Mike, thanks for making this video. My unit is identical to yours and I've had to do a lot of work on it lately. A couple of notes: @2:00, you're missing the flow plug in the nozzle and venturi disk. This goes in to the round recess pictured at about 2 o'clock as shown. This recess is also seen clearly at 5:04. This 0.1 gpm flow plug is important as it controls the flow of feed water into the venturi and will impact how quickly the brine is pulled from the brine well and pushed into the resin tank. This is in the venturi circuit, and I assume that not having the flow plug results in the brine flowing too fast. The manual says that brine flow should be at a very slow rate to get the best cleaning with the least salt. Since the unit will go from brining to brine rinse as soon as the brine valve in the float assembly closes, I assume that yours is quickly pulling all the brine at a much higher rate, and then rinsing the resin bed for a longer period of time until the controller determines to move on to backwash. I conclude this because the brine and brine rinse cycles vary relative to fill cycle. The controller would be programmed to assume that the flow would be 0.16 gpm during brine and 0.11 gpm during brine rinse, per the manual. Not having the flow plug would seem to mean its not working as designed. Along these same lines, the washer/o-ring you refer to at 3:30 is also a flow plug. This one is set to 0.3 gpm and controls the flow of the water into the brine tank during fill cycle, as well as brine flowing back out during the brining cycle. Edit: as someone else mentioned, the plastic screen retainer/support shown at 5:26 is not aligned with the orientation pin in the housing. I assume that yours leaked until you corrected the orientation. I hope this makes sense. Thanks again for your video.
I have a Kinetico. It is a lot harder to clean than the Kenmore. When I need a new one I will be purchasing a Kenmore, or Whirlpool water softener. Thanks for making the video.
After owning a couple of these, I've found you can unscrew the siphon hose on the venturi (@12 o'clock in this video), and pull the plastic retaining clip attaching the venturi to the valve unit (@ 6'oclock in the video). Then, the entire venturi pulls off easily. There will be two o-rings on the end that goes into the valve block, so don't lose those. Then you can take the venturi back to a table or workbench to clean it, and not worry about losing small screens or jets inside the softener. (Also saving your back a bit too.) You may need a channel-lock pliers to remove the siphon tube and needle-nose pliers to pull the clip.
Can you explain why I have a big leak after putting the assembly back into place? Both o rings are on the bottom and the clip is put back on. Water is spewing from that connection
At 5.26 when you put the plastic retainer and O ring back you did not align the registration mark. Off camera did it leak or have you checked it out since to see if you broke anything?
Mike I know this is an older video, but my problem is I replaced the venturi assembly with a new one and I am getting a slow dripping out the drain hose from the venturi assembly. Took that one off and cleaned it totally, same dripping problem.
Great video! Getting ready to try the brine tank cleaning step. My softener won't drain so it's about halfway full of water, do u think I need to drain it before performing this step?
No-The Rust Out is added for the regeneration of the unit. Once the regeneration is done, the solution is drained out, so it won't go through the plumbing.
Hi Mike, I found resin beads in my washing machine filter. It seems they are leaking out of my Kenmore Water Softener. ANy suggestions for fixing this? thanks
When I regenerate my Kenmore water softener doesn't completely empty. The water level rises when regenerating, but doesn't empty as much as it should. It When the salt level gets down to 3 or 4, it leaves an inch or two of water above the salt level, which I manually empty before regenerating again. That's not normal, is it?
No the water level shouldn’t be that high although you will have a small amount of water in the tank. In this video at six minutes and 30 seconds it shows the brine well with a tube going to the bottom of it. Pull this tube out and disassemble the parts at the bottom and clean them and reassemble it. It’s not difficult. Then regenerate the unit. Hope that helps!
Mike, thanks for making this video. My unit is identical to yours and I've had to do a lot of work on it lately. A couple of notes:
@2:00, you're missing the flow plug in the nozzle and venturi disk. This goes in to the round recess pictured at about 2 o'clock as shown. This recess is also seen clearly at 5:04. This 0.1 gpm flow plug is important as it controls the flow of feed water into the venturi and will impact how quickly the brine is pulled from the brine well and pushed into the resin tank. This is in the venturi circuit, and I assume that not having the flow plug results in the brine flowing too fast. The manual says that brine flow should be at a very slow rate to get the best cleaning with the least salt. Since the unit will go from brining to brine rinse as soon as the brine valve in the float assembly closes, I assume that yours is quickly pulling all the brine at a much higher rate, and then rinsing the resin bed for a longer period of time until the controller determines to move on to backwash. I conclude this because the brine and brine rinse cycles vary relative to fill cycle. The controller would be programmed to assume that the flow would be 0.16 gpm during brine and 0.11 gpm during brine rinse, per the manual. Not having the flow plug would seem to mean its not working as designed.
Along these same lines, the washer/o-ring you refer to at 3:30 is also a flow plug. This one is set to 0.3 gpm and controls the flow of the water into the brine tank during fill cycle, as well as brine flowing back out during the brining cycle.
Edit: as someone else mentioned, the plastic screen retainer/support shown at 5:26 is not aligned with the orientation pin in the housing. I assume that yours leaked until you corrected the orientation.
I hope this makes sense. Thanks again for your video.
Thank you for this video. It helped me make sure I put it back together in the right order (and right side up).
Glad it helped you!
Awesome instructions! Thanks for sharing!!!
You're Welcome!
Great easy to follow instructions. Don’t let your wife see what you use to mix the iron out.
LOL that's funny Andrew!
I have a Kinetico. It is a lot harder to clean than the Kenmore. When I need a new one I will be purchasing a Kenmore, or Whirlpool water softener. Thanks for making the video.
You're Welcome!
After owning a couple of these, I've found you can unscrew the siphon hose on the venturi (@12 o'clock in this video), and pull the plastic retaining clip attaching the venturi to the valve unit (@ 6'oclock in the video). Then, the entire venturi pulls off easily. There will be two o-rings on the end that goes into the valve block, so don't lose those.
Then you can take the venturi back to a table or workbench to clean it, and not worry about losing small screens or jets inside the softener. (Also saving your back a bit too.)
You may need a channel-lock pliers to remove the siphon tube and needle-nose pliers to pull the clip.
Good tip!
Can you explain why I have a big leak after putting the assembly back into place? Both o rings are on the bottom and the clip is put back on. Water is spewing from that connection
At 5.26 when you put the plastic retainer and O ring back you did not align the registration mark. Off camera did it leak or have you checked it out since to see if you broke anything?
Mike I know this is an older video, but my problem is I replaced the venturi assembly with a new one and I am getting a slow dripping out the drain hose from the venturi assembly. Took that one off and cleaned it totally, same dripping problem.
Great video! Getting ready to try the brine tank cleaning step. My softener won't drain so it's about halfway full of water, do u think I need to drain it before performing this step?
It wouldn't hurt to drain it!
Mike Klime
After you regenerated with the iron out did you add salt, or do another regen?
Normally I would just add salt, but I have had it where I had to do multiple iron out treatments just to get good pressure. Then I added salt
Thank you! Very useful information. I had no idea this was needed. Do you ever clean the salt tank? If so, how often?
I've not cleaned the tank. It probably wouldn't hurt, but just never got around to it.
@@MikeKlimek I'm if I'm
My cap isn't going back on? I turn it and it just pops, I keep trying to line it up but it seems to be having difficult time going down the threads
Thank you for this.
Welcome!
How often should you clean the parts?
You should service it once a year!
While adding the rust out then reg. Is thiswater flowing into the hot water tank?
No-The Rust Out is added for the regeneration of the unit. Once the regeneration is done, the solution is drained out, so it won't go through the plumbing.
Do I need to turn bypass on?
Yes you do
Great in detail (:
Thanks!
Is it necessary to clean the injector? I’m not even sure where it is.
Thanks.
Hi Mike, I found resin beads in my washing machine filter. It seems they are leaking out of my Kenmore Water Softener. ANy suggestions for fixing this? thanks
Sorry to hear that! I would immediately bypass your water softener and go shopping for a new one. Time to replace it.
When I regenerate my Kenmore water softener doesn't completely empty. The water level rises when regenerating, but doesn't empty as much as it should. It When the salt level gets down to 3 or 4, it leaves an inch or two of water above the salt level, which I manually empty before regenerating again. That's not normal, is it?
No the water level shouldn’t be that high although you will have a small amount of water in the tank. In this video at six minutes and 30 seconds it shows the brine well with a tube going to the bottom of it. Pull this tube out and disassemble the parts at the bottom and clean them and reassemble it. It’s not difficult. Then regenerate the unit. Hope that helps!
@@MikeKlimek Thank you I will try it.
I am having trouble removing the cap - any suggestions ?
I would be cautious using a tool, but you just need to get it started-go easy if you do this as the cap is plastic. Maybe try a rubber jar opener?
link to the first video????
When pressing the regen button for 3 to 5 seconds nothing happens.
Can you schedule a regen?
seem to have soft water in sink but after a shower hands feel like thy are coated with ?wax
dont need to turn bypass on to clean the venturi
Water Is coming from the bottom of my Ultra Soft 100 unit
The bottom of the controls or the bottom of the tank?
Sorry the bottom of the tank
Not a lot of options here. Probably need a new tank/softener@@carloscampbell3055
Thanks for watching! Leave a comment or question below!