Question
QUESTION: I have inline valves in 5 areas. 4 of them work fine. when I turn them on, there is a whoosh sound of water flowing near the source box and the sprinkling begins.

for area 1, this does not happen. I opened the bleeder valves in all areas. each time I did, the area started sprinkling and a little water came out of the bleeder valve hole while the area sprinkled. with the area that does not work, no sprinkling started in the area, but the water gushed out of the bleeder valve hole.

Any advise very welcome, and I thank you in advance. I am at the end of knowing how to go further.

ANSWER: Hey Peter, your diaphram is no good and needs to be replaced. Go to www.irrigationtutorials.com and on this website, it will show you how to replace the diaphram in your valve. Good luck and have a great day.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks so much. I pulled the diaphragm out, cleaned it all up per the instructions online, put it back together, made sure the solenoid spring moved smoothly, and it still did not work. So it sounds like something may be wrong in the diaphragm based on what you say. One question: I noticed that at the bottom of the diaphragm, there is a washer and a small black plastic piece with a small hole in it. That black plastic piece "seems" to want to screw into the bottom of the diaphragm, but it does not and just sort of sit loosely on the bottom of the diaphragm cup with the washer between it and the rest of the diaphragm.  Is that piece supposed to be screwed in and could that be the problem. As I said, there is a hole in it that would match up with the hole in the bottom of the diaphragm, and there seem to be threads on the black piece for screwing into something.

once I have your answer I will proceed as you instruct.  thank you so much for your knowledge and time.

Answer
Hey Peter, that is a plastic screw that has broken off. Just buy a new diaphram and don't mess with the old one. Replace the diaphram.Make sure there are no old parts in the bottom of the valve when you install the new one. Also make sure you align all the holes correctly on the top when you put the new one in. If the holes do not line up correctly, then the valve will not work. Good luck and have a great day.