AO Smith QC1102 impeller

[skydude]

I think the impeller of my AO Smith pump is clogged up. I tried to remove debris with a screwdriver from the input side of the pump, but there still seems to be debris surrounding the impeller. I live in the desert and we have a Palo Verde tree that shed a ton of leaves last night in a rare winter storm.

What is the best way of removing the debris from this type of set up short of removing the entire pump assembly?

 

[JamesW]

AO Smith is the motor. For any pump, you remove the bolts that hold the motor assembly into the housing. Then you pull back the motor and impeller assembly. Remove the diffuser to access the impeller.

Don't remove the 4 bolts that hold the motor to the seal plate.

What pump do you have?

 

[skydude]

- - - Updated - - -

I hope that photo helps!

 

[JamesW]

That's just the motor.

Do you have a picture of the whole pump?

 

[mknauss]

That's the motor. What PUMP do you have?

 

[skydude]

I hope this helps

 

[JamesW]

First, turn off the power at the breaker and switch.

Remove the stainless steel band clamp and separate the two parts. Remove the diffuser to access the impeller.

Clean the impeller out without removing it. Make sure that power is off at the breaker. A wire can be useful to clear the impeller vanes.

Reassemble. Clean and lube the orings to make reassembly easier. You might need new orings or a new seal if they're in bad shape.

There should be a metal tag at the top of the pump with a model number stamped in the metal.

 

[skydude]

Thanks JamesW!! I got home this morning from a trip and followed your instructions. Worked perfectly. I found a bunch of palo verde needles/leaves jammed into the impeller. Took me around 30 minutes and the pump is working perfectly again!

 

[JamesW]

Good job. Thanks for the update.