stripped plug nut, hayward super pump

[docsobeck]

hi all,

i have a small leak somewhere in the pump area. not enough to cause noticeable water loss, but enough to have chlorinated water running into a flower bed, killing the plants. i know how hard it is to find where a small leak is, but in this case the smart money is on the plug not on the right side of the pump housing, since the nut won't tighten. it goes in but at some point it just keeps turning without getting tighter. i was hoping it was just a stripped nut, but a brand new one does it as well. sigh.

i sure don't want to replace the pump over something so minor. suggestions?

thanks.

[Poconos]

If it's the drain plug then there are two options...I guess. One is to bore out the hole and tap for an oversize plug. Next would be...the plug isn't really necessary as you can empty the chamber by sucking the water out for winterizing. More difficult than just pulling a plug but it's something that isn't done often. Therefore, dry the area and get some JB Weld (Home depot, auto stores etc), blob the plug and hole and stick in the plug and let it cure. It's on the suction side so no real pressure is involved.
Al
Edit: Thinking a little more, that JB stuff is tough and you could probably fill in the hole, drill and tap for a new plug.

[docsobeck]

thanks al. i was thinking i'd probably just plug it permanently. does the side plug drain a different portion than the plug on the front?

[docsobeck]

well poop. stopped the leak from the plug, but it's still leaking. appears to be coming from underneath. i replaced the motor a couple of years ago. would the most likely candidate be the gasket from the housing where the motor assembly meets the basket assembly?

[docsobeck]

i just went ahead and replaced the seal assembly as well as the housing gasket. leak gone. yay.

[Poconos]

Haven't been on too frequently but glad you got it fixed. I always get a leak at that gasket in the spring and I just torque the bolts and the dribble stops. Common dribble place. As for the drain plugs, mine only has one on the side. Don't think there is another one but I'll look. Obviously I never pulled that one. In fact I never pulled any plug on the pump so I don't know if they drain different areas. Can't imagine what other area there would be except the basket chamber. Draining that would drain the impeller area too. I just suck the water out when I winterize and dump some antifreeze in the chamber.
Al