Average life expectancy of pump

[bboehm]

I have a 6 yr old sta-rite pump that in the last two years has started to shut itself down when it gets too hot. I never noticed it doing this before. And it seems to overheat quite a bit. It will eventually turn itself back on as it cools down. Is this a sign that the pump is about to go? Is anyone aware of what the avg life expectancy on the pumps usually is?

[NWMNMom]

The question I have is what is causing it to overheat? Is there an internal screen or fitting that is blocked or leaking? We had a Sta-Rite that had a bad gasket and it had to work to compensate for the air leak, so it would overheat - especially when it got really hot outside and the entire unit would be exposed to heat. We replaced the gasket and made sure the pump unit was properly sheltered from direct sun - problem fixed. The pump still runs but on another pool.

Does it smell like "ozone" or something when the overheating happens?

[bboehm]

Thanks for your reply. I don't notice any leak or smell at all when it overheats. It is in direct sunlight though. I try to keep it covered with a piece of plywood most of the time and that seems to help a little bit. Good question though... I just assumed that it was overheating because it was getting old. Do you know of a good source to order the gasket? I may try that too.

[Poconos]

Simple age isn't a reason for a pump to overheat. One thing to easily check is cooling. There is a fan that keeps air circulating to cool the field windings and since this is located outside it is possible critters got inside and made a home blocking some of the air passages. When it's running see if there is good airflow. That tells you it isn't totally blocked. If you have compressed air try pulling the back cover, typically where the wires go in, and blow out any crud you may find.
Hope this helps.
Al
Edit: BTW...my Hayward superpump was installed in 97 and is still going strong. Only thing I have to replace this year is one O-ring gasket. It's also located in a poolhouse out of the sun and weather.