Booster Pump Seal Leak After Motor Replacement

[rortega53]

I replaced my 3/4 HP Polaris booster pump motor with a B625 A.O. Smith and ordered/used the Go-Kit 71V-9 for the seal and O-ring replacements. When I lined the pump back up, there was a large continuous leak from the seal area. Mind you, the booster pump was not even running. The leak was from the main pump pressure to the booster impeller/volute. I checked the seal installation and it seemed to be correct; however, the leak is large and the booster pump is not yet usable.

What did I do wrong? It's my 1st time to replace a motor/seals/O-rings; but I'm usually pretty good with repairs.

Thanks

 

[mas985]

Exactly where is it leaking? If it is leaking out of the motor shaft penetration point, then that would be the seal. Anywhere else would be a gasket/o-ring leak. The seals are a bit tricky to install correctly. They must be seated in the correct direction and avoid touching the surfaces.

 

[rortega53]

Mark,

Thanks for the reply!

It's coming out of the shaft area right around where the impeller is located. It must be the seal. The only instruction that I had was YT video; but, it seemed straight forward. Is there a secret to the seal installation? Can the seal faces get wet and be reused? Is there a good tutorial for the seal replacement?

Thanks again

 

[mas985]

Are you sure you installed them in the correct direction?

POOLCENTER.COM - Replacing A Polaris Booster Pump Seal - YouTube

HowTo: Change the pump seal on a Polaris Booster Pump poolplaza.com - YouTube

 

[rortega53]

I'm going to pull it apart this week and recheck the seal installation direction. The spring-y seal may be installed backwards. The impeller seal really only goes in one way; but, I'll check that one, also. I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks

 

[mas985]

The carbon surface always faces the ceramic (both rubber surfaces face outward) but as a unit, sometimes it can be installed backwards and still look right.

 

[rortega53]

The carbon surface always faces the ceramic (both rubber surfaces face outward) but as a unit, sometimes it can be installed backwards and still look right.

That was it. I had the rear seal installed backwards. Pulled it apart this afternoon and the Polaris was back working in less than an hour. Thanks for the help!