Leak on Rena Filstar Xp-3

125gJoe

125gJoe

2009 VMAX
Jul 6, 2002
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I'm sure at some time or another most all products will fail, or at least there's a few out there that do fail.

One of my Xp-3's developed a leak where the power cord exits the filter. Rather than mess with it, as it didn't look accessible at that area, I threw it out.

Hope no one else has this problem.
 
You probably could salvage it for parts instead of tossing it. I'd be happy to take it off your hands if you still have it around. I'd even give you $20 +shipping for it . I have 3 rena filstars so far. It wouldn't hurt me to have some parts ready for when I need them.
 
Sorry, but that Filstar Xp-3 is 'history'...
Maybe you could have ripped into it and found the problem. (?)
 
Joe, tell me you looked into this more than what it seems! Where the power cord exits the head is just a hole in the plastic! The cord runs into the motor(which is sealed) inside the head unit. There are four screws (one under each clip that holds the head on) that hold the two pieces of the head unit together. IF the o-rings on the inlet/outlet tubes (in the quick disconnect) aren't sealed and leak, that water flows into the head unit (which is hollow except for the sealed motor) and the lowest place for it to leak from is where the power cord is. I hope you didn't toss it when all it needed was a little lube on the 0-rings! :(
Yes, I had it happen to me. I've also taken the head apart several times just to get excess water out (from filling the body of the filter too much and then placing the head on).
Sorry I didn't catch your post b4!
 
I have to agree. I have been looking for a post somewhere that said just that. That if the o-ring that holds in the power cord dries out, then a little water will leak from there. Sorry I could not find the post but I'll keep looking .
 
Joe I ended up with the exact same problem with my XP3 after some media maintenance. At the AP web site it says a common cause of this is that the quick connect block is not properly reconnected to the filter body. After I drained the power head and reconnected the quick connect block securely with no tension on the lines, it stopped leaking and hasn’t again since.

From AP web site.

“WATER IS LEAKING FROM WHERE THE POWER CORD PASSES OUT OF THE MOTOR HOUSING: This problem occurs when water is able to squeeze past the seals at the bottom of the Quick-Disconnect block and enter the hollow spaces in the motor housing. From there the water runs down the cord. This problem is usually caused by the Quick-Disconnect not being properly seated on the motor housing.
1. If the filter sits more than 55” below the water surface, go to step 3 and raise the filter by placing it on a sturdy level platform. Replace the motor housing and reconnect the hoses by gently pushing the quick release block back into place and pushing the lever down.
a. Allow 3 minutes for the canister to fill with water then plug the unit in and go on to step 2. If it is not more then 55” (140 cm) below the water level go on to the next step.
2. Check the hoses and make sure they have not been cut too short or stretched too far, creating tension on the quick release block. If there is tension on the quick release block go on to Step #3.
3. Checking the Unit
a. Unplug the power chord from the electrical outlet.
b. Release the hoses by lifting up the quick release valve and pulling up gently on the valve block
c. Remove the motor housing and empty out the water in the canister. You may want to remove the motor housing over a sink so as not to spill any water on the floor.
d. Tip the motor housing so that the power cord pass-through hole is pointing down into the sink. Allow any water trapped in the housing to drain out.
e. If the hoses have been cut too short, call our Tech Services line to find out how to obtain new tubing. If they have not been cut short go on to the Step 3-G.
f. If the hoses are being stretched, reposition the filter and/or inlet and outlet pipes to relieve the tension placed on the quick release block.
g. Replace the motor housing and reconnect the hoses by gently pushing the quick release block back into place and pushing the lever down. Allow 3 minutes for the canister to fill with water then plug the unit back in.
h. Monitor the unit carefully. If it begins to leak from the power cord pass-through hole again, unplug the filter, lift up on the quick release lever, and call the Tech Services line.”
 
Thanks all!

I printed out the article.......
 
So... This thread is nearly 16 years old. But I have this same filter, now probably about 20 years old, and have came home from work on Friday to discover the top of the filter leaking, apparently where the power cord comes out. Since it's about 20 years old, I assumed it just needed to be replaced, and I ordered a Fluval 407, since the Amazon reviews of the newer version of this Filstar filter are not good. I've already replaced the impeller a couple times, but otherwise this filter has worked well for me.

Now I'm thinking perhaps I need to spend some more time with it and see if I can get it working reliably again, or if it's not worth bothering with at this point. My stand appears to be made out of particle board, so I don't want to take any unnecessary risks.
 
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