Culligan Sediment Water Filter - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Here are instruction to remove the filter housing. This is from my tips posting. Culligan filter housings are just Pentek/Pentair water filter housings and these tips apply to virtually any filter housing. Frequently whole house filters can be very difficult to remove. The canisters become almost impossible to loosen, even after pressing the pressure relief valve and using a housing wrench. The most common reasons for this are the housing was put back on with the housing wrench, debris in the housing threads and a bad pressure relief valve.How to remove a stuck filter housing.1. Turn off the incoming water. 2. By-Pass the Softener3. Go to the nearest cold water faucet, open it and let the water run until pressure drops significantly.4. Turn the water off at outlet of filter (If housing has shutoff on top off head, turn this off now).5. Press and hold the pressure relief button to relieve pressure further.6. Use filter wrench to unscrew housing (If it still won't loosen repeat steps 2-5).7. After removing, clean housing thoroughly, make sure threads are clean on filter bowl and housing head. Lubricate threads of housing and head with plumbers faucet lube or silicone. 8. Clean and lubricate the O-Ring (replace the O-ring every couple years or if housing leaks after screwing back on). It helps to flip the O-Ring over a couple times per year. 9. Replace the cartridge filter and screw the housing back on. 10. Turn the incoming water on slowly while holding the pressure relief button down until all air is purged.11. Open outlet and let water run to cold water faucet until all air is purged.12. Put softener back in service.IMPORTANT! Only tighten the filter housing by HAND! NEVER use the housing wrench to tighten the housing. I hope these tips help you with the angst of removing stubborn filter housings.RJ

Usually, an E1 error code means the circuit board is bad. Try unplugging the unit for 5 minutes. Upon plugging it back in, if it does not reset itself, that means you need a new board. It is really easy to replace ( just a few wires) and will cost around $160.

Your best course of action is to contact Culligan here:

http://www.culligan-store.com/contact.asp

what does c5 mean? I can't get it off the digital face and had to by pass to shut off.

I have seen salt attack aluminum like that but nowhere else

I have the same problem. Did you ever figure it out?

By-pass the softener, unplug the control for two minutes, plug back in, put unit back in service (return by-pass to normal position). If unit continues run it has a bad seal pack assembly in the valve and it would need to be replaced. Or if it is stuck in backwash cycle this may home out the board and return valve to service position. If neither works you will need to call for service.RJH2O

Cleaning injectors is a process best left to a professional with a bench setup to properly flow and clean them. In a pinch for a low cost short term fix you can do the following:1. Remove the + battery terminal.2. Remove the fuel rail retaining bolts and the injectors will pull out of their seat in the head.3. Remove the injector plug and simply pull them out. Look into the input side and you should be able to see if it is relatively clean. Sometimes they are completely clogged on older vehicles.4. Use Seafoam injector cleaner and spray into the input while pulsing the nozzle in and out until it is clear. Also spray some into the nozzle end.5. Repeat for all injectors, let them sit for an hour to 24 hours, then repeat the cleaning with the injector cleaner to force out any residual.6. You can also energize the relay with 12V and spray through the nozzle, but this is difficult without having a pressurized system.7. Reinstall (preferably with new O-rings) and enjoy. I did this recently on my son's 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage due to 2 cylinders not firing at all and it runs like a champ. Cost me $10.99 from Autozone. You should also replace the fuel filter at this time.

Usually this is because iron/sediment has built up under the button up in the head of the housing. There is a spring that holds the button closed. If you can look up inside the head (with filter housing off) you will see a phillips head screw. Remove the screw and the spring and button come out. Clean the area thoroughly and lubricate lightly with silicone lube. Re-install and test to see if still leaking. If so you can try getting a new spring at hardware or replace the entire housing.RJ

Salt bridging can occur in any water softener "salt tank". A salt bridge occurs when a hard crust of salt develops across the salt tank when the salt wicks up moisture. The salt does not fall down in the salt tank in between regenerations and a "bridge" occurs. It may look like the salt tank is full but there will be a hollow area at the bottom of the salt tank and not enough salt to develop the proper brine for regeneration of softener. This generally happens when the salt tank is a least 1/2 full of salt. If the system has a separate salt tank, shaking the tank will break the bridge usually. Gently poking a stick at the bridge can break it up also but can damage the salt grid if you poke the stick too far down in the salt tank. Certain salts, such as pellet salt are highly prone to this problem. Using Dura Cube, Hardi Cube or Solar salt will greatly reduce the chance of bridging. Any time a salt bridge occurs it will take 3 regenerations of the water softener (in 24 hrs), after fixing it, to regain the reserve capacity and totally soft water.RJ

You have either a bad board or bad transformer. You would need to call service.RJ

Here is a the link for the MK 89 Use and Care Guidehttp://www.isingsculligan.com/manuals/Mark89-812%287-97%2900881597.pdfIf you are looking for a parts manual that may be almost impossible as they are very protected.RJ

It depends on which hose you are referring to. If you are referring to the DRAIN it may have come off by the softener valve it goes back on the drain connection on the side of the valve (use a hose clamp). If it came off by where the softener drains it goes back into wherever the softener was draining (laundry tub, standpipe trap, floor drain)? If the hose came off by the connection for the salt tank it should be replaced. If you don't know, unplug the softener for now or it may flood again and call your local dealer.RJRJ

1. Turn the incoming water off. 2. Open closest cold water faucet, let it run until no water. 3. Turn off outlet valve after filter. 4. Hold down red pressure relief button, until no water. 5. Unscrew filter bowl with filter bowl wrench (if you have one). If this does not work repeat steps 1-5 and turn the water off at well tank or water meter. Never tighten pre-filter with wrench, changethe o-ring every year and lubricate the o-ring every time filter is changed.RJ

The eductor assembly is plugged or the refill restrictor in top of float assembly is plugged. The eductor/injector draws the brine in during regeneration. These need to be cleaned to remove any oxidized iron or sediment . Do you have your owners manual for your Water Gard system?RJ

The filter housing will have either a shut off valve before and after the housing or a valve on top of the housing that turns (Black).Shutoffs before and after.1. Turn both valves off2. Push the "red button" on top of filter housing and hold to relieve the pressure off housing.3. Unscrew housing to the left (lefty loosey, Righty tighty) You should have a housing wrench. 4. Remove filter, clean housing, lubricate the o-ring with silicone lubricant.5. Replace filter, Screw housing back on (Hand tighten only)6. Open inlet valve (slightly) while holding down the "red button" to relieve air in housing.7. Open inlet and outlet valves and you are back in business.PS if the housing is very difficult to remove.1. Shut off inlet valve2. Open the nearest cold water faucet and let it run until no water3. Shut off outlet and repeat procedure as aboveGood Luck, RJ5.

There may be water leaking from one of the ports in the valve where solenoid valves are. These valves are also notorious for developing cracks overtime. Run the unit through a manual regeneration and observe the connection where drain line connects and pull the cover off the front too observe if any leaks are coming from around the solenoid valves.H2oservices

Always turn to the left to loosen, right to tighten (righty tighty, lefty loosey). Look at the tips section for loosening stubborn filter housings.
RJ

The Culliagan manual does not specify clockwise/counterclockwise, but what that means is its
implied to be counterclockwise. If you're using the "Big Blue HD-950" filter housing, then
you'll also want the Culligan SW-3 Filter Housing Wrench. But a HUGE pair of Channellock pliers
would also work (while leaving behind a few teeth marks in the plastic housing).
reference:
https://www.filtersfast.com/P-Culligan-HD950-Water-Filter-Housing.asp

It normally is under pressure. There is a "check ball" in the tube to prevent water from coming out of the tube in service. The feed tube has to be flooded with water in service position so when system goes in to draw cycle vacuum is created in the tube to draw bleach. You may have a plugged eductor assembly or feed tube may be restricted.
RJ