Bad bearings or something else

[FormerBromineUser]

Not sure about the impeller but it doesn't sound right to me. Waiting for an expert to chime in here. Things are a bit slow this time of year.

You have had those bubbles for ten years? That does not look normal to me. I will see if I can get someone to help.

[vchavez]

The bubbles don't bother me so much. I tried tracking them down, replaced the 3 way sandy valve rings, replaced the clear top, the top o-ring and it still bubbles. It doesn't bother me.

The noise, however, is bothering my neighbors so I want to fix that issue. My gut is telling me bearings, but i never thought of the impeller. I guess I could disconnect/remove the impeller and just run the motor with it not connected and see if it's just the motor making the noise?

[FormerBromineUser]

I really know nothing about motors! I tried to get some people to look at your questions. Hope they do!

[mas985]

Sounds like bad bearings to me. You can replace them if you have the proper tools but a new motor is easier.

[FormerBromineUser]

Thanks, Mark, for looking at this thread.

Isn't that pump cativating? I am wondering if that is shortening the life of his pump. Just a thought.

[mas985]

Air in the pump basket is not the same thing as cavitation. Cavitation can only be heard and not seen because the vapor bubbles occur only at the inlet to the impeller and collapse in the impeller so they cannot be seen. Plus it is actually quite hard to cavitate a residential pool pump.

The sound is more like metal rubbing which would occur in the motor bearings and possibly the impeller ring.

[FormerBromineUser]

Thanks for the explanation. Really glad you looked at this. Do you think vchavez needs to worry further about those bubbles?