WhisperFlo WFE-3 making noises

[Mrgreenhimself]

I have a Pentair WhisperFlo WFE-3 0.75 hp making strange rumbling noises.
I have already changed:
- seals
- o-rings
- both motor bearings
- impeller
- diffuser
- capacitor

It is NOT caused by vibration.

And I am still hearing these sounds (see video).
It works, but definitely not whispering…

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Sounds like an imbalance in the armature. Definitely in a rotating part and the only moving parts you replaced were the bearings and impeller.

Think about the parts in the motor that are rotating.

Establishing Balance Tolerances for Armatures

Hines Industries Balancing Articles

www.hinesindustries.com

 

[Texas Splash]

I was also curious about the age of the pump and if you ever experienced problems with it in the past (i.e. overheating, clogs, loss of prime, etc)? @mas985 might have some thoughts?

 

[mas985]

I have heard that sound before:

Noisy Pentair Whisperflo. Even after I changed the bearings.

Near the end of last year pool season (3rd season of pool) my Pentair Whisperflo started to get noisy. I researched and it seemed like the resolution would be to replace the bearings. Welp, I just replaced the bearings today and the noise remains. I took a video hoping someone else may have...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Mrgreenhimself]

Thanks!
The pump is about 10 years old, so it probably have lived it's life! :-(
We bought the house in 2020, and have had no issues with it - except the noise.
Was just hoping I could give it a new lease of life without buying a new one.

An imbalance is definitely something I had considered, but I am not able to find any balancing shops here in Palm Springs, CA.

I will probably let it run until it breaks down, and then just buy a new one.

 

[Mrgreenhimself]

I have heard that sound before:

Noisy Pentair Whisperflo. Even after I changed the bearings.

Near the end of last year pool season (3rd season of pool) my Pentair Whisperflo started to get noisy. I researched and it seemed like the resolution would be to replace the bearings. Welp, I just replaced the bearings today and the noise remains. I took a video hoping someone else may have...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks, Mark.
I did see that thread, and I think the sound is the same.... but the OP didn't give an update on the noise, so not sure if it was ever fixed.

 

[mas985]

The fix for something like that is a new motor (or pump).