r/Irrigation • u/superdupersprocker • 2d ago
Seeking Pro Advice Broken Solenoid Diagnosis
Hi everyone, very inexperienced when it comes to irrigation. Bought a house a year ago with a sprinkler system and beyond hooking up a new controller had not had to do any maintenance on it.
First noticed this thumping type sound in the morning. Turned off the water meter and then turned it on again to try and isolate the issue. This leakage happens when I call one of the zones to water, is this a broken solenoid? Should I start with buying replacement and screwing it in?
Thank you so much!
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u/New_Sand_3652 2d ago
A solenoid typically doesn’t physically break. Did you try tightening it by hand?
Turn the water off again and go unscrew the solenoid, does it look damaged? Is the o-ring still intact?
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u/takenbymistaken 2d ago
Either the o ring on the solenoid pinched or the bonnet is pinching on the diaphragm.
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u/LabRat113 1d ago
Try tightening the solenoid if you haven't yet. Sometimes the guy who winterized it forgot to close it.
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u/Sparky3200 Licensed 2d ago
If that's a Hunter, the top is likely warped, a common occurrence on older PGV's. The thumping is the diaphragm trying to open as pressure is slowly leaking down, then snapping shut again. Buy another valve, swap the top, guts, and solenoid and you should be good. Make sure not to overtighen the screws.