Water softener problem

Hello, I have a GE smart water water softener model GXSF39B. The unit quit using salt and the brine tank became half full with brine. I removed brine to about 5 inches from the bottom of the tank and followed the step by step instructions on how to clean the nozzle and venturi system on this unit. I then recharged the unit twice and it is still inop, can you please give me an idea on what to do next. The unit is two years old and I only have used potassium chloride in it.

 

Buckolink,
Did you ever find the answer to your issue? My softener, same model, is doing the same thing.

 

I called GE service help desk because my GE water softener (model 27B) is not brining properly (no salt being used and water is hard). They refered me to a sub-contractor to fix the problem. The sub-contractor stated the seal used in the pump to suck the brine solution into the tank is the likely culprit; he stated they have lots of calls to fix this problem and they have lots of seals on back order (GE can't keep up with orders from subs).

Has anyone issued a class action suite against GE? I have had my water softener for about 14 months and it is out of warranty.

I paid about $1,000 for a system that only worked for 14 months and the sub wants $232.00 to repair it.

 

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY SOFTENER , HAS ENYONE GOTEN TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS ISSUE ? ARE THESE THINGS JUST A PEICE OF JUNK ?
IM READY TO JUST BUY NEW RATHER THAN SPEND MONEY ON THIS UNIT.

 

Actually a moderator should move this thread to the "Filters and Conditioner" Forum. Perple who hang out in that forum repair water softeners for a living.

http://forum.doityourself.com/forumd...s=&forumid=139

 

I have the same water softener. GE Model GXSF39B. I purchased mine in Feburary 2002. I had it repaired in November 2003. It is not working again. I do not want to spend another 150 top 200 dollars on this thing. I am not opposed to reairing this thing on my own but I do not know what parts to purchase. GE does not have any info on their site saying that this model has a problem but we all know it does. You would think that hey would put out a white paper or something to help.

 

I had a problem like this with my old softener. It was a clogged filter on the tube that ran down inside the unit (it ran to the ottom of the salt tank and sucked up the brine into the venturi.)

Anyway I ended up replacing the softener soon after as it was internally clogged. Found that this was due to the use of galvanized well piping disolving due to minerals in the ground water (like a gray goo that clogged the copper piping and water pump. Had to get a new well and water pump as well.)

My softener was only three years old at the time and had had proper service. You might look for some 'other' cause as to why it's clogging. Possibly dirt in brine?

 

While I am not familiar with the 39B model, the photo of 39E shows it is similar to Sears, Morton and Northstar models made by Ecowater and uses the same type of rotary valve and venturi system.

One execllent trouble shooting source is a kenmorewater.com and their interactive section for trouble shooting. Follow the steps for 'no brining' problem. The gasket in the venturi is quite critical for obtaining good suction during the brining stage. If it is the gasket that is causing the problem as the GE service person suggested, you can easily replace it. A good source for getting GE softener replacement parts is softenerparts.com. Even Sears or Northstar parts will work on these units.

If the problem is not the gasket, venturi or float, then you will have to remove the motor and open the valve and examine the rotor and seal assembly. Look for damaged seals or grooved rotor. Again, these parts are available from many sources and it is a do-it-yourself project. Good luck with solving the problem.

 

Since several on this thread have similar experiences with the 39B, I thought I'd inquire here first.

After dealing with on-again off-again performance, I recently replaced several parts of my venturi. Everything cycles but the brine suction never quite works and I've spent more hours fooling around than the unit is worth.

I am curious if I can just replace the control/head unit with a more reliable brand (suggestions welcome!) or if the opening on the 9x40 resin tank will only accept certain heads.

Thanks for any help/insights into this vexing problem.

 

Does it draw brine at all when you recycle it ?

 

The tank/valve interface on those models is non-standard.

There are adaptors available online to allow interfacing with standard controllers.
They work quite well and are relatively inexpensive.

The negative here is that the resins used in these GE disposables is pretty low x-linkage so I'd highly recommend replacing the resin with a high quality non-solvent resin of at least 8% x-linkage.

My experience with the GXSF39B has been very dissapointing. In the western states, most people are lucky to get more 5 years of life out of them.

I still don't understand why the "big box" retailers still try to play in the water improvement game. It's not like washing machines or refrigerators. There are way too many variables to affect performance and longevity.

 

Well, first, it is a relief to know this isn't just my problem ...

The only useful advice I see here that I haven't tried is to look for obstructions in the delivery line from the tank to the venturi system. I was heading there next but this thread confirms the logic. I am discouraged to see the poor success at solving this problem, though.

Thanks to all for entering your observations and frustrations.

 

Okay, success in getting this unit working again. For those who haven't junked their unit or put a bullet through the control head, here's what I did:
1. I took out the brine tube and disassembled the foot valve allowing access to screen (which was clean, by the way). I used gentle compressed air to back flush that of any obstructions.
2. I removed the venturi from the control head. I did not disassembe the venturi because, why would I?!? Already did that multiple times like many of you. Instead, I used a Q-tip to clean the female ports that the venturi attaches to. These were somewhat dirty with a rust film. I already have a prefilter in place prior to the softener system.
3. I disconnected the hose from the venturi and blew air through that to ensure no obstructions were present.
4. I put it all back together and it leaked like crazy from the venturi connection to the control head. Ah, lesson learned to place small O-rings on male fittings before connecting into female ports of control head as opposed to leaving in place in the female port. Also applied silicon lubricant to these O-rings.
5. Take two and the system cycled all the standing water out of the brine tank, did all the bells and whistles as supposed to, and I now have soft water again.

I hope this helps some of you folks that have similarly reached wits end. Thanks to "enigma-2" for sending me down the right critical thinking pathway.

 

Okay for those who still care and those who have quit laughing at my previous naive reported solution to the GE GXSF39B water softener problem, the problem is truly fixed this time.

Source of Problem: The seal-kit is not sufficient to affect the repair because the rotor disc surface is damaged. Mine was scratched into deep (relatively speaking) grooves. This apparently happens when lime build-up on the plastic center wear strip begins to abrade into the softer plastic surface of the disc.

Solution: Order both the seal-kit and a replacement rotor and disc. Reassemble according to instructions.

Maintenance: It may be a good idea to periodically service the internal workings to keep the lime build-up under control so you can extend the life of the rotor (wasn't cheap!).

Cost of repair: Parts, $130 and change; Mental anguish, priceless ...

 

Hey MN Mike D,
I have the same problem and am picking up the rotor, seal kit, and venturi/gasket tomorrow in Hopkins. Is it necessary to pull out the float assy? I'd rather not yank all the slat out if not reqd.
Thanks.

 

I had the same problem that most of you seem to be having with the brine stage not working. A plumber told me that the flow control in the venturi is really not needed and might be the problem. I removed it and everything is working fine. Good luck.