Pentair intelliflo, squealing noise at speeds 3 and 4

[JamesW]

Open it up and check the diffuser gasket. There are multiple videos on YouTube that show how to take it apart and what to expect. The Whisperflo is the same except for the motor. So, you can watch a video of the Whisperflo as well.

Basically, just remove the 6 outer bolts and pull back the motor and drive assembly.

Do not remove the 4 bolts that hold the motor to the seal plate.

 

[JimMarshall]

Open it up and check the diffuser gasket. There are multiple videos on YouTube that show how to take it apart and what to expect. The Whisperflo is the same except for the motor. So, you can watch a video of the Whisperflo as well.

Basically, just remove the 6 outer bolts and pull back the motor and drive assembly.

Do not remove the 4 bolts that hold the motor to the seal plate.

So I won't be able to check on this without taking something apart? That explains why I couldn't fine anything before.

 

[sktn77a]

Where is the noise coming from - impeller end? Basket cover? Motor end? Plumbing?

Were you able to figure this out?

 

[JimMarshall]

Were you able to figure this out?

It seems to be coming from the area of the basket/impeller but I was unable to determine that with any degree of confidence

 

[JamesW]

Are you not comfortable opening it up?

 

[JimMarshall]

Are you not comfortable opening it up?

I have no issues opening it, watched a video and saw it is immensely easy. Now I just need it to quit raining for a couple hours

 

[JamesW]

You should get a new diffuser gasket in case you need it when you open the pump.

 

[JimMarshall]

You should get a new diffuser gasket in case you need it when you open the pump.

It’s a brand new pump. If something is wrong with it I’m documenting and contacting the place I bought it from

 

[JimMarshall]

Opened up the pump as suggested, found it looking like this, not the diffuser o ring.




Pulled my cartridge out of the filter housing......

 

[JamesW]

So, no noise with the filter cartridge removed?

Does the line from the pump go into the filter Inlet?

 

[JimMarshall]

So, no noise with the filter cartridge removed?

Does the line from the pump go into the filter Inlet?

Yes, it’s not backwards unfortunately.

As stated in an earlier post, this filter has a max flow rating of 70 GPM.

From the brochure for the Intelliflo, that is right around what the pump makes at speed 2, which is coincidentally when the noise starts

 

[JamesW]

No noise with the cartridge removed?

 

[JimMarshall]

No noise with the cartridge removed?

Correct. No noise without the cartridge

 

[JamesW]

Probably, the rubber parts of the end holes in the cartridge don't fit very tightly and allow water to push past.

Maybe a defective cartridge or too much pressure.

 

[JimMarshall]

Any suggestions on a new filter?

 

[JamesW]

Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420.

Note: At this point, we are not completely sure what is causing the noise.

 

[Chuckiechan]

I FINALLY got my new VSP wired for my AGP. Turned it on tonight, and I get a loud squealing noise at high speeds. My initial thought is perhaps an air leak? Interested to hear other opinions though

I got a new Pentair VSF and it did the same thing. They are going to replace the motor v

 

[JimMarshall]

Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420.

Note: At this point, we are not completely sure what is causing the noise.

James, the same noise arises at virtually any speed if I shut the valves on my return lines.

Based off of the troubleshooting I’m doing, I’m 100% confident that the issue is that the filter isn’t allowing enough flow. Especially with the fact that after a couple weeks as the filter was getting dirty, the noise started at lower and lower speeds

 

[JimMarshall]

@JamesW @Jimrahbe, any other suggestions on the new filter? Or is the clean and clear plus basically the gold standard?

I had hoped to not have to spend that much extra on a filter after just buying a new pump

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jim,

It this were my pool, I would just run the pump at a speed where it makes no noise... and not buy a new filter, at least for now.. 90% of the time I run my pool at 1200 RPM and it works great. You know you can set the speeds to what you want, you don't have to use the default RPM..

I know you have decided it is a filter problem, and it may be... But, there are a ton of other people who have that same pump with relatively small filters and they do not seem to have an issue.

I can't help but wonder if the fact that you have an APG has anything to do with it?? (Grasping at straws here..) Normally the suction side is.. well, sucking... But with an APG you would think it would be under pressure from the water in the pool.. Not sure that would be an issue or not but if this were my pool something I would be looking at..

Is the cartridge in your original filter old?

Thanks,

Jim R.