- 1. Shut off power at the breaker. ...
- 2. Remove pump diffuser. ...
- 3. Lubricate 4 through-bolts with WD-40. ...
- 4. Use a flathead screw driver and small hammer to loosen and pry off the front end bell .
- 5. If entire rotor does not come out, pry off the rear end bell.
- 6. Clean the bearings and look closely at the bearing number. ...
Full Answer
How do you lubricate a pool motor?
Certain parts of the motor, such as O-rings and bearings, benefit from periodic lubrication with a water-based lubricant. A grinding noise coming from the pump is the most common sign that your pool motor's bearing requires additional lubrication. Turn off the pool pump. Turn off the circuit breaker that directs electricity to the pump.
Should I repair or replace my pool pump motor?
When it comes to a failed pool pump motor, the pool owner is faced with that eternal question, “repair or replace?” The first thing to check is if it’s still under warranty. For a pump that still has the original motor, you would contact the manufacturer of the entire pump.
Why is my pool pump motor squealing?
Looking for pool parts? Click here to shop our store. It’s typical for a pool pump motor to make noises. However, a squealing motor is an early indication that the bearings are failing. In this article, we discuss how to find your replacement pool pump motor bearings using your motor part or catalog number.
How do you take apart a pool pump?
Turn off the pool pump. Turn off the circuit breaker that directs electricity to the pump. Loosen the pump's suction side and discharge side unions. Disconnect the pump from the pool's plumbing system. Move the pump to a flat surface where you can take it apart more easily. Separate the pump housing from the motor.
What causes a pool motor to short out?
How does a pool pump impeller affect the pump?
Why do bearings fail?
What is the difference between a pool pump and a lawnmower?
Why does my pool motor make noise?
How does an electric motor work?
See 1 more
Is it worth replacing bearings in pool pump?
With the cost of parts at roughly $30 (including the shaft seal), a bearing job can be an inexpensive fix. A caveat: It's not uncommon for a bearing replacement to last less than a year. Also, the more times a bearing is replaced, the less likely it would seat in the end bell properly.
How do you lubricate pool motor bearings?
0:295:04Pool Maintenance - Greasing motor bearings. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEach of those bearings contains a certain fitting that needs to be greased once a year generally. WeMoreEach of those bearings contains a certain fitting that needs to be greased once a year generally. We recommend on these paddle wheel bearings to squirts and general-purpose lithium grease.
Can a pool pump motor be repaired?
If you're fairly confident in your DIY skills then you can always do minor pump repairs like changing the mechanical seals or changing your pump bearings.
What causes pool pump bearing failure?
If a pump is operating too far on the left or right of its curve, the viscosity of the fluid is higher than expected, or there are large amounts of solids in the pumped fluid this can cause bearing overloading. This can lead to excess friction, overheating and prompt failure.
Can you use wd40 on motor bearings?
Yes, you can apply any kind of lubricant to the bearings. Be sure to dry any excess once you have sufficiently lubricated the bearings.
Can you grease a water pump bearing?
There are several options for non water soluble grease. Most auto parts stores stopped stocking water pump grease decades ago. The most popular modern replacement is marine grease, or the wheel bearing grease for boat trailers. Many people use Lubriplate 115 for water pump grease.
How do you know if your pool pump bearings are bad?
If you hear a loud grinding sound, it's usually a sign that the bearings are getting worn down. The bearings are the part of the machine that keep the motor running. Your pump could be leaking water, or the bearings might need to be replaced instead of the entire motor.
What is the life expectancy of a pool pump motor?
Most pool pump motors last at least 6-8 years, often longer. But that's if you're referring to magnetic drive pool motors, which are used in newer variable speed pumps.
What is the lifespan of a pool motor?
between 8 to 15 yearsYour pool pump should be replaced anywhere between 8 to 15 years depending on the quality, and a full replacement may cost over $800. Your pool pump is the “heart” of your swimming pool as it circulates water throughout, bringing water through the filtration and heating systems.
Why is my pool pump motor making a loud noise?
The most common reasons for a noisy pool pump include blocked lines, a blocked impeller, faulty bearings and seals or unsecure mountings. The problems cause noises including loud rattling, grinding, gurgling, whining, buzzing, high pitched noises and vibrations.
Why is my pool pump humming and not working?
If your pump doesn't turn on and instead makes a humming sound, it could be a problem with your capacitor or a jammed motor. But if it makes a humming sound that continues until your circuit breaker trips, you can be fairly certain it's a flawed capacitor.
Why is my pool pump making a grinding noise?
Pool pumps sometimes make grinding noises. This can sound like stones rattling inside the pump, or it can sound a little like a coffee grinder grinding beans. Again, this sound can be a sign that your baskets need cleaning out. Grinding sounds are often from a lack of water moving through the pump.
How do you lubricate motor bearings?
Electric Motor Bearing Lubrication ProcedureEnsure the grease gun contains the appropriate lubricant.Clean the areas around the relief and fill fittings.Remove the grease relief valve or drain plug.Grease the bearing with a calculated amount of grease. ... Watch for grease coming out the relief port.More items...
What kind of lubricant is used in motor bearings?
Mineral oils are adequate for most electric motor bearing applications. However, synthetic base oils may be required for extreme temperature applications or where longer regreasing intervals are desired. The thickener primarily serves as a carrier for the oil and prevents it from leaking out of the application.
What is the best grease to use on motor bearings?
Generally, NLGI 2 grade greases are used in electric motor applications involving horizontal shaft configurations, while NLGI 3 grade greases may be more appropriate for motors supporting vertical shaft configurations.
What to lubricate bearing with?
While some bearing applications use oil as a lubricant, grease is the lubricant of choice for 80 to 90 percent of bearings.
What causes a pool motor to short out?
It is often caused by something melting or shifting just enough to contact something it shouldn’t. It can also be caused by the introduction of a conductive element that gets stuck in a position that allows it to ground out a portion of the motor. When a pool motor gets shorted out, there’s not much you can do. In the vast majority of cases, the component will be too hard to locate and too time-consuming to repair. Even if you do repair it, there may be another problem that caused it, which will result in the problem repeating itself.
How does a pool pump impeller affect the pump?
Bearing failure doesn’t mean the pump will stop spinning. It can continue to spin, driven by the electric motor. The problem is that if the bearings are not holding the shaft properly in place, the impeller can rub against the sides of the housing. This can cause the impeller to wear and affect circulation and noise inside the pool pump. A chipped or clogged impeller will affect your pool pump in several different ways. First, it will make the pumping action less efficient. A clogged or broken impeller will negate the pressure that is supposed to be created by the spinning of the impeller. This will cause less water to be drawn into and pumped throughout the system.
Why do bearings fail?
If something gets lodged in the impeller—even for a moment—or if it nicks the impeller, throwing it momentarily out of place, the bearing can be damaged. This is because the shaft that spins the impeller is allowed to do so by the bearings . It is also held in a central position by the bearing.
What is the difference between a pool pump and a lawnmower?
One of the main differences between your pool pump motor and your lawnmower motor is (unless your lawnmower is electric), your pool pump motor is simpler in design and has fewer moving parts. However, these parts have to all move in sync, and even the slightest malfunction can spoil the entire system. Here’s a basic breakdown of your pool pump motor and parts which may need repair in the event of a malfunction:
Why does my pool motor make noise?
Because one or more of the bearings is worn or broken, the spinning motion combined with a motor shaft that can now move out of place causes excess friction, and that rubbing creates no ise. If the bearing is replaced, the friction stops because the shaft is now held in the proper position—centered by the bearing. A bearing is a relatively inexpensive part and one of the easier facets of pool motor repair. You can even do this yourself with some fairly simple tools and a good amount of time and patience. However, if you’re short on either, it is better (and safer) to get a professional to handle it for you.
How does an electric motor work?
An electric motor is a relatively simple machine. Imagine a magnet sitting on a table with the positive side facing you. If you put a negatively charged magnet near it and to the right, where will the magnet move? Yeah, to the right. If you removed that and then put it slightly more to the right, the magnet would turn towards it accordingly. That’s how an electromagnetic motor works, as well.
What Does Your Motor Label Look Like?
If you have watched our video and realized that your motor label looks a little different than the one we have shown, don’t worry. Manufacturers change the layout and overall design of the motor labels to fit their preferences.
How to find bearings on a motor?
First, locate the correct part or catalog number listed on your motor label. Next, find the same exact part number in the PDF graph. Once you have located your motor number in the chart, read across the row to find the part number for the bearings. We have listed the bearings in the two columns after the motor.
Why does my pool pump make a squealing noise?
It’s typical for a pool pump motor to make noises. However, a squealing motor is an early indication that the bearings are failing. In this article, we discuss how to find your replacement pool pump motor bearings using your motor part or catalog number.
What to do if Century doesn't list bearings?
If we didn’t list your motor or bearings, there’s a good reason- we just don’t know. We’ve been compiling this list for some time now and will continue to do so as we receive information from manufacturers and vendors. If you are in search of replacement bearings and need help locating the correct replacement, we recommend giving Century a call. If it is one of their motors, they should have that information readily available.
Can you tell which bearings you need without identifying the part number?
Spoiler alert: You cannot determine which bearings you need without first identifying the part or catalog number on your motor.
Can you use a model number on a bearing?
You can use the model number, catalog number, or the part number to cross-reference your replacement bearings. When the label clearly lists the cat number, using the chart to find your bearings is easy. However, labels that only list part and model numbers require more care. In the event that your label only lists the part number in ...
Do motor labels look different?
If you have watched our video and realized that your motor label looks a little different than the one we have shown, don’t worry. Manufacturers change the layout and overall design of the motor labels to fit their preferences.
How to remove a diffuser from a motor?
Pull the diffuser off the seal housing. Hold the motor shaft securely, and grip the pump impeller with a strap wrench. Turn the impeller counterclockwise with the wrench until it comes free of the motor shaft.
How does a pool pump work?
Your swimming pool pump circulates water through your pool filters. This constant circulation keeps the water clean while ensuring that the necessary chemicals are properly distributed throughout the pool – preventing algae growth. Properly maintaining your pool pump's motor extends the life of your pool pump. Certain parts of the motor, such as O-rings and bearings, benefit from periodic lubrication with a water-based lubricant. A grinding noise coming from the pump is the most common sign that your pool motor's bearing requires additional lubrication.
How to separate pump housing from motor?
Depending on your system, you may need to use a nut driver either to remove four bolts behind the pump housing or to remove a bolt and subsequent metal clamp band to reach the motor.
What is the most common sign that your pool motor needs additional lubrication?
Certain parts of the motor, such as O-rings and bearings, benefit from periodic lubrication with a water-based lubricant. A grinding noise coming from the pump is the most common sign that your pool motor's bearing requires additional lubrication. Advertisement.
How to remove pump motor end bells?
Remove the bolts holding the pump motor onto its frame with a nut driver. Remove the motor end bells using a brass punch.
Who is Ciele Edwards?
Always make sure the electricity to the pump is off before attempting to take apart a pool motor. Ciele Edwards holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and has been a consumer advocate and credit specialist for more than 10 years. She currently works in the real-estate industry as a consumer credit and debt specialist.
How old is a pool pump motor?
Another thing to weigh out is the age of the motor and if it’s worth investing any money into it. Age is relative to where you are located. A pump running 365 days a year in warmer climes is going to be “older” than the same pump with the same installation date in a colder region where pools are closed most of the year. So if it’s over 2 – 3 years old in the Sun Belt or 5 – 6 years old up north, most likely it will not pay to repair it. Many pool pump motors last less than 5 years; the last thing you want to do is put $100 worth of repairs into a motor that was destined to die in 6 months anyway. Plus none of your replacement parts will carry a warranty whereas a complete new motor will.
How much does it cost to replace a pump motor?
Assuming you are out of warranty, you have a decision to make. A replacement motor is generally going to cost you in the neighborhood of $150 – $300 depending on the horsepower. Add another $15 – $30 for the absolutely ...
How to check if a pump is still under warranty?
The first thing to check is if it’s still under warranty. For a pump that still has the original motor, you would contact the manufacturer of the entire pump. If you have already replaced the motor before, you would contact the manufacturer of the motor .
Can you replace a motor in a pump?
The bottom line – I believe in general you will get more value and longevity out of replacing the complete motor. Motor replacement also presents you with the opportunity to upgrade to a more energy efficient system – perhaps a lower horsepower if your pump is over-sized as so many are, or a dual speed or variable speed. In many cases, you can easily recoup your motor expense through energy savings. To get an idea of variable speed pump savings, try Pentair’s Savings Calculator. This calculator is based on their IntelliFlo pump but will give you a general idea of energy efficiency’s impact on your wallet.
Can you repair a pool motor?
Is it the capacitor, the bearings, an electrical short? If you’re mechanical and handy and know your way around a pool pump, then it could be fairly easy for you to diagnose the issue and even repair it yourself.
How much does it cost to replace a motor bearing?
Consider this: 1. Replace Entire Pump: $400-600. 2. Replace Pump Motor: $200-400. 3.
Can you replace a pool pump bearing?
Pool pump motor bearing replacement. Most local electric motor repair shops will be glad to replace your motor bearings. Replacing your bearings as an alternative to replacing the motor, (or for some who replace the entire pump), can save a lot of money. Consider this:
What causes a pool motor to short out?
It is often caused by something melting or shifting just enough to contact something it shouldn’t. It can also be caused by the introduction of a conductive element that gets stuck in a position that allows it to ground out a portion of the motor. When a pool motor gets shorted out, there’s not much you can do. In the vast majority of cases, the component will be too hard to locate and too time-consuming to repair. Even if you do repair it, there may be another problem that caused it, which will result in the problem repeating itself.
How does a pool pump impeller affect the pump?
Bearing failure doesn’t mean the pump will stop spinning. It can continue to spin, driven by the electric motor. The problem is that if the bearings are not holding the shaft properly in place, the impeller can rub against the sides of the housing. This can cause the impeller to wear and affect circulation and noise inside the pool pump. A chipped or clogged impeller will affect your pool pump in several different ways. First, it will make the pumping action less efficient. A clogged or broken impeller will negate the pressure that is supposed to be created by the spinning of the impeller. This will cause less water to be drawn into and pumped throughout the system.
Why do bearings fail?
If something gets lodged in the impeller—even for a moment—or if it nicks the impeller, throwing it momentarily out of place, the bearing can be damaged. This is because the shaft that spins the impeller is allowed to do so by the bearings . It is also held in a central position by the bearing.
What is the difference between a pool pump and a lawnmower?
One of the main differences between your pool pump motor and your lawnmower motor is (unless your lawnmower is electric), your pool pump motor is simpler in design and has fewer moving parts. However, these parts have to all move in sync, and even the slightest malfunction can spoil the entire system. Here’s a basic breakdown of your pool pump motor and parts which may need repair in the event of a malfunction:
Why does my pool motor make noise?
Because one or more of the bearings is worn or broken, the spinning motion combined with a motor shaft that can now move out of place causes excess friction, and that rubbing creates no ise. If the bearing is replaced, the friction stops because the shaft is now held in the proper position—centered by the bearing. A bearing is a relatively inexpensive part and one of the easier facets of pool motor repair. You can even do this yourself with some fairly simple tools and a good amount of time and patience. However, if you’re short on either, it is better (and safer) to get a professional to handle it for you.
How does an electric motor work?
An electric motor is a relatively simple machine. Imagine a magnet sitting on a table with the positive side facing you. If you put a negatively charged magnet near it and to the right, where will the magnet move? Yeah, to the right. If you removed that and then put it slightly more to the right, the magnet would turn towards it accordingly. That’s how an electromagnetic motor works, as well.
