Loud noise diagnosis help needed: Pentair IntelliFlo VSF

[JotaDe]

Hi folks,

My 2 year old pump started getting loud within the last week. I'm wondering if it's impeller related and maybe I need to replace the bearings. I've seen some good videos on YouTube on how to disassemble these pumps, and now just need to know what I should purchase on top of new gaskets. Hoping If anyone is familiar with the cause of the sound I'd much appreciate hearing from you. Additionally, there is paint peeling off part of the motor and I'm curious if it's just cosmetic of indicative or another issue with the pump I'll have to deal with.

 

[JamesW]

The video does not work.

There is probably a seal leak, which has probably caused the bearing to fail.

 

[JotaDe]

Strange, it plays fine while embedded for me.

Appreciate the response.

 

[JamesW]

Ok, now it works.

Probably bad bearings due to a seal leak.

 

[JotaDe]

Makes sense, I'll plan on picking up new bearings and seal replacement kit today. Thanks James!

 

[Flying Tivo]

By the corrosion that is visible, your seal has been leaking for quite some time. If you are going to replace, try to eliminate as much corrosion and repaint the motor.

 

[JotaDe]

Sounds right. Was digging in a bit on your comment and it looks like corrosion can occur from a leaking seal and/or proper grounding. Any particular paint used for this type of hardware?

 

[mknauss]

Please update your signature. This pump is not shown on the signature. Thank you.

 

[JotaDe]

I’m not finding much info on pool pump corrosion cleaning on YouTube. I plan to wire brush the housing and clean off as much corrosion and peeling paint as I can. Then paint it with some weather resistant outdoor paint.

I did notice when I removed the unit that the bolts holding the housing seemed pretty loose and the gasket is in good condition. I wonder if it just wasn’t tightened to torque specs. Anyway I have bearings and gaskets on order for the job.

 

[JotaDe]

Got it opened up and the level of corrosion seems insane. Hard to tell if it’s salvageable, but it was running so keeping fingers crossed

 

[JotaDe]

Gave it a good once over with a steel brush. I’ll see how much I can get off before repainting. Guessing this is why it was noisy though lol.

 

[Flying Tivo]

Are you manually chlorinating or do you have an injection system? The corrosion seams excesive for a simple leak. Can you post a picture of your equipment pad?

 

[Flying Tivo]

corrosion can occur from a leaking seal and/or proper grounding

I would look further on the grounding and make sure its correct.

 

[JotaDe]

Hi. I use a chlorination and tablets. Here are some pics of the pad setup.

 

[JotaDe]

I’ll have to research. I don’t know if my pad is properly grounded or not. I assumed it was after the install.

 

[Flying Tivo]

I ask all this because 2 years is a very short time to have that amount of corrosion unless; grounding, injecting liquid acid or chlorine before the pump. All your pictures seams ok.

 

[JamesW]

A seal leak can cause that much corrosion.

The regular seal is not very good.

One you begin to sling water everywhere, corrosion happens very quickly.

The metal is aluminum or magnesium, which can corrode quite quickly under the right or wrong conditions.

The regular seal has a plastic primary ring, which wears out fast.

The "Ozone/Salt" seal is significantly better.

The ozone salt rated seal has a carbon primary ring, which lasts a lot longer.

The primary ring is the part of the seal that has direct contact with the ceramic part of the seal.

The ozone/salt rated seal also has a polished ceramic face, which is a lot smoother than the regular unpolished ceramic part.

 

[JotaDe]

I’m containing to disassemble and get to the bearings and I noticed this grounding piece. I don’t believe any grounding wire was attached to it from the pool company. I didn’t even realize it was there until I took the pump apart for disassembly.

 

[JotaDe]

I should get my bearing puller today and will have all I need for full front and rear bearing removal.

 

[JamesW]

That's the bond lug, which should be connected to the bond wire.