Possible pump motor bearing failure?

[PoolDoc]

I don't know -- sound quality in the video is not good, and is very hard to listen to, but if the blue tubing in the screen cap below is passing air into the volute (chamber behind the pump strainer pot chamber) you'd get just that sort of effect. And, it's very, very common for tubing connected to pumps via the drain ports to cause that sort of problem:

[kballard72]

That tubes job has been to pass air, its from the ozone generator and has passed some "air" since install 3 years ago.. But it is turned off while chasing this problem

And for the unit to run fine for the first 15-20 minutes repeatedly seems improbable to be related to the basket (suction) side. But that 15-20 minutes does have to occur after overnight cold.

[mas985]

It doesn't mater if the ozone line is off, you need to remove the line and put back the drain plug otherwise, you can't eliminate that as the cause. It definitely sounds like air is getting into the pump and if it is injected at the bottom, you may not see it in the pump basket.

[kballard72]

done. no change

[kballard72]

Steps so far the recap:

Removed ozone line and plugged with OEM plug per suggestion.
Impeller, seal, wear ring, replaced, though clearly unneeded (i already ordered before talking to the experienced folks on here)
The basket side has no visible cracks, etc.
removed motor from pump and it is quiet as a mouse when left running without a load

The main symptom is in a matter of seconds it starts making the racket like cavitation and the pressure drops at the filter.

On the suction side is two skimmers and a double drain.

On the pressure side is filer, chlorine feeder, split off to a return valve and a water feature valve.


The last things done prior to this occurring though this did not start when these maintenance items were performed

Filters pulled and cleaned
Valve to water feature replaced

Thanks All. At some point I guess i will be calling service, the fam will only wait do long on my shenanigans....

[kballard72]

Ran the pump again, it full primes and still making that racket and not creating pressure

If it is air, going after the last 3 parts that could be doing it out of sight between the basket and impeller...

Diffuser
Diffuser O-ring
O-ring between the two main halves.
go ahead and get a new one for the basket lid too


After that... may be time for a service call

[mas985]

Some things are harder to troubleshoot than others especially in a forum but it is still good to eliminate causes. One thing I cannot tell from the video, it moves around too fast, is what is happening in the pump basket when the noise begins and the filter pressure drops. Is there any change and do you see any air entering the pump basket? All the symptoms and sounds point to an air leak and I just want to make sure that I am not missing anything. Just for kicks, check the skimmer weir door and make sure it swings freely.

[kballard72]

Full Prime, no air in basket. If there is air it is somewhere between basket and impeller, unseen.

Skimmer is full of water when this is occurring.

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door swings and plenty of water flowing

Would the diffuser O ring cause this issue? How about the diffuser itself?

The o ring between the two halves (exterior that the 6 bolts snug up), am I correct in that, that is pressure side and if an issue that would leak water...

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Additional note: Shaving creme

Foamed up all the joints from the valves to the union, basket lid, and the two plugs... no signs of air being pulled through exterior suction side joints or gakets.

Basket side remains clear of bubbles...

It sounds like maybe the diffuser O ring is not letting the pump fully pressurize and causing the chattering? Or shooting blanks...

[mas985]

Would the diffuser O ring cause this issue? How about the diffuser itself?

I doubt it unless the diffuser was spinning inside the housing but you would have seen signs of that with the old diffuser.

The o ring between the two halves (exterior that the 6 bolts snug up), am I correct in that, that is pressure side and if an issue that would leak water...

Yes, any leaks on the pressure side would be squirting water.


Originally, you had posted this:

It is a hayward tristar and I noticed the white impeller ring (looks like a white bearing race) has numerous etchings as well as the neck of the impeller that it slides over....)

If the the impeller ring is not seated well or the wet end is damaged in some way, it may be possible that there is a periodic loss in pressure due to recirculation losses but this is just speculation at this point.

How badly damaged were the impeller ring and impeller and did you inspect the wet end housing for any cracks?

Also, is the filter filling up with air and do you see any air coming out of the pool returns?