Bottom of my Pool Pump is Leaking. How do I fix it?

[jblizzle]

Well, if the piece came out of the housing and the part is stuck in the impeller ... you could just buy a new impeller as the cheapest option.

You could also likely save a little electricity by getting a smaller (1HP) impeller so the motor does not have to work as hard ... it does not appear like you have anything that requires the higher flow rates of the 1.5HP motor (no spa, waterfall, etc).

If $ is an issue like you previously state, that would be the cheapest path forward.

Does the motor turn easily and quietly? I see a little rust on the bottom of the motor so wondering if the bearing might be going bad. In the future, you could replace the motor with a 1HP 2-speed and save even more money on electricity by running on low speed.

 

[poolrookie22]

I don't know how to see if the motor "turns", sorry I am a real rookie with this stuff. The motor definitely isn't quiet, but not the loudest thing I've ever heard either. Money is definitely an issue, but I want something that should last for a while as well. In terms of waterfall, I can have it so that water comes out of the pot you see in the picture which is like a mini waterfall. My friend is an electrician but not really a pool guy, I'll ask him tomorrow, but basically it was the lower seal he was looking to replace where the drip was coming from in my original post.

Also, I'm the one who did this about 6 months ago, when I ran the pump dry by accident. It leaked a little after and more ever since, to the point too much water is now coming out of the pool and I can't run my skimmer, unless I fill up the pool with some water every 3-4 days. So it's something I'll want to take care of shortly.

Maybe it just makes sense to do a new cheaper but good pump now, and then later if the motor goes out replace it then as well? I'm not broke, but would like to avoid $600 or so in costs if i was to replace the whisperflo with the same thing and then labor since my friend I'm not sure can replace it.

 

[jblizzle]

If you confirm that the stuck part is in the impeller, then just get a 1HP impeller and put the new seal kit that you should already have on it and use the motor you have now.

If it gets louder or dies in the future, then you can get a new 1HP 2-speed motor at that time for likely less than $300.

This all assumes that there is nothing wrong with the wet end of the pump (i.e. everything except the motor).

 

[poolrookie22]

If I can't confirm it then what new pump do you recommend?

 

[jblizzle]

A 3/4HP or 1HP 2-speed. Lots to choose from, but it is best to stick with the same voltage you currently have (115V or 230V). Looks like the pump you have could be wired either way, so you would have to check the wiring/breakers to confirm which voltage.

If 230V, I would suggest the Pentair Superflo 1HP 2-speed as the cheapest (~$400).
If 115V, I would suggest either the Superflo 3/4HP 2-speed or the larger Whisperflo 3/4HP 2-speed.

There are +/- for each choice, like whether the pipes line up and whether they use unions which would be easier for later service.

The smaller the pump, the cheaper the cost to buy and run.