need some new pump advice from the gurus

[punchachy]

I have a very standard pool pump/motor/filter setup currently. (see photos and signature) I had to put new pump seals last year and they are leaking badly again already. The pump always has trouble priming (over a minute) so we just ran it 24/7. But now that the seal is leaking so bad, we have been shutting it off during peak hours. Now the wife says it will not prime at all, so I'm assuming the impeller is fried. The motor seems to run OK but is very old. My question is do I keep throwing parts at this old pump (can't even read the label for model/ser #) and keep using the same motor? Or do I bite the bullet and get a whole new pump and motor setup. Pretty sure its 120V but I will double check when I get home. I don't have any control system. I was thinking MAYBE a heater in the future but not right now. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Bill1974]

Cheap in the short term is to put new seals in it. $20 or less most likely if you can do it. There are plenty of youtube videos showing how to do this.

Cheaper in the long run would be to replace it with a variable speed pump, but that is much more up front. Unless electric is very cheap it would probably pay for itself in 4 or 5 years. There may also be some incentives to make the cost less.

 

[1poolman1]

I have a very standard pool pump/motor/filter setup currently. (see photos and signature) I had to put new pump seals last year and they are leaking badly again already. The pump always has trouble priming (over a minute) so we just ran it 24/7. But now that the seal is leaking so bad, we have been shutting it off during peak hours. Now the wife says it will not prime at all, so I'm assuming the impeller is fried. The motor seems to run OK but is very old. My question is do I keep throwing parts at this old pump (can't even read the label for model/ser #) and keep using the same motor? Or do I bite the bullet and get a whole new pump and motor setup. Pretty sure its 120V but I will double check when I get home. I don't have any control system. I was thinking MAYBE a heater in the future but not right now. Thanks in advance for any advice!

If the seal has leaked for a while the motor bearings are soon to follow. At the very least it is time for a new motor as well. You have to take the pump that far apart to replace the seal, so it is a good time. A Nidec Neptune NPTT of appropriate hp would be a good choice to give you VSP at about half the cost. Need to get he number off the impeller to know which model motor.

 

[punchachy]

If the seal has leaked for a while the motor bearings are soon to follow. At the very least it is time for a new motor as well. You have to take the pump that far apart to replace the seal, so it is a good time. A Nidec Neptune NPTT of appropriate hp would be a good choice to give you VSP at about half the cost. Need to get he number off the impeller to know which model motor.

I did get it to prime by running a garden hose into the pump basket for a few minutes to "prime the lines". I'd say it is operating at about 85%. Should I just limp through the rest of the season or go ahead and pull the trigger and get a new one?

 

[1poolman1]

I did get it to prime by running a garden hose into the pump basket for a few minutes to "prime the lines". I'd say it is operating at about 85%. Should I just limp through the rest of the season or go ahead and pull the trigger and get a new one?

Prices are only going up. The pump may completely fail at a time you rally need it to work, like a party. The lines are always full to the level of the pool, you can't fill them beyond that with a hose. A bad seal will prevent a pump from priming.
Your pool, your money, your choice.