Pentair Pinnacle Mineral(?) Build- - Pump Seal or Something More? (Pictures Attached)

[JZeld]

Any help would be very appreciated. I have two Pentair Pinnacle pool pumps for an Endless Pool setup. These two pumps are used for the spa jets at the end of the pool (not the filtering/heating pump). As a result, these jets are used VERY infrequently, maybe 7-10 times/year for 30 minutes at a time. Maybe the lack of use is part of my problem? The pumps are approximately 6 years old.

THE PROBLEM: The pumps run but I have noticed minerals (?) and drops of water leaking out from under the pump. I'm wondering if it is the pump seal or something more. I have the pumps open now and there is a lot of mineral (?) build up in the motor housing (see pic below). I've cleaned everything up using a wire brush and some steel wool (pic below).

MY QUESTIONS: Is the instant fix to replace the pump seals, or are there some other seals/parts I should be looking to replace? For instance, it looks like the O-rings that go around the motor shaft have degraded. Any idea where I can get replacements? Is there a good way to prevent this from happening again?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Under Pump

Motor compartment opened up

Cleaned up motor

Two seals that go around the motor shaft (picture above)

 

[JasonLion]

Definitely replace the shaft seals, and if you see any more water dripping in that area keep looking for the problem.

 

[JZeld]

Definitely replace the shaft seals, and if you see any more water dripping in that area keep looking for the problem.

Thanks JasonLion. Do you know where I get replacement for the two seals that are in the last picture? Or is there something I can use in the alternative? They are pretty corroded. Am I correct to assume that not a drop of water should be getting into that part of the engine compartment? If I can find something to replace those, I'll put the new shaft seals on, watch carefully and hope for the best.

 

[JasonLion]

You can buy parts various places on-line, for example here or here. You can get just the seal, or the kit with all the o-rings and the seals.

 

[JZeld]

Thanks again JasonLion. Sorry if I'm just missing it or not explaining well. I have the mechanical seals, but I can't seem to find the seal that fits at the bottom of the shaft anyplace on the Internet. I've put in arrow in the picture below.

This is what my existing ones look like:

 

[JasonLion]

I could be wrong, but I am am fairly sure you are looking at part #7, except that the one you have has come apart in a way it shouldn't because of corrosion.

 

[JZeld]

I could be wrong, but I am am fairly sure you are looking at part #7, except that the one you have has come apart in a way it shouldn't because of corrosion.

I think it is a separate seal that comes with the motor. The existing mechanical seal seems intact and matches completely the replacement mechanical seal. I'll do some more digging on the Internet and see if I can locate it. if anyone knows what it is/where I can get it, your help would be much appreciated.

 

[JZeld]

Also, anyone know what the build-up is in the motor? Is that minerals/pool chemicals leaching in? Is this commonplace? Thanks for the help.

 

[swimcmp]

The arrow is pointing to a water slinger. Designed to keep water from migrating into the bearing.

 

[JZeld]

The arrow is pointing to a water slinger. Designed to keep water from migrating into the bearing.

Thanks Swimcmp! Ordered and will hopefully have shortly.