Pump troubleshooting

[76bronco]

I've got a approximately 2 year old Hayward Power Flo Matrix 1 hp pump. Yesterday I noticed that the pump had tripped breaker (it's practically alone on the breaker, ocassionaly some lights ). When you reset the breaker the pump will run and move water, but it sounds like it's running bogged down and within 30 seconds will trip the breaker again. I felt inside the housing and it doesn't feel like the impeller is blocked and the fact that it is moving water leads me to believe the impeller is moving.
Matching hayward sand filter and pressure gauge reading between 10 and 15 psi which is normal for my AG 18ft round pool.
Where should I start?
Thanks in advance.

Brian

[PoolDoc]

Sounds like a problem that can be fixed with a new motor!

Possibly, there may be some repairs that can be done. Send in the model number & make of the MOTOR (not the whole pump) and if possible, some pics of the motor, motor label and motor end housing, and we'll see if we can work it out.

[76bronco]

Hope this helps. Let me know if you still want the motor end housing pics too.
Thanks for the help.

[PoolDoc]

The link you used is a bad one -- I tested it directly, and it goes to a "no page" error at Google. -Ben

[76bronco]

sorry. hopefully this one works

[Poconos]

I replied to your initial post the other day and somehow it didn't make it. So, I'll try again.
After the breaker trips and the motor is stopped, does it feel excessively hot? Also do you smell anything like overheated insulation or burnt wiring? That could indicate a shorted turn or turns on the motor windings. I doubt it though. Could be a breaker that has gone bad too. When the pump is running listen at the power panel for a buzz or some noise from the breaker and when it does trip does it feel warm? Is it a GFCI type breaker? That would be more prone to failure. If it's a regular breaker then possibly the contacts have gotten crummy and developed a high resistance and it's heating up. They will trip on overcurrent or thermally if the load slightly exceeds the rating. Changing the breaker is a relatively cheap try. Sometimes the mechanism will just go bad and they'll trip below their rating. Since you said the pressure is right and it's pumping OK you can rule out any problem with the motors starting circuit.
Let's get comments on my suggestions and we'll go further.
Al