Hayward PowerFlo Matrix Pump Issues

[Corrik]

Hayward PowerFlo Matrix 2 speed 1.5 HP pump.

Having issues. First pump, I knew was kind of messed up. My kid bent it and caused it to start leaking. Was end of season and with only 8 hours of run time and low speed, it barely dripped enough to matter. We weathered the rest of the season.

Put it back on this year and noticed it was leaking much more pronounced and also through the very end of the pump on the motor side also. Seemed to be working fine besides the water loss. Since my neighbor dropped my cover in the pool while helping me, I needed it to run anyways to try and treat my pool. About 4 days later. My kid comes in and says the pool is making a very weird sound every 5 minutes. I go outside and lo and behold he is correct. Pump shuts off and every 5 minutes tries to run to a weird sound. Then shuts back off. Tried resetting the gfi and running it on low. It ran for 2 minutes than sparks, fire, and smoke came out the very back of the motor.

Decided to go get a new one. Get a new one. Put together... and... it leaks a moderate amount on the bottom of the pump where the screws to the pump is where the strainer basket housing meets it.

Can this pump run like this? Is this going to cause the prior issue? Is this fixable? Everyone has suggested flex tape, but I don't even know how you would flex tape this position. I considered it was the c-clamp not sitting right and pushing them together properly, but trying to fix it multiple times, though I was able to slow the dripping when I manually held them together with no clamp in.

 

[Texas Splash]

I have the same motor set-up. Sounds like your first leak as at the shaft seals flowing backwards through the motor housing which ended-up in a fire. This new pump leak sounds more like around the pump housing and faceplate. It needs to be fixed. Hopefully just a seal. Watch the video below and it will walk you through our set-up. You might see something you overlooked.

 

[Corrik]

It needs to be fixed as this will cause a major issue if not fixed? (I am a bit perturbed I have a problem with a pump within 30 seconds of having it!).

 

[Texas Splash]

It needs to be fixed as this will cause a major issue if not fixed? (I am a bit perturbed I have a problem with a pump within 30 seconds of having it!).

Did you replace the entire assembly (wet end basket AND motor) or just the motor?

 

[Texas Splash]

If you look at the parts list HERE, there are two places this pump can leak forward of the motor between the wet & dry ends. Either the faceplate O-ring (item #10) or the strainer O-ring (item #7). If this was an entire pump replacement, I would let whomever you purchased it from know about the issue unless you wish to open it up and check yourself to see if one of those O-rings got pinched somehow. Either way is frustrating I'm sure since this was a new product. There's also the shaft seal (item #12), but if that was the culprit water would be going through to the motor end like your first pump did.

Also check to ensure the 8 screws holding the pump cover on to the pump housing are not loose. If teh screws are tight, then unless you have a warped/bad plastic component, I'd guess it's item #7 or #10.

 

[Corrik]

Did you replace the entire assembly (wet end basket AND motor) or just the motor?

I just bought an entirely new system. I didn't replace anything onto the old one. This is completely brand new. As in like 5 minute old upon turning on. Lol. Every last piece is new.

 

[Corrik]

If you look at the parts list HERE, there are two places this pump can leak forward of the motor between the wet & dry ends. Either the faceplate O-ring (item #10) or the strainer O-ring (item #7). If this was an entire pump replacement, I would let whomever you purchased it from know about the issue unless you wish to open it up and check yourself to see if one of those O-rings got pinched somehow. Either way is frustrating I'm sure since this was a new product. There's also the shaft seal (item #12), but if that was the culprit water would be going through to the motor end like your first pump did.

Also check to ensure the 8 screws holding the pump cover on to the pump housing are not loose. If teh screws are tight, then unless you have a warped/bad plastic component, I'd guess it's item #7 or #10.

I actually was just talking to my buddy. He said it won't cause damage but it's a bad seal. I said I think it's leaking on the screws themselves and suggested taking the strainer housing off and tightening the screws. He said I could do that and check the seal, call the place and have them fix/replace it, or just live with it. Lol

 

[Texas Splash]

It's certainly within your right to contact the vendor. Hopefully it's just the screws.

 

[Corrik]

Go out this morning and below the pump is dry and there is no leaking at all. That's confusing. Maybe it just needed to run some to seal properly? So confused.

 

[Texas Splash]

Go out this morning and below the pump is dry and there is no leaking at all. That's confusing. Maybe it just needed to run some to seal properly? So confused.

that is weird. Well, perhaps one of those O-rings was cool (tight) or not 100% seated properly and needed some time to operate, warm-up, and seat better. Something to watch.