Pump shaft seal keeps going bad?

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JaySav

JaySav

Bronze Supporter
Mar 24, 2019
195
Memphis, TN
Pool Size
33000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Hey guys how long should a shaft seal last? It seems like mine go bad about every 6-8 months or so. I’ve replaced it 2 times in the last few years and came out this morning to the pump pouring water out of the bottom. I used the good quality salt one last time. Thanks
 
Jay,

I don't know the official answer, but they should last a lot longer than a few months.

For reference, I have three IntelliFlo VS pump that run 24/7. One is about 10 years old, one is over 8 years old, and the one at my house is about 7 years old. They all have their original shaft seals and are used in saltwater pool. None of them leak at all and it is something that I routinely look for.

I am not sure of the problem, but I doubt it is the seal itself.

Let's see what @JamesW has to say...

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
I haven’t noticed any signs of it running dry. I’ve replaced all the seals, only thing I haven’t replaced is the seal plate. Yea it’s been an issue ever since I replaced the motor about 2 years ago. I replaced the motor with the identical one that came off. Maybe I didn’t do something right but I mean they’re good for a while so if I didn’t do something right usually you’d see that immediately. I’m an aircraft mechanic so I’m pretty handy, I just don’t know. I took it off to inspect everything.
 
I remember your old thread.

Something is off with the pump causing a premature failure, but I don't know what.

Maybe a warped or defective seal plate.

Sta-Rite Max E Pro pump w/ Century Centurion motor extremely loud!

Hey guys, been a while since I posted but I think the bearings are about shot in my pump. Can I have some advice as to what, I more than likely, need to replace while I replace the bearings. Is there some kind of general rebuild kit or do I just need a few seals and bearings? Thanks
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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I would love to get into a new pump but $1000 pump just isn’t in the cards at the moment. A bad situation got a little worse, while taking the seal plate off one of the bolts was so corroded the head sheared off. I had to heat it up with a heat gun to get the plate to separate because the shank was corroded to the plate. Now I have to soak the threads in hopes to get the shank out. Shaft seal looks good. All the seals look good. It’s a good possibility it’s the seal plate.
 
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There was a ton of corrosion on the 2 lower bolts/holes so that tells me there’s been some water getting down there for a while. I’m very good about keeping an eye on the equipment and looking for dark spots under everything. I would assume that would point to the shaft seal ultimately but I honestly think there’s something else going on. From looking at everything I would have to just assume it’s the seal plate. This pump is original from 2007 I think (when pool was built, we bought the house in 2019). Is the seal plate something that wears out after a while?
 
So since this has happened ever since a new motor went on, how about maybe the shaft not being true and maybe having some shaft warpage? I may bring the motor into work and try to do a run out test on it. See if I can see a wobble. I kind of don’t have a lot of time because the temps tho, it’s supposed to warm up the next few days but tonight is going to be 23 degrees. Just have to drain all my equipment and hope for the best.
 
I don’t see any major obvious problems.

You can replace the seal plate if you feel like it is compromised.

Maybe go with the silicon carbide seal for the pump and maybe use aquarium silicone to install it and create a better seal.

Allow the silicone to dry/cure overnight before priming and starting the pump.

Don’t get silicone on the seal face.

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Thank you for that info. I went to the local pool store and got a seal last time so it probably wasn’t the correct seal. Also I don’t think installed the seal with any sealant, should I have used sealant? Is aquarium silicon something I can get at Lowe’s or special order?
 
If you get a new seal plate, the seal lube would probably be sufficient.

Silicone sealant can be tricky to get just right and it might end up causing more issues.

If I was going to reuse the seal plate, I would use silicone sealant to account for the degradation of the seal plate.

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Seal plate from AZpoolsupplies.com is on sale for $60. Have you heard of them? I may just get a new seal plate and new shaft seal and see what happens. It was pouring out pretty heavily this morning.
 
Idk if it actually is or not but it looks like the seal isn’t centered in the seal plate. I have always used that magic lube for pools.
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