Questions regarding Moto-Massage and Weir Gate

[10-79]

I recently purchased a 2005 Hot Spring Sovereign and I have two questions I'm hoping you guys can help me out with.

1) I knew prior to buying it that the Moto-Massage jet worked but did not go up and down.  I pulled the face plate off and can't detect any obvious damage to the jet assembly or air tube.  The tub is filled so maybe I'd see more if it was empty, but I was hoping not to drain all of the new water.  Any ideas on if I just need to replace the entire assembly?  And if so, does anyone have step by step directions?  I found just about everything on You-Tube except how to replace the Moto-massage.

2) While searching on You-Tube, I came across a video on changing out the Weir Gate.  I then realized mine is not working properly.  The gate does not drop down when the jets are on.  I actually held it down to see if that would effect the flow to the Moto-Massage, but that didn't help.  My questions is:  How do I know if I need an entire Weir assembly or just the gate?

Thanks in advance for your help!!

[Chas]

Go to your local HotSpring dealer and buy a Moto Massage Assembly. They come in different colors, but it doesn't matter: you can't see the thing whether it is running or not!

In the bag will be a set of instructions. Look at what comes in the bag, and use that along with the instructions to know what comes out of your spa, and what goes back in. Don't break the poor things back by over tightening: and do that tightening by grabbing it right at the base, NOT up a the end water comes out of.

The weir is no big deal: it is designed to skim the surface, and it does work. The one thing I like about having a working weir is this: if you do get some leaves or other floating stuff into the skimmer area, the weir pops back up when you shut down the jets and keeps that stuff from floating back out into the main part of the tub. But most of my customers just buy a little skimmer net if their weir gives up.

HTH

 

[hottubdan]

Need to address the obvious.  When you bought used tub, did you replace filters?  Clogged filters will restrict flow, preventing moto jet from going up and down.

[10-79]

Go to your local HotSpring dealer and buy a Moto Massage Assembly. They come in different colors, but it doesn't matter: you can't see the thing whether it is running or not!

In the bag will be a set of instructions. Look at what comes in the bag, and use that along with the instructions to know what comes out of your spa, and what goes back in. Don't break the poor things back by over tightening: and do that tightening by grabbing it right at the base, NOT up a the end water comes out of.

The weir is no big deal: it is designed to skim the surface, and it does work. The one thing I like about having a working weir is this: if you do get some leaves or other floating stuff into the skimmer area, the weir pops back up when you shut down the jets and keeps that stuff from floating back out into the main part of the tub. But most of my customers just buy a little skimmer net if their weir gives up.

HTH

 

Thanks for the reply Chas. It sounds like replacing the entire assembly is the safe bet and won't be too difficult to tackle on my own.

Regarding the Weir Gate.  I had read that if the gate doesn't drop when the jets are on there won't be enough water hitting the filter compartment and can effect the jet flow??  Is there any truth to that?  Thanks again!

[10-79]

Need to address the obvious.  When you bought used tub, did you replace filters?  Clogged filters will restrict flow, preventing moto jet from going up and down.

Yes, hottubdan, that was the first thing I did.  I almost tossed the used filters until I realized they were the tri-x ones.  Seller had a receipt showing they were two years old.  I sprayed them down with the hose, ran them through the dishwasher, soaked them in de-greaser and sprayed them again.  They came out looking almost new.  Thanks for your reply!

[Chas]

Regarding the Weir Gate.  I had read that if the gate doesn't drop when the jets are on there won't be enough water hitting the filter compartment and can effect the jet flow??  Is there any truth to that?  Thanks again!

Yes, that's true. If the weir sticks in the up position, you will want to slide it back down as you turn on the jets. If it sticks in the down position, leave it there. Just watch the water: if the water in the filter compartment drops so that the tops of the filters poke above the water, you need to shove the weir down.

That model has a "weir blade" which slides up and down in a frame. There are four 'bullets' which are pressed against the frame by springs. The entire frame can easily be removed by sliding the weir up, and finding a retainer 'key' in the center. Turn that key to free up the frame, and you can take the entire assembly out. Clean out the track area where the bullets ride up and down, and maybe even take it apart to see if the tips of the bullets are rough. I can get you any of these parts - they used to only offer the complete assembly, but I just looked it up and I have part numbers for individual parts.

I'll look on my shelf later today when I get to the shop to see if I happen to have one on hand - complete. Believe me, if I do, I don't want to hang on to it, and would be happy to sell it at garage sale prices.

 

[10-79]

Regarding the Weir Gate.  I had read that if the gate doesn't drop when the jets are on there won't be enough water hitting the filter compartment and can effect the jet flow??  Is there any truth to that?  Thanks again!

Yes, that's true. If the weir sticks in the up position, you will want to slide it back down as you turn on the jets. If it sticks in the down position, leave it there. Just watch the water: if the water in the filter compartment drops so that the tops of the filters poke above the water, you need to shove the weir down.

That model has a "weir blade" which slides up and down in a frame. There are four 'bullets' which are pressed against the frame by springs. The entire frame can easily be removed by sliding the weir up, and finding a retainer 'key' in the center. Turn that key to free up the frame, and you can take the entire assembly out. Clean out the track area where the bullets ride up and down, and maybe even take it apart to see if the tips of the bullets are rough. I can get you any of these parts - they used to only offer the complete assembly, but I just looked it up and I have part numbers for individual parts.

I'll look on my shelf later today when I get to the shop to see if I happen to have one on hand - complete. Believe me, if I do, I don't want to hang on to it, and would be happy to sell it at garage sale prices.

 

Thanks for all of the input, Chas.  I will see if I can correct the issue with the directions you've provided and if that doesn't help and you have one on your shelf, I'd definitely be interested.

[10-79]

Regarding the Weir Gate.  I had read that if the gate doesn't drop when the jets are on there won't be enough water hitting the filter compartment and can effect the jet flow??  Is there any truth to that?  Thanks again!

Yes, that's true. If the weir sticks in the up position, you will want to slide it back down as you turn on the jets. If it sticks in the down position, leave it there. Just watch the water: if the water in the filter compartment drops so that the tops of the filters poke above the water, you need to shove the weir down.

That model has a "weir blade" which slides up and down in a frame. There are four 'bullets' which are pressed against the frame by springs. The entire frame can easily be removed by sliding the weir up, and finding a retainer 'key' in the center. Turn that key to free up the frame, and you can take the entire assembly out. Clean out the track area where the bullets ride up and down, and maybe even take it apart to see if the tips of the bullets are rough. I can get you any of these parts - they used to only offer the complete assembly, but I just looked it up and I have part numbers for individual parts.

I'll look on my shelf later today when I get to the shop to see if I happen to have one on hand - complete. Believe me, if I do, I don't want to hang on to it, and would be happy to sell it at garage sale prices.

 

Thanks for all of the input, Chas.  I will see if I can correct the issue with the directions you've provided and if that doesn't help and you have one on your shelf, I'd definitely be interested.

Chas, I took out the entire Weir assembly, took it completely apart, scrubbed everything down and put it back together again.  It seems to be working just fine now!!  I was thinking the springs in the plastic bullets were going but it's working like it should.  I'll keep an eye on it and see if it holds up.  Thanks again for your help.  Next up will be the Moto, but I may wait until it's time to drain the water to tackle that one.

[Chas]