MP Series Wetside Guards Spinning Off

[WVReefJunkie]

I need help, my MP series powerheads wetside guards spin themselves off. I contacted Ecotech and they supplied new guards and o rings, but I am still having problems. The guards dont seem to have any resistance when the guards are spun into position.

 

[lapin]

They should have spring to them as you know.
Weird that all of them have the same issue at once.

 

[WVReefJunkie]

They should have spring to them as you know.
Weird that all of them have the same issue at once.

Spring to them in what way?

 

[Mical]

I have no problem with mine and I have both MP10s & Mp40s. Only thing initially strange about them is they're left handed thread (counter clockwise to tighten)

 

[lapin]

Spring to them in what way?

You should have to push down while turning to get them to go under the lock tabs

 

[saltwaterjunkie12]

one of my MP40's has the same issue. From time to time I find it on the other end of the tank in the sand. no rhyme or reason from what I can find.

 

[dadnjesse]

The o ring is supposed to snug it up when you twist them on.

 

[ca1ore]

Perhaps the tabs on the wetside frame are damaged.

 

[cilyjr]

The o ring is supposed to snug it up when you twist them on.

This. If the unit is older and the rubber o-ring has been sitting in the salt water for a long time the rubber begins to harden and becomes less effective. You can find an o-ring that will fit at the hardware store in most cases. I guess it depends on the hardware store

 

[reef_daddy]

Both my MP-10 and MP-40 are currently having the same issue. I contacted EchoTech and they said that the o-rings wear out over time. They sell replacement o-rings in their parts store for $2-$3 but the cheapest shipping they offer is around $10 for me. I'm going to see if I can find similar ones elsewhere.

 

[Billldg]

I agree with @ca1ore, maybe the base of the wetside it work out and not the guard. Their should be a little resistance when spinning them on.

 

[reef_daddy]

You're right, the issue is definitely in the base, not the guard. What's happening is the o-ring isn't putting any pressure against the guard any more. It's as if the o-ring has been under compression for so long that it's lost it's elasticity. I recently removed the o-ring and re-seated it lightly back into the top of the groove and was able to get the guard on snug, but a few weeks later the guard flew back off again.

It's like how your windshield wiper blades need to be replaced every few months after being pressed into the windshield for too long and the rubber hardens up.

 

[WVReefJunkie]

What helped me I needed to put more pressure to seat the guard in place. I was having this issue with new powerheads and after I replaced the orings. Once it is properly seated, there should be resistance on the guard to remove.