Build up of something on my pump???

[HKGilbert]

What is this white stuff on my pump? My husband thinks it’s chlorine buildup? I’ve been in the slam process since June 6, (didn’t consistently keep levels at slam level the entire time). I was using too much chlorine at one point because I bleached my liner. I also have a couple of pump fittings dripping, waiting for husband to fix . Please tell me my pump isn’t failing. New last year.

 

[TinFoilHat]

It looks like it's pool water seeping out. That could be calcium deposits if you have hard water.

 

[HKGilbert]

It looks like it's pool water seeping out. That could be calcium deposits if you have hard water.

We have very soft water?

 

[HKGilbert]

We have soft water. Pool was filled last year and I’ve been working on turning it from a swamp to clear this summer. I added CYA on Sunday and have been slamming for weeks. Could finally see the bottom today! Water also tastes salty which seems weird since I don’t use swg. What would cause the water to seep through? Is it fixable?

 

[wireform]

Has nothing to do with slamming and chlorine. Not sure of the pump you have but when the seals start failing you have water intrusion where it doesn't belong. Let that go too much longer and it'll corrode the pump beyond and get into the bearings.

 

[HKGilbert]

My pump is Hayward VL4T32 sand filter sys 0.5 hp. Any advice on how to fix?

 

[wireform]

I'd be certain that the pump outlet connections are water tight because that may be the source of the water creating your scenario.

 

[HKGilbert]

Sorry I’m kind of ignorant when it comes to the actual names of the pump/filter parts. Attaching image to show the two fittings that are dripping, we replaced the black hose about a month ago. The two that are dripping don’t drip where the corrosion/buildup is. I’ll check the black hose area again. I had trouble getting that thing back on when we replaced it because of the double nut thingy.

 

[wireform]

I would say area of concern is

 

[TinFoilHat]

The blue circled connection would have been the one that caused it if the leak isn't internal to the pump.

 

[HKGilbert]

Thank you!!!!

 

[HKGilbert]

Went and turned the pump off, lifted it up, and the leak is definitely coming from the bottom of the pump. Where the blue/green meets the black part…see photo…is this fixable?

 

[PoolStored]

It needs a new shaft seal and a go kit to replace all the o-rings.

Here is the parts:

VLX4008 - VL40 Pump Shaft Seal and Body O-Ring - Hayward

This is for a Hayward VLX4008 Pump Shaft Seal and Pump Body O-Ring for VL Series Sand Filters.

www.poolweb.com

This is a generic video on how to do it...

 

[HKGilbert]

Thank you!!!! Y’all are so awesome!!!

 

[wireform]

Don't wait too long and get it done before you need to rebuild the motor for a ceased bearing.

 

[HKGilbert]

Already ordered the part! It won’t be here until next week though . Upon further examination, it also appears to be leaking in another place… please see photo. I assume another Oring is needed here? Any idea what part I would need to replace that?

 

[PoolStored]

If you ordered what I posted, it has what you need. The shaft seal is the two smaller pieces that seal the motor shaft (original leak).

The larger O-ring, that comes with what I posted, goes where you pointed in you last post.

 

[HKGilbert]

Oh perfect. Thank you! Do you have any idea how I can prevent this from happening? The entire pool and filter/pump system was new last summer. We stored the pump in our outdoor storage building during the winter months. I’m just surprised I’m having to replace parts already.

 

[PoolStored]

Most of the AGP equipment is not very well made. You have a small pool and it may not warrant better equipment, but that may be the first answer.

Having said that, shaft seals wear out. I inspect my pool equipment weekly. With that much corrosion, that pump has not been inspected in a long time. Check every week for ANY leaks around your equipment and fix them promptly. Had the pump been inspected more often, you would have caught it earlier. There is not much you can do about it going bad, except catch it early. I always keep a spare set of o-rings and shaft seal for my pump in case I ever get a leak. It will be changed immediately.

The other thing is to listen for sound. If the pump sounds different or louder, something is going wrong.

Proactive inspection and maintenance is my best advice.

 

[HKGilbert]

Thank you! I still consider myself pretty new at this and I know next to nothing about mechanics. My husband cares nothing about a pool, so it’s on me to take care of it. Until last year all I ever had was the crappy intex cartridge filter. I’ve been all over that pump/filter though and didn’t notice the white stuff until a few days ago. It’s only been running about six weeks. But we’ve had problem after problem this summer. Hopefully I can figure out how to replace the seal and o ring when the part gets here and I’ll definitely start inspecting everything more carefully.