Jandy VSSHP220AUT Knocking/not priming, kaput?

[Jared07]

Hello All! Longtime lurker and first time post(Emergency-ish). Couldn’t get the video to upload but it’s included at the Imgur link below.

Link Removed - Mod - Request to add Video to YouTube

The Pool pump seems to be stuck priming and making a knocking noise. We had the pump on this afternoon with no issues while swimming and as I walked around the house noticed the knocking noise.

Attempted to restart and the aqualink app says priming and we just get the knocking noise. I turned it off and reattempted once for the video. haven’t tried since as I don’t want to do any additional damage.

Valves are locked so should not have been moved but pics just in case you notice something odd

I have a bad feeling about the pump but wanted to see what you guys/gals think before assuming the worse. The fact that it occurred after a normal startup at some point during a normal pool day for the kids makes me think it is something substantial. Just moved to the house 3 months ago and it’s been working flawlessly. Serviced by a local pool company and pool is 5 yrs old.

Thanks!!

 

[Jared07]

Apologies; YouTube link for vid here:

 

[HermanTX]

It was hard to see in video - is your pump basket full of water when you did that video?

Also on the iAquaLink app - there is a button for Speed Adjustment - basically you can change the pump speed to any of the preset speeds you set up initially. Have you tried a different (lower) speed and still have the same sound?

 

[Jared07]

It’s about half full; I filled it with a water hose but lost some water to the inlet pipe. The basket was pretty clogged so I emptied that out then filled with water. I’ll try changing the speed to lower, topping off with water and restart.

 

[Jared07]

No luck thus far. It’s going longer before dying down but the knocking noise seems louder on startup than I’ve noticed before (might be my mind playing tricks). Usually we just start on the app and I don’t stand by the pump.

 

[mknauss]

If the basket was clogged, check your impeller. You likely should separate the wet end from the motor to check it.

 

[Jared07]

I can reach in and feel the impeller; free spinning, no debris and blades feel intact

 

[mknauss]

If nothing in the impeller, sounds like something is broke.

Next step is to pull it apart and look.

 

[Jared07]

That’s what I was afraid of. Thank you for the troubleshooting steps. I’ll see if the pool company can come out tomorrow.

 

[1poolman1]

I can reach in and feel the impeller; free spinning, no debris and blades feel intact

Sounds like something stuck in the fan. Impeller can be clogged and can't be felt through the front.

 

[Jared07]

Sounds like something stuck in the fan. Impeller can be clogged and can't be felt through the front.

Interesting, I found the schematics / manual and may attempt breaking down a little more tomorrow to check the fan and impeller. Would you say this is pretty straight forward for a pool novice but relatively proficient DIY type person?

Breaking open a pool pump seems intimidating but I’d rather not waste further $ on pool service. We are pretty close to dumping them thanks to TFP and feeling more comfy with the chemicals.

 

[Jared07]

Not something I want to tackle in the dark with a headlamp (New Orleans area and the mosquitoes do not mess around / lighting kind of sucks on that side of the house)

 

[1poolman1]

Interesting, I found the schematics / manual and may attempt breaking down a little more tomorrow to check the fan and impeller. Would you say this is pretty straight forward for a pool novice but relatively proficient DIY type person?

Breaking open a pool pump seems intimidating but I’d rather not waste further $ on pool service. We are pretty close to dumping them thanks to TFP and feeling more comfy with the chemicals.

Don't need to remove the motor, remove bolts holding the sealplate (motor mounted to it) from the body (I believe there are 8) and pump will separate. There is a shroud over the impeller (diffuser) that has two very small bolts that hold it to the sealplate, don't lose them, very hard to get and expensive. There may be something stuck between the two parts of the impeller. You should get a new gasket or put a layer of silicone in the slot where the old one sits and put the gasket in it. Check the fan at the rear of the motor before opening the pump, you may save yourself some work.

 

[generessler]

Another thing to check when taking things apart is the aluminum bits that bolt onto the seal plate. I had a Pentair pump with a tiny invisible leak that over a long time ate away the motor mounting bell. Surprise! Water corrodes aluminum to white powder. Finally, the motor canted enough for the impeller to contact the diffuser. It made a noise like the video.

 

[Jared07]

Awesome advice and I can’t thank you guys enough for sharing the knowledge. Sounds like I’ll have a fun Sunday! Keep ya posted on how it goes. Sounds very manageable with sunlight and a decent nights sleep.

 

[Jared07]

Solved…kind of. Diagnosis from pool company is drive/motor is bad and recommend a new pump.

 

[Jared07]

So my Jandy VSSHP220AUT bit the dust (bad drive/motor) and recommendation is new pump. Quotes from 2 companies are:

Company 1: VSSHP220DV2A replacement 2439.00 installed this Thursday). Very highly rated local company, albeit more expensive.

Company 2: quote lists 2.2HP VSP pump (no brand nor model # at this time) $2150.00 installed this Wednesday. Communication has been subpar and I’m waiting for them to confirm the brand/model assuming it is Jandy as I requested the same make/model since the whole system is Jandy. This company did the diagnosis and is our weekly pool maintenance company inherited from previous owners (new home and new to pools…planning on taking over chemicals as we get settled in and learn a bit).

Company 3: I found a VSSHP270DV2A (new) from a reputable eBay seller for 1570.00 and it looks relatively straightforward to swap out. It’s a 2.7HP compared to the 2.2 we have and I’m not sure how that will affect the system. I assume I can manage with the variable speeds to make it work. I am unsure if a Jandy warranty will be valid through eBay purchase /self install.

Any recommendations on the options above or things I’m not thinking of. This is New Orleans area and it seems the pool companies are overwhelmed with work.

Thanks!

 

[Jared07]

Additional existing components : Aquapure PLC1400 / Aqualink RS-8

 

[generessler]

I really can't give advice except to say that I did my own similar replacement with Pentair equipment and am happy I did.

Here's a retail price similar to your ebay. Depending on details of your plumbing (i.e. the amount of re-plumbing needed) and your skills, it's. 1/2 to 3 hours of work and usually just miscellaneous PVC fittings, pipe, and glue for ~ $30. I'm all for paying a fair rate for skilled work, but $800 (plus whatever wholesale markdown they get) for this job is a lot.

The warranty situation is definitely worth running down. Pentair sells "EC" (e-commerce) versions of pumps that are exactly the same as ones sold to professionals (so they say) but with a crippled warranty: either 1 or 2 years parts only. I decided to go this route. I know that won't be everyone's best alternative.

Good luck with it

 

[Jared07]

Thanks for the input. It does seem very steap for what looks like plug and play. Service call itself is 150$ of the additional charge. The fittings currently in there are collared and just screw into the existing pump. Trying to run down the schematics on replacement pump to make sure it is “plug and play”. I feel like if it’s the same dimensions this is an hour job at most.

I haven’t done PVC/plumbing work in the past but have managed fairly well on basic DIY home projects and think I could succeed with this if it’s not a simple swap. It should screw out/in with simple electrical rewiring but still confirming the exact size.

From what I can find there is no warranty unless it’s a Jandy installer in which case it’s 3 years. eBay offers 30 days. This in itself has me leaning towards the Jandy authorized installer (Company 1). I like the feeling of having someone to call if something goes sideways in 3 years.