I have a Kenmore 625.3485400 Super Capacity Genius water softener that is probably about 7 years old. The salt tank is filling up with water so something must be clogged or broken. I unplugged it and turned the bypass valve on so that no more water goes through the softener. Can anyone suggest some steps I might take to determine the source of this problem and perhaps even to rectify it?
Thanks in advance!

 

From what I hear the most frequent cause is the rotaing disc and it's seal leaking. But then I don't service that brand, so check the drain line for kinks or blockage along with the eductor and loose birne line fittings.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

 

Also check the Nozzle and Venturi. They could be dirty, defective or not seated properly. Also the rubber flow plug in the venturi plate can get plugged with deposits or grit.

You must not have the Kenmore Owner's manual for this softener. I would order one from Sears because they explain how to do troubleshooting (with diagrams).

 

The GE unit uses the same mechanism as the Kenmore 625.34 series units. I am having the same problem where there is a small continuous leak in the head unit that is causing water to slowly fill the brine tank. (It then leaks out the overflow tube and goes down the drain). I have followed the Kenmore troubleshooting web site (which is excellent, by the way) and it says that everything is fine - the timer triggers the right processes at the right time, (and indeed, if I fill the tank with fresh salt and run through a regen cycle, I do have soft water until the next regen).

I am assuming that there is some rubber seal somewhere that needs to be replaced - is there such as thing as a "rebuild kit" (like with carberators) where you get all the frequently replaced bits in a single kit?

The GE Manual

Kenmore Troubleshooting animation

Thanks in advance for any help that anyone can offer.

 

Are you referring to #108 in this picture? For $50 for the kit, I'd like to be pretty sure...

Brent

 

Yes, 108 and the gasket under it, not the oring but the next piece below it. It is a circle with a cross inside it with a side part off to the right. And they get $50 for that! many of the guys I sell to tell me they buy those parts and then a few weeks/months later they have another problem like the disc and gasket again or the circuit board. How old in your softener?

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

 

It is about five years old. $300 at Costco.

 

That fits what I've been saying, 3-6 years. Now your water heater, clothes etc. are loaded up with scale and hardwater curd and probably have been for some time.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

 

Thanks for this info Gary.

 

Other causes are: lose brine line/system air/suction leaks, a blocked/kinked drain line or inadequate water pressure or the drain line is too long for the DLFC (drain line flow control) used in the softener.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2