Is my pump dead?

[FlaPoolGuy]

Hi everyone, and thank you all for your awesome pool knowledge!

I came home from work today, and I noticed my pool wasn't running. It is set to run from before I return until about 10 PM, local time. I went outside to the pool pump/filter area, and I hear a strange humming. It was coming from the pump. The pump was too hot to touch for more than an instant. Then the noise stopped and a few seconds later it started again. Like it was resetting itself or something. There was also a burning smell coming from the pump. I turned off the pump at the intermatic timer and removed the timing screws so it can't turn itself on anymore.

I have not done any maintenance on the pump other than occasionally emptying the filter basket (rarely has enough in it to even cover the bottom), and lubricating the seals from time to time.

Is there something I can do to fix it/test it? I've been meaning to upgrade for awhile, but I'm not excited about having time pressure to get it done.

Thanks for your help/advice in advance!

 

[Texas Splash]

There are a few possibilities:
- Something wrapped around your impeller (tangled) and is preventing the motor shaft from moving freely. Check with power OFF.
- A capacitor is going (or has gone) bad.
- Motor winding are worn and motor simply giving out.

How old is your pump/motor?

 

[FlaPoolGuy]

I don't know. It came with the house. It's a single speed pump, so probably on the old side.

 

[Texas Splash]

It's a single speed pump, so probably on the old side.

Oh yes, that's an open invitation to get a new pump. Variable speeds are all the rage and prices more competitive. But a good 2-speed can also work. So you have options.

 

[Diggy77]

With pump power off, try manually turning the motor shaft. Accessible on the rear of many pool pumps. Did it feel stuck, then turned after you gave it some strength?

 

[FlaPoolGuy]

With the pump powered off, it removed from the end of the pump a plastic piece labeled "shaft access". Under it was I assume the shaft (its the metal piece of the left of the first picture?). It turned easy peasy. No resistance. I turned the pump back on and got that buzzing sound again for 1 second before turning it off again.

Next, I took off the two screws (they both broke off unfortunately), over what appears to be the power access area (picture above, right side). These wires look a bit dirty but in pretty good shape overall.

Next, I looked at the top. Here's a close up of the very large capacitor under the top cover piece:


I think the capacitor itself looks ok as there is no burning, bulging, or discolorations on it, but I haven't tested it. Also, I note the brown "looks like it burned" area to the right of where the capacitor cover screws onto the motor area. There's a matching "burned brown" area on the other side.


Here is the cover for the capacitor back in its original position (resting there, not screwed back in place). This view below shows the opposite side as the above. (there's the "pentair pool products" sticker on this side):


So I have "burned brown" stuff on both sides of the capacitor cover. Does that mean there was a some kind of fire or something inside the motor compartment?

Thanks again for your help everyone!

-FPG

 

[Texas Splash]

Burned or rust. Hard to tell. That pump/motor has seen its better days, but you certainly can try to replace the capacitor(s) is you want. They are fairly cheap. You have one on top and might have one at the rear of the motor as well.

 

[FlaPoolGuy]

I decided against trying to revive this motor. I'm going to do the right thing and upgrade to a variable speed pump.

 

[Texas Splash]

Good luck! Hope it all works out well.