*Pre-install & maintenance advice for 3hp intelliflo VSF, replace OEM shaft seals with PS-1905?

[lightandvideo]

Planning to install a new 3hp intelliflo VSF I purchased last year to replace our current 2HP Hayward single speed skimmer pump after this pool season, (will allow me to run skimmer more hours at lower RPM), *would it be crazy or good idea to swap out the brand new OEM shaft seal with one of the PS-1905 seals before I install this new pump?

Also I am thinking to overhaul our current identical 3hp VSF pump that has been in service for 3-4 years, this pump is running great and not leaking currently, but I was thinking to be proactive to install the PS-1905, new gaskets, anti-seize all the bolts, etc., is this a good or bad idea to do proactive pump overhaul?

After reading advice here I was planning to anti-seize all the bolts on the new pump before installing anyway, so I was thinking it wouldn’t be too much more trouble to open it up, fresh lube all the gaskets, and can install PS-1905 shaft seal, hoping to maximize lifespan and serviceability of this new pump, does this sound like a good plan?

I am hoping after installing the PS-1905 seals on all my pumps I can just watch them for leaks and hopefully get a lot of years out of them before servicing again, but wanted to ask is anyone here doing preventative pump overhauls every few years? How often should I be doing preventative overhauls if PS-1905 seals are installed in my pumps?

Any advice greatly appreciated,
Happy 4th!

 

[ajw22]

I would not touch seals on a new pump or that are not leaking.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Light,

Yes.. You are crazy...

I have three IntelliFlo pumps that have been running 24/7 for well over 10 years.. They all have the original factory seals and none of them have never leaked a drop.

And... yes, I still think you are crazy...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[lightandvideo]

Haha thanks Jim! I will leave the OEM seal and swap it out in the future if it leaks, thanks again!

 

[lightandvideo]

Also, wanted to share these photos of original OEM shaft seals in a 2018 manufacture date 2hp Whisperflo pump I am overhauling that caused my concerns that led to my original post and my purchasing the PS-1905 shaft seals. You can see the OEM shaft seal on the impeller is cracking on all sides and the seal plate side has a good amount of scale and wear after under 5 years of operation, the motor bolts were not completely frozen but I did hit them with kroil penetrating oil before breaking them out, and I had a good amount of scale on the bottom motor bolts, also there was heavy scale/electrolysis decay on the cap on the impeller side of the motor needing a lot of work cleaning and repainting, motor bearings were functional but I decided to replace the bearings while I had the motor dismantled,

I bought this used whisperflo locally for a good price and was told by the original owner it was removed from service a year ago fully functional zero issues when he upgraded to intelliflo, (this overhauled whisperflo is replacing an ancient spa jets pump that recently died)

I’m not sure if the pool water chemistry was neglected or what caused the shaft seal leaks, but I’m guessing rapid shaft seal failure is common here in Las Vegas from our hard water & extreme temperatures,

With over $5k in pumps on our pool and after overhauling the corrosion damage on this motor, I was thinking preventative maintenance might be a good idea to avoid motor damage and corrosion issues,

This is great if I can do less work on my pumps, but I’m curious if these photos of 4-5 year old OEM seals change your opinion on swapping out the OEM shaft seals with PS-1905? Or if there is anyone recommending preventative seal replacement prior to leaks/failure?

 

[mknauss]

My Intelliflo has been operating for coming up on 10 years here in Laughlin. Higher ambient temperatures than Las Vegas and same water.

I would leave well enough alone until you need to address something.

 

[lightandvideo]

update, after removing the shaft seal from the impeller on the WFE-8 whisperflo I am rebuilding I realized the impeller seal was damaged/melted to the impeller, so apparently the seller didn’t disclose or was unaware the pump had run dry at some point causing the shaft seal damage resulting in the motor leak, this gives me full confidence we should be ok with the original OEM shaft seals in our intelliflo pumps! (as long as they don’t run dry!)

Luckily I paid a low price for the used WFE-8 pump and found a new OEM 073130 impeller on eBay for under $40, with new PS-1905 shaft seal, timken bearings, OEM seal/o-ring kit, CMP unions, RTV silicone, rustoleum almond color gloss enamel paint, without labor I’m all-in around $400 materials cost on this pump, looking great now, should be very reliable as a spa jets pump when it’s done and was a valuable learning experience rebuilding this, thanks again for everyone’s time and advice, much appreciated!