Jacuzzi pump leaking at motor

[poolbee]

I have a Jacuzzi Magnum Force pump that appears to be leaking where the pump and motor meet. There is a collar connection there and the collar has a yellow tab that can be removed-I do not know what that is for. Is there an o-ring in that collar that perhaps needs replacing? I don't want to play around with it totally unaware of how it works. It loses prime when it is off but is self priming and that works but I don't trust that and don't want my motor burning out. Any advice welcome!

[Watermom]

Did you figure out what was going on? Bumping this back up so maybe, if you still need it, somebody can offer you a suggestion.

[Poconos]

I saw your post a while back and found a poor exploded parts view. Didn't make sense so I didn't reply. Found this one now

http://www.poolpartsonline.com/p-35932-jacuzzi-magnum-pump-replacement-parts.aspx

and there is an O-ring behind that ring. Thought there had to be. That could definitely be your problem but first, can you tighten that collar? May be enough. Hayward pumps use 4 bolts between the motor and pump housing and every spring I need to torque mine to stop a dribble. I have no idea what that yellow tab is.
Al

[niceguymr]

I have this same exact problem but I'm affraid to even try to take mine apart b/c a few different 'pool guys' have told me that since parts for the Jacuzzi pumps are so hard to come by (or expensive) that I may take mine apart and not be able to put it back together 100%. I've been told to not mind the leak and simply let the motor run it's course until it's time to replace everything.

This creates a dilema for me. On one hand, I have a pretty loud/noisy pump motor situation that can probably easily be fixed by replacing it with a new motor for maybe under $200. On the other hand, if I buy a new motor and put it on only to find out that there are other problems with the pump, then I've wasted the money on the new motor and I have to spend a lot of money for hard to get parts, or I'll just have to get a whole new pump/motor set. It's very frustrating b/c I'm very new to all this stuff and I don't know enough about pump motors to feel comfortable enough to just start taking things apart not knowing what I'm going to find inside or if I'll even be able to get it all back together.

I realize that's not an answer to the original post/question but I just thought I'd share what I've been told and my personal experience with this same problem.

[Poconos]

NiceGuy, welcome to the forum.

On the parts issue there are normally only two things that could make noise. The water pressure seal and the motor bearings. the pressure seal may be one of those hard to find parts for that pump, don't know for sure. Bearings are another issue. If you can't easily find the bearings for that motor there are a couple good sources for bearings but you would have to pull the old ones and measure them to find a match. If they are really rusted in place then you probably would destroy other things trying to remove the old ones. If you want to pursue this let us know.
Al

[niceguymr]

NiceGuy, welcome to the forum.

On the parts issue there are normally only two things that could make noise. The water pressure seal and the motor bearings. the pressure seal may be one of those hard to find parts for that pump, don't know for sure. Bearings are another issue. If you can't easily find the bearings for that motor there are a couple good sources for bearings but you would have to pull the old ones and measure them to find a match. If they are really rusted in place then you probably would destroy other things trying to remove the old ones. If you want to pursue this let us know.
Al

Thank you very much for your reply. Is the 'water pressure seal' that you mentioned also called a 'shaft seal'? The reason I ask is b/c I see some pool supply websites sell these things called "Go-Kits" that contain some parts that typically need to be replaced when changing a pump motor. On one website I found that sells the same motor I need, they sell a 'Go-Kit' that includes: Shaft Seal, Housing Gasket, Diffuser Gasket, Lid O-Ring, and Lubricant. Do you think that I would be good to go with this 'go kit'?

[Poconos]

Yes, the shaft seal is the one I mean. Before you go buying something I would try and separate the motor from the pump and run it. That will tell you if the bearings are OK. If it's quiet then go for the kit. You would have to pull it apart anyhow so do it before spending the money.
Al

[niceguymr]

Yes, the shaft seal is the one I mean. Before you go buying something I would try and separate the motor from the pump and run it. That will tell you if the bearings are OK. If it's quiet then go for the kit. You would have to pull it apart anyhow so do it before spending the money.
Al

Oh, I forgot to mention... My main reason for disassembling the motor from the pump is not the leak issue. It's all the LOUD NOISE that comes from my motor. It sounds like a coffee can rolling around filled with pennies. I'm just trying to see how much longer I can tolerate it - or if the motor just dies on it's own. Either way, I'm looking to replace the motor and figured that when I do, I'll solve the leak issue too.

[poolbee]

Hi everyone. I haven't been online in a while and didn't see replies. Watermom, it still leaks. I am afraid to disconnect anything for fear I won't be able to get it back together! It is not a huge leak and it doesn't lose prime any more. I bleed the filter each time it goes on and only a little air if any comes out. I am going to take the collar off and see what I can see. I can't afford a new pump now so I don't want to break it investigating it. As I said the leak is small but it is a constant puddle under it starting at the collar when it is on and stops when it is off. It is not any louder than usual.

[Poconos]

Sounds like you have a plan. If you get to any gaskets or O-rings you can try coating them with silicone grease before putting them back. You can get a small tube of the stuff at any pool store.
Let us know how you make out.
Al

[surfsister101]

Hi poolbee,

I have the same jacuzzi pump, 1hp. Our poolbuild was in 2003. I run the pump non-stop 24hrs a day from open to close, typically from May 1 - Oct 1. I have the infloor cleaning system and I like to keep that running. When I opened the pool this year, after about 2 weeks of running, the pump got very loud. I figured the propeller needed cleaned due to all the "helicopters" that fell from the trees and I figured they got thru and clogged it up in there, but I wasn't willing to take the motor apart due to not being able to get it back together! I have been researching new pumps to replace this one for about a week now. Just to let you know, my pump quit working lastnight. this morning I went out and it was done. So, the loud noise went on for about 1 month before it quit working. I don't recommend you let it just die, even though thats what i did. I knew I was getting a new pump but I was hoping it would have made it till next week so the new pump could be installed when we were out of town. Oh well!

*The yellow ring with the yellow push tab is the "no tool entry" benefit. You just push the yellow tab in and hold it in while turning the black ring collar to take the motor out.
I have the jacuzzi filter system and it has the same setup on the filter case.

My paperwork says it has an unconditional 2 year warranty against seal failure which allows the pump to run dry without damage to the shaft seal.

12 year limited warranty, but it doesn't say what the limited includes.

Hope this helps!