Answer
Oct 20, 2026 - 08:03 AM
To confirm whether the issue is strictly the o-ring seal or a structural problem, remove the o-ring entirely and try seating the top lid directly onto the bottom tank body. If the two halves fit together smoothly without the ring, you know with total certainty that the o-ring was the issue and simply needs to be replaced. If the lid still binds or refuses to seat evenly without the o-ring in place, heat and freezing temperatures may have warped the plastic housing itself, indicating that either the filter tank lid, bottom tank body, or both need replacing.
Since there are no active leaks and the only issue is extreme tightness, the o-ring has most likely swollen, stiffened, or degraded over time, creating unnecessary friction and resistance. Replacing the o-ring first is by far the most direct and cost-effective place to start.
