Searched forum with limited results. In my case the pump became clogged with needles from a cedar of Lebanon tree that passed through the filter baskets and clogged the impeller. The water was so hot the basket deformed and now the pump will not prime. I cleaned the impeller and replaced the motor seal. I cleaned the o-rings and ensured they are in place. Still it will not prime. What have I missed (other than replacing the pump)? Pump is a Star-Rite Max E.
Pump clogged. Water hot enough to deform plastic strainer.
- Thread starter Dug320
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 66,487
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If the basket deformed then other parts probably warped. You probably need a new wet end or new pump.
@1poolman1 thoughts?
@1poolman1 thoughts?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 17,130
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
One tip for you is to use hairnets in your skimmers. Might save you a pool pump in the future. You can weight them down with a rock (MAKE SURE IT IS BIGGER THAN YOUR SKIMMER PIPE).
The needles don't float and came in through the main drain. I forgot to add the filter is in recirculation mode.
I hope this does not shift the post to much. I was looking at the parts list for my Sta-Rite Max-E and noticed a listing for a diffusor that is not present on my pump. It is needed?
- May 27, 2021
- 1,409
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
ABS has a heat deflection temp of 88-90C or 190F. If the wet end got hot enough to flash boil water at 100C/212F due to lack of circulation why wouldn’t it deform? If the water in the pump was 100C/212F, other parts (impeller, seals, etc) are certainly hotter than the boiling point of water and the heat deflection temp of ABS.If the wet end is ABS it should be able to handle 100C without deforming.
Your pump is not ABS, it is a proprietary plastic and can handle the heat from very hot water. If the pump ran long enough to deform the basket, it also damaged the seal (a burned seal will cause a pump to not prime) and, depending on which Sta-Rite Max-E-Glass pump it is, may have damaged the sealplate. It also, likely, warped the lid, which is clear PVC. The heat will cause the inlet fitting to shrink unless it is a newer hi-temp union (even a CPVC nipple will deform). That will cause an air leak to the extent that a pump won't prime. These are all things that have to be checked when this happens.
All Max-E-Glass pumps have a diffuser, as do all inground pumps. Most above-ground pumps do not have them.
A picture would be good.
It is possible that you have a Max-E-Glass 1, Max-E-Glass 2, Max-E-Glass Pro
All Max-E-Glass pumps have/require a diffuser. Which model do you have, Max-E-Glass? Max-E-Glass 2/Pro?