Pentair Intelliflo 2 VST 2017 model motor making noise

[joel1618]

So like the title says, the motor is making noise. The current Pentair intelliflo 2 vst offering is a 3 year warranty. Pentair is saying that my 2017 model only had a 2 year warranty at the time (i'm at 2 years 9 months). Anyone experience this with them? $1200 pump going out in 2 years is super annoying especially when they're not honoring the 3 year warranty that they claim.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
To my knowledge, to get a 3 year warranty on Pentair products, you must install 3 separate items at once using a professional installer. If you install less than 3 items, you get the 2 year warranty. If you install yourself, you get a 60 day warranty (excluding SWCG Cell replacement, that is 2 years)
Describe more the noise or post a video/audio of it. Some of our pump experts may have some ideas.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

 

[joel1618]

Welcome to the forum!
To my knowledge, to get a 3 year warranty on Pentair products, you must install 3 separate items at once using a professional installer. If you install less than 3 items, you get the 2 year warranty. If you install yourself, you get a 60 day warranty (excluding SWCG Cell replacement, that is 2 years)
Describe more the noise or post a video/audio of it. Some of our pump experts may have some ideas.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

Thanks mknauss,
Here's a video of the sound it's making.

IMG-9503.MOV

drive.google.com

 

[mknauss]

I am sure others may have more ideas, but I would check the impeller for debris. Turn the power off at the breaker before checking.

It appears to me you also may have a suction side leak.

Is your filter pressure normal?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Joel,

Could be anything of course, but it sounds like the cooling fan blade is touching the screen in the back.

Marty is spot on as far as warranty goes.

What you are hearing is not normal.. I have three IntelliFlo pumps.. 11 years old, 8 years old, and 6 years old.. None of them have had any issues... (Knock n wood)

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[joel1618]

Thank you guys. I'll check the impeller for debri as well as the fan blade on the back. May just need to take it apart and troubleshoot. I think filter pressure is good. I do have a suction side leak that I haven't been able to locate but is something on the list. I've used dye but haven't been able to find it yet. Thanks for ya'lls help. I'll get back on the results of my troubleshooting.

 

[joel1618]

So i took it all apart. Impeller was fine, fan was fine, the motor itself was the part making the noise. I went ahead and bought a pentair superflo vs as I needed to get the pool going. I think the intelliflo needs a new motor. The shaft seal looked pretty bad as well. It's my fault as the pump had run dry a few times over the last few years and I think that's what did it in. This time I'll watch it closely and make sure it never runs dry. Thanks for ya'lls help!

 

[mknauss]

The Superflo VS is a much lower hp pump that does not hook up to automation. So be ware of that. Do you have a spa, water features, etc? Do you have automation?

 

[joel1618]

Thanks mknauss, I do not need it to connect to automation. The pool is old (built in 1992) and only has 1 suction and 2 returns of 1.5 inch in size. No water features or spa to speak of. The intelliflo was way over powered (put in by a 'pro' but recommended because in my area there is a $150/hp rebate). So far so good with the superflo and this time hopefully I won't run it dry and cause problems. I could probably get away with a .5 hp single speed with my pool but of course with the variable speed I get the energy savings so wanted to go that route again.

 

[joel1618]

So for anyone else looking in the future it ended up that the bearings in the motor were toast. The shaft seal had leaked and water got into the pump, corroded the bearings, and that is was caused the noise. Replacing the bearings in the pump fixed the issue.