Very old Hayword Vari-Flow XL TM, Serial# 120D30. Water heavily coming out of backwash while in filtering positin. Handle has little resistance when shifting. Maybe the gasket? If so don't know which one to order, only have serial #. Also, will need instructions on dis-assembling, diagnosing and installing parts. Please advise. Thank you.

Reference your pressure gauge as the 12:00 position. Going clockwise-
12:00 is Filter, normal running position
2:00 is Waste, water goes from pool and exits the waste line, bypassing filter.
4:00 is Closed, used only when servicing equipment
6:00 is Backwash, reverses water through the filter and goes out the waste line.
8:00 is Recirculate, water bypasses filter and returns to pool.
10:00 is Rinse, water goes through filter and exits to waste line, used briefly after backwashing to clear sediment from filter.
Note that the "pointer," not the handle that you grab, indicates which setting you are on.

Backwash until water in the sight glass is clear, shut off the pump and change the valve setting to rinse, turn the pump on for a couple seconds and then back off, change the valve setting to filter and return to normal operation. NEVER move the valve handle while the pump is on.

John

The model number you give is for the multi port valve. Did you need the valve manual or the filter manual? Go to haywardnet.com for their full line and manuals. Here is the link for the SP0714 valve at their site. It is in PDF format...

I happen to have a copy of the users manual for this pool filter. These are the instructions for operating your filter.

1. Be sure correct amount of filter sand media is in tank and
that all connections have been made and are secure.
2. Depress Vari-Flo control valve handle and rotate to
BACKWASH* position. (To prevent damage to control valve
seal, always depress handle before turning.)
3. Prime and start pump according to pump instructions (be
sure all suction and return lines are open), allowing the filter
tank to fill with water.
WARNING: ALL SUCTION AND
DISCHARGE VALVES MUST BE OPEN WHEN
STARTING THE SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO
SO COULD CAUSE SEVERE PERSONAL
INJURY.
Once water flow is steady out the waste line, run the pump for
at least 2 minutes. The initial back-washing of the filter is
recommended to remove any impurities or fine sand particles
in the sand media.
4. Turn pump off and set valve to RINSE position. Start pump
and operate until water in sight glass is clear—about 1/2 to 1
minute. Turn pump off, set valve to FILTER position and
restart pump. Your filter is now operating in the normal filter
mode, filtering particles from the pool water.
5. Adjust pool suction and return valves to achieve desired
flow. Check system and filter for water leaks and tighten
connections, bolts, nuts, as required.
6. Note the initial pressure gauge reading when the filter is
clean. (It will vary from pool to pool depending upon the
pump and general piping system). As the filter removes dirt
and impurities from the pool water, the accumulation in the
filter will cause the pressure to rise and flow to diminish.
When the pressure gauge reading is 8-10 PSI (0.55-0.69
BAR) higher than the initial "clean" pressure you noted, it is
time to backwash (clean) the filter (see BACKWASH under
Filter Control Valve Functions.)

If the spider gasket in the vari-flo valve is no good, you will usually notice one of two problems.

1. Water leaking out backwash port while filter is operating.
2. Valve positions are really difficult to change.

The way to check this is if you are able to move one or two of the "spokes" in the gasket freely(out of the track it sits in) once the top of the valve is removed.

If so you need to replace. The gasket is usually held in with a silicone sealant. Once you remove the old gasket. You will need to scrape any remaining rubber from the track it sits in. I've found that a brass brush from a pluming supply store or home depot along with a flat head screwdriver is usually enough to do the removal.
I always used Permatex Blue RTV sealant on all valve jobs. It can be found at any auto parts store or sometimes Walmart. Follow the instructions for curing. Once cured the gasket is good as new.

SHUT OFF PUMP TAKE HANDEL AND MOVE TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS TO SEE IF THERE IS CHANGE THERE IS A WHEEL UMDER HANDLE THAT MAY BE OUT OF POSITION TRY A COUPLE OF ROTATIONS START PUMP AND THERE SHOULD BE A CHANGE NEVER TRY TO MOVE HANDLE WITH PUMP ON

it is not seated all the way try turnig to different positions several times if this does not work it probably sprocket wheel under handle assembly is bad or unseated make sure pump is off when changing positions

could possbly be a bad gasket on the vari-flow valve. When is the last time you backwashed?