***PLEASE HELP***Pump sounds like a vacuum!

[Ecjaustin]

Hey all, thanks in advance for any and all replies.

I've been a pool owner for about a year now. 30k gallon salt water, in ground.

I have a Hayward Pump, this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00198CW7G/ref=asc_df_B00198CW7G5081096/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00198CW7G&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198092864586&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10249962443688332896&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008490&hvtargid=pla-318652975350

Ever since I moved in, the pump has made a noise like little pebbles are banging around in it. Didn't think much of it, as it was not all the time, and it was not that loud.

I came home yesterday and the pump sounds like a really loud vacuum. The filter is holding pressure, the pump is holding prime and water is circulating nicely.

Any idea what this could be? The previous owner stated that the pump was replaced in Sept '15.

Thank you!!!

 

[Swampwoman]

Welcome. Its hard to dx from here but noise usually equals bad bearings. With the heat wave of late, I'd get a tech out to look at it as you don't want it to go down completely.

With that said, I'm no mechanical expert and perhaps others will chime in.

I just know that sound = bad in the world of pumps

 

[thebombardier]

Typically if the pump is making a loud whining/whirring noise, the bearings are going out. It is possible to open the motor and press new bearings on the armature, but it quite a difficult job for the layman requiring a few specialty tools. Plus more than likely, if the bearings are going out, the motor rods that hold the motor together are seized into the rear bell housing. That's because what causes the bearings to go out is a bad shaft seal leaking water into the motor.

The easier (but more expensive) job would be swapping the motor out. You'll need a Century UST1152, a Hayward SPX1600Z2, and while you're at it might as well replace the diffuser gasket (SPX1600R) and housing gasket (SPX1600T).

For future reference, especially with salt water, occasionally inspect the pump to see if water is dripping out from the bottom of the pump between the motor and the pump housing. That's indicative of a bad shaft seal.