PacFab Challenger pool pump leaking at band clamp - SOLVED

If you have replaced parts and still have a leak at the band clamp of your PacFab Challenger pump, then watch this video.

[@michaelknight3314]

Thank you for Real info Your post is better than the 50 others that never addressed the problem You are appreciated

[@levileatherman2055]

Just went through this only I put my square ring in flat and it should be sticking out not flat.

[@lhiob22]

Lauren this was great as the same thing happened to me. The only problem is you did not tell us where you can actually get the square o-rings from. I had the same thing happen. My diffuser o ring is also square and they sent the wrong one for that too. not even close to right.

[@laurencmueller5963]

Thanks, Ihiob22. It seems that the manufacturer changed the design of the o-ring from round to square but kept the same part number. I ended up just calling into several pool supply house till I found one that verified the shape over the phone with me.

[@Lensvoodoo]

I was able to order one on e-bay part"355329 O-506." It has not arrived yet, so I cannot report fitment. If you have the round cross section gasket and it is leaking, try this. Split the pump at the band clamp. Remove the round cross section gasket and clean and lubricate with the proper pool stuff. thoroughly clean the groove the gasket sits in, and put a thin smear of lubricant on the flat mating surface(motor side). The groove has a few "fins" that are there to hold the gasket in when you mate the surfaces. Go to those points and push the gasket firmly down so that it does not bulge and is level with the rest of the gasket. The pressure of the band clamp is sometimes not enough to level the surface and it will leak. It worked for me and I was in the exact same boat. If you cannot get it to fit evenly, consider removing/reducing the fins. Cheers!

[@atxtrader8990]

Yup, I tried doing what you described (cleaning the channel thoroughly, putting a thin line of lubricant in the channel, and pushing down on the o-ring when seating it into the channel) before putting wet and dry side together with the band clamp - I still had a leak which was a trickle coming out the bottom of the band clamp. The correct fix is to use the square shaped o-ring, which, btw, pentair actually redesigned to make it square to make a better deal but they kept the same part number which is what leads to confusion when trying to buy the correct replacement o-ring.

[@Lensvoodoo]

@@atxtrader8990 10-4 on that. I got the part (square cross section gasket) but the round one has not been leaking after the re-install, and I'm going with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" routine for now, but have the square standing by. Of course when I got the pump working, the booster pump started leaking! Never ends....🐵

[@atxtrader8990]

@@Lensvoodoo btw, I'm Lauren, the original poster (just another account name). I'm glad your solution has worked and that you have the square gasket in case the round one fails. Yup, pool maintenance a never ending battle :)

[@Lensvoodoo]

@@atxtrader8990 you are a champion for posting the solve, and for heavens sake we need a good dunk in the pool here in Texas!