My pump has been making a fairly loud noise since I moved into my house about a year ago. I thought the sound was normal until a friend said "that isn't normal, you should barely hear a Whisperflo", which makes a lot of sense based on the name. Is anyone able to diagnose what's wrong, and is it a DIY fix? Also, whenever the pump starts up, it almost sounds like some little pebbles are sloshing around and then normalizes to the sound in the linked video.
Pump making loud noise
- Thread starter randdusing
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,796
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
While it might be easy to point at the motor itself, I wonder if you're not experiencing some cavitation? Let's see what @mas985 has to say on this one.
ferretbone
In The Industry
Impeller grinding against the defuser. Or The motor is going out. Did it get louder over a period of time? Or start suddenly?
Just for fun turn it off. open the lid remove the basket, is there a reandom screw down there just sitting there? Or can you remember seeing one there at some point?
Go ahead and spin the metel shalf at the back of the motor behind a litlle almond colored plastic cover about the size of a golf ball. Use a wrench to spin that shaft and listen/ feel the front of the pump for grinding plastic.
If no real luck after that you will have to unbolt the motor from the pump. 6 bolts. then pull the motor out.
Just for fun turn it off. open the lid remove the basket, is there a reandom screw down there just sitting there? Or can you remember seeing one there at some point?
Go ahead and spin the metel shalf at the back of the motor behind a litlle almond colored plastic cover about the size of a golf ball. Use a wrench to spin that shaft and listen/ feel the front of the pump for grinding plastic.
If no real luck after that you will have to unbolt the motor from the pump. 6 bolts. then pull the motor out.
- May 3, 2007
- 16,886
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
A failing run capacitor can sometimes cause that type of sound.
Also, check the centrifugal switch in the back of the motor for a broken spring.
Also, check the centrifugal switch in the back of the motor for a broken spring.
Last edited:
I think you can service most of your pump without disturbing the plumbing if that helps. I have done this with my Hayward single speed.
It's been loud for a while. The "sloshing" pebble/screw sound is newer. And I haven't noticed anything while cleaning the basket.
I'll try spinning it tomorrow, but it seems like I should just learn how to pull motor out over the weekend.
Can you show a picture of the sticker on the front of the pump with the barcode and the date?
Check the voltage and make sure that the voltage is correct for the pump setting.
Check the voltage and make sure that the voltage is correct for the pump setting.
ferretbone
In The Industry
"Also, check the centrifugal switch in the back of the motor for a broken spring." He doesn't have one of those on a factory whisperflo motor.
I'm betting 1.5 hp uprated motor.
Just pull those 6 bolts and remove the motor. It's real easy. After that there will be two tiny alen screws holding the defuser on. Remove that under the defuser is your impellar. Something is rubbing with those two parts or it's likely your motor.
Last edited:
You can download whiperflo manuals at the Pentair website.The manual has nice exploded parts diagrams so you can see how it all goes together and some basic instructions for taking it apart.
Here's a Pentair video showing how to get everything apart. Seal replacement WhisperFlo® & IntelliFlo® pump
- May 3, 2007
- 16,886
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I believe the two speed Whisperflo does have a centrifugal switch. All two speeds do. I was just covering it in case it was a two speed.
Apologies if I don't answer all the questions, but I did some further diagnosis today. The pump seems fine except for some possible wear on the diffuser. There was no debris stuck in the impeller, and the shaft turns freely. But the motor appears to be in really bad shape. There's heavy corrosion around the 4 bolts. One of them couldn't even be tightened back on. Surprisingly it started back up when put back together, albeit even louder than normal and with a "nastier" start up sound. Unfortunately turning it on again later, the motor seized up. Looks I'll be replacing my Whisperflo with an Intelliflo earlier than expected.
I believe this motor is 4-5 years old. Is that normal? Based on reading some other threads, I'm concerned with whether the equipment is bonded correctly.
I believe this motor is 4-5 years old. Is that normal? Based on reading some other threads, I'm concerned with whether the equipment is bonded correctly.
Attachments
Check the voltage and make sure that the voltage is correct for the pump setting.
Can you show a picture of the sticker on the front of the pump with the barcode and the date?
Can you show a picture of the sticker on the front of the pump with the barcode and the date?
Did you get the threaded brass insert off the bolt and epoxy it back in place on the Seal Plate?
I did not, but if I take it apart again, I'll epoxy it. I guess that extra vibration could be a source of noise?
It's possible that the motor pulled back enough to cause the impeller to rub on the seal plate due to the loose bolt.
Check the seal plate and the impeller to see if they show signs of rubbing.
Check the seal plate and the impeller to see if they show signs of rubbing.
Use something like AeroKroil or PB Blaster on that bolt/insert to try to free it up.
- May 3, 2007
- 16,886
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
They are easy enough to replace and not expensive - it would be worthwhile.