, checked resin tank, resin seemed fine, but tank was full of
freezing cold water. We only have unit hooked to hot water heater. Any
suggestions where to go from here?
-------------------------------------




##-----------------------------------------------##
Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.home.repair - 342259 messages and counting!
##-----------------------------------------------##
Hi,
What did you clean? Took apart control head? Apparently it is not
sucking up the brine water in recharging mode. I had to buy a rebuild
kit from Sears and rebuild control head. Mine is over 10 years old.

On 25 Feb 2009 13:50:41 GMT, (lclmbo10)
wrote:


8 yr old kenmore softener - not softening - ran diagnostics seems fine,
water in brine tank, put in brining mode, unplugged and too 6 hrs for
about 18 inches of water to drain off. Cleaned everything, greased
caskets, checked resin tank, resin seemed fine, but tank was full of
freezing cold water. We only have unit hooked to hot water heater. Any
suggestions where to go from here?
-------------------------------------

A venturi of some sort, normally removable creates the vacuum that
draws the brine through the system. Have you cleaned this venturi and
any strainer that may also be removable and cleanable in the valve?

Additionally at the bottom of the brine pick up tube there should be a
strainer that may be plugged. Is the bottom of the brine tank caked
with solid salt or dirt?

Is the vacuum line ( brine line) sealed so that it can keep a vacuum?

Tony Hwang wrote:

Apparently it is not
sucking up the brine water in recharging mode.

My experience with Kenmore softeners (admitedly on a sample size of 1) is that
the siphon valve wears out. It's a rubber like disc with a very small water
path. Surprised the heck out of me that they would make a part so subject to
wear in such a soft material, but there you go.

If you very carefully take the siphon valve assembly apart - you'll need the
parts drawing, but it's to the left of the timer/main valve and clean/replace
that disc, you may get the unit working again.

"lclmbo10" wrote in message
m...

8 yr old kenmore softener - not softening - ran diagnostics seems fine,
water in brine tank, put in brining mode, unplugged and too 6 hrs for
about 18 inches of water to drain off. Cleaned everything, greased
caskets, checked resin tank, resin seemed fine, but tank was full of
freezing cold water. We only have unit hooked to hot water heater. Any
suggestions where to go from here?

If it's not sucking in brine, then you probably need to buy a new rotor disc
and seal kit. That's how I fixed mine when it wouldn't draw in brine. Works
fine now. Either get the parts from Sears, or I have had great service from
http://www.softenerparts.zoovy.com/category/2600.sears/