Pump motor life?

[pbroussard]

Glad I was pointed to this forum by a friend. Appreciate all the work everyone does here.

My first question here is motor life. Our 24' Artesan AG is 6 years old, original motor lasted 3 years, replacement, 3 more. It runs a Turbo King DYNII pump. Apparently the problem in the current one is the startup mechanism, might have been frozen with rust. I've lubed it up with white lithium spray and worked it back and forth, and can get it to start up by either pulling the mechanism out or manually spinning the shaft with a large screwdriver while hitting the switch.

It seems to me that this motor life is very short, current motor is an AO Smith 1 HP SPL 48Y BN24, spins fine, when off I can spin the shaft very easily. But the motor has a grinding sound that is very annoying, and has had it since I installed it 3 years ago. Searching here indicates a bad bearing, puzzling that it would do it since new, but perhaps the bearing was dry/defective from the start.

I'm going to order another motor and seal, I believe. Unless it would be a good idea to go with a new pump/motor combo at this time in the pump's life. 6 years old, the casing is fading, new cap, impeller and strainer. over the last few years though. Cost is motor $100, new pump $200. Not worried about cost, long term reliability is more of a concern.

Any thoughts on getting more life out of the motor? I'm considering making a cover/roof on it, and guess I need to cover it up in the winter. Location is Louisiana, with very mild winters, barely breaking freezing levels throughout winter.

[pbroussard]

Well, I seem to have solved the startup problem. Several days of cleaning/lubing the starting mechanism has freed it up, so the motor starts right up now. I guess I need a bearing in it for the grinding noise now.

Is it common practice to lube the starting mechanism on a regular basis? Thanks,

Paul

[mad hatter]

The startup problem could also be a bad capacitor. Those are usually the symptoms. The part costs around $10.

[Poconos]

Usually when a capacitor fails, if fails permanently. More likely the starter centrifugal switch contacts. It's better to use a thin, flat file to dress the contacts but you can also use some 400 grit wet-or-dry paper available at auto stores. If the pump/motor is showing signs of weathering then a cover is advisable. There generally isn't any routine lubing needed for the motor or any of its parts.
Al

[pbroussard]

It's better to use a thin, flat file to dress the contacts but you can also use some 400 grit wet-or-dry paper available at auto stores.
Al

That did the trick, Al. Easier than I thought, so I had delayed getting out in the heat to work on it. Today we had showers, cooled things down, tried your suggestion, worked well. Thanks for the sound advice!

Paul

[Poconos]

Thanks for the comment. Glad to hear things work out well once in a while.
Al