pump motor hums then trips breaker

[jrd]

This is a single stage pump motor that is about 5 yrs old.
I've noticed recently the timer turns the motor on and the motor hums and after about 5-10 secs it starts pumping water.
This am, I happened to be out by pool when the motor turned on. It hummed and after 10 secs or so, it tripped the breaker.
I reset breaker and turned it back on, this time it hummed a few secs, maybe 5, then started.
The motor was replaced about 5 yrs ago but the pump is original and 11 1/2 yrs old.
Any ideas as to what is going on?
Thanks,jrd.

 

[JamesW]

Probably a bad capacitor. If the shaft turns easily, try a new capacitor.

 

[jrd]

would I need to uncouple pump from motor to see if shaft turns freely?
After it trips, I can reset breaker and turn it on and it hums a few secs and then starts.

 

[JamesW]

Do you have a picture of the pump?

 

[jrd]

No...can take one but don't know how to upload to site?

 

[JamesW]

Turn off power at the switch and the breaker, remove pump lid, remove pump basket and reach into the hole going to the impeller and see if you can spin the impeller.

Don't just turn off power at the timer as that can turn the pump on by itself.

If you can't reach the impeller, try to access the shaft from the back.

Upload pictures to photobucket and post link.

Most likely, it's a bad capacitor.

 

[jrd]

JamesW...you were right..it was the cap.
Removed to cover and the top of the cap was convex so went to Grainger and picked one up, installed and all is well.
Thanks so much for your help.

 

[JamesW]

Cool. Thanks for the update.