Bad bearings or something else

[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?

[mas985]

The air in the pump basket is probably due to a bad lid gasket or just debris on the gasket. Try removing the pump lid, cleaning the gasket and seat and add a little pool lube to the gasket. That should eliminate the air in the pump basket. If not, you may need a new gasket. Other places air can leak are the pump drain plugs and valves.

[vchavez]

Well, I removed all the pump related stuff down to the bare motor and just running the motor and it makes the same sound... so, bad bearings.

The motor was new in 2009.

Any thoughts on where I can get bearings? I know replacing the motor is easier, but replacing bearings is cheaper. :-)

[mas985]

http://wetheadpumprepair.com/

[vchavez]

Thanks for the information. I've attached a picture of the front.. wonder if this is normal, and this is still suitable for a bearing upgrade?

Also, the Pump is a 1HP Emerson with a SF of 1.65. It replaced at Pacfab challenger motor which was a 1HP Centurion 1.65SF motor. If I wanted to just swap out the motor:

Do I need to maintain the 1.65SF x 1 HP for a max HP of 1.65?

Would a 1HP x 1.25SF be sufficient?

I have a 3-5-3 pool, which is about 13K Gallons.