Here's my experience with replacing the motor on a Hayward SuperPump:
When we
opened the pool at our new home this summer, the existing 2HP Hayward pump (SP2615X20) had a seized motor and we expected to have to replace it. To our surprise, the installer who set up the new filter and SWG was able to un-seize the motor with a little work and save us the cost of buying a new one. Unfortunately, after a few weeks, the motor started screaming loud while running extremely hot. I tried
cleaning the impeller but it did not seem to be an issue of debris--it was the bearings that were shot.
My neighbor recommended a local motor repairman who rebuilds pump motors in his garage shop. I called him up and he offered to swap out the motor for a working one for $100. Took me a little bit of time to get everything disconnected (after shutting off the power, of course) but I was able to unbolt the entire motor and bring it over to the repair shop. This guy reminded me of my grandpa--the kind of person who never throws anything away and will fix just about anything as a matter of principle. He had a huge collection of pump motors and parts ready to go, including an exact match for the circa-2009 2HP Hayward I needed.
So many pump motors...
Impressive impeller collection:
The repairman took the time to disassemble my busted motor to show me exactly why these things fail. He commented on the crummy design of the long bolts that inevitably break when removing them to access the bearings. There was clearly corrosion inside the motor case, and applying bench power we could hear it grinding heavily: "Your neighbors must
love you," he commented sarcastically.
The rebuilt motor had new bearings, anti-seize on all the bolts, and washers on the screws for the power leads. He powered it on briefly and we could hear the difference immediately--it hummed along with no grinding. To help ensure a longer life, he recommended sealing up the exhaust holes on the motor case when closing the pool for the winter. Apparently bugs and spiders get in there and just lead to more gunk and corrosion.
I paid my hundred bucks (he threw in a replacement skimmer basket as well,) brought home the rebuilt motor, and hooked it back up. Took some time to get the heavy gauge power cables screwed into the terminals cleanly, but I got it eventually and closed everything back up cleanly. I filled the basket with water, closed up the cover, and turned the power back on at the breaker. And once again I have a working pump that won't annoy the neighbors!