Another humming pump...........

[AnnaK]

Hope it's fixable and you don't have to buy a new one.

You could just pour some bleach in now and mix it in with the brush or leaf net.

[aylad]

Yeah, I did that, but I really need my filter..........I hope he can fix it, too.

Janet

[waste]

Hey, Jan. Sorry the pump's not working!

Can you remind me of the model of your pump?

The first thing for you or your bro to check is that the shaft spins freely. If it doesn't, see if you can get it to spin, the motor might be louder than usual, but should work.

Let us know if the shaft can be manually turned - I'm thinking either the bearings are shot or the start capacitor is. Also, I would listen to any advice Al has to give on this!

[aylad]

It's an A.O Smith 1 HP pump. I have taken the whole assembly apart except for the motor itself--I don't know enough to be comfortable taking that part apart--and everything outside the motor appears to work fine. I'm going to look up an old post of mine and edit this one with the link about the impeller, but if I'm mistaken the impeller on this pump isn't supposed to turn. If that's true, should I be able to turn the shaft from the outside of the motor? There's a part of the shaft that sticks out a few inches from the motor that the impeller screws onto. Should that part turn?

Janet

Edit: Here's the thread from last year that describes the impeller situation--specifically my post #9. I think this motor is now about 4 years old. http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...acing+impeller

[Watermom]

I just chided Al for not seeing this post from you! Hopefully he'll pop on soon!

[waste]

Yes, the shaft should freely turn. If it doesn't, it's probably the bearings that got wet last year when your impeller snapped off. Did you change the shaft seal assembly when you replaced the impeller?

If not, I'll 'double down' on my guess that the bearings need to be repacked. (for everyone's edification: when you change out an impeller, it's best to replace the shaft seal assembly as well- it's another $10- 20 but, the seals are prone to failure once removed and can/ will leak, which puts the bearings and other motor components in jeopardy of failing or seizing up).

I hope Al will clarify things for me ( I don't always express myself properly on the 'nuts and bolts/ physics' part of repairing things)

[aylad]

I'm almost positive that we did change the seal assembly at that time, but I wouldn't bet my life on it. I do remember replacing one set of seals but not sure if it was between the pump/motor or the motor and housing. But when we replaced the impeller shaft, we never had to open up the motor itself--the part that broke off was outside the motor, does that make sense? I wish I still had my pics but they were on my phone and got erased in the last backup glitch. I think I emailed them to Al, maybe he'll still have them. I have to work tomorrow, but maybe Monday I'll have a chance to open it up again and see whether the shaft spins or not. My brother hasn't had a chance to get out here yet, looks like I may have to call a pro if I have any hope of getting it done before it actually gets cold out......

Janet