Take Apart Pump To Fix Leak

[Steveromo]

Hi Gang. Hope everyone's winter is well! I wanted to fix a drip leak I've had in my pump for two years. Not sure of the brand, sticker says "Avalanche 4000" and specs say AC1000MXVT." It has three parts. 1: A "bucket" where the water enters in the front and goes through a skimmer-type strainer and exits to the rear. 2: A cylinder that shoots the water through the top onto the filter. and 3: The motor in the rear. It has a drip leak coming from the bottom of the center cylinder. Research of other posts suggest a possible bad gasket / o-ring / or sealer. But in order to open that section of the pump I must remove the front "bucket." It is held on with a 3-inch horseshoe shaped plastic clip. I'm not sure how to remove that. Do you imply lift it off? I don't want to snap it ((I've been known to do that!!) THANKS!

[mas985]

It is probably the seal but normally, you remove the motor section to get to the seal (not the basket).

[Steveromo]

Thanks.

You are correct. I removed the clip and the "bucket" came off easily and then I removed the 8 screws to reveal the "spinning wheel" chamber only to find out that the leak is coming from the other section. I am not sure how to get there now! I removed three screws from the extreme rear but the motor would not come away from the housing. Any suggestions? (I would like to post pictures but I don't know how.) My apologies for using made-up terms, I don't speak pool repair yet... still a beginner!

[mas985]

If you can see the impeller (spinning wheel), then you have access to the seal. The seal sits right behind the impeller and the impeller will usually just spin off of the motor shaft when turned the correct direction (ccw) while holding the motor shaft from the end cap. The impeller may have a locking nut on the end that needs to be removed but not all pumps have that.

There are many videos on youtube that can show you how this is done and you might even find a similar pump to yours.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=replace%20pool%20pump%20seal&sm=3

This one is for a Hayward pump but most pumps are not too different:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT6FaK3MX4o

[Steveromo]

Thanks a bunch for the advice and the video links. I was able to get the seal off and found a replacement seal. Now I wait until the water thaws so I can hook it up and test it! I suppose there is no way to test without running the water through it. Thanks to all who helped!

[Steveromo]

New seal working fine. No drips! Thanks again for the info!!!