We have a Kenmore water softener that probably has not worked for a long time. It does not use salt and water remains in the salt tank. I recently tried to fix it and when I went to clean the Venturi, the gasket was brittle and in a million pieces, and the second small plug was not even present. I cleaned everything out, but am wondering if it pays to try and replace the gasket and plug or if the system will be ruined from sitting so long. The machine is at least 12 years old, maybe more, and I hate to pay for a service call if the whole thing will need to be replaced.

If it is 12 years old than I would replace it with new one. Venturi is expensive and Sears service is not exactly cheap, either. If you add up the cost you pay for parts and labor - you realize you just spent 50% of the cost of new softener.

Hope that helps... Back to you... Milo