Hayward Super Pump motor noisy & hot to the touch

[sailor21]

Hi!

Today I noticed that the pump motor on my Hayward Super Pump (1.5hp) makes a very quick screeching sound while operating. I also noticed that it sounds louder than usual.

I turned the impeller by hand and, though it moves (I have to really push to turn it), I don't know how "freely" it should turn.

I don't see any external leakage.

These are my questions:
1) How freely should the impeller turn when turning it by hand?
2) Could the quick screeching sound be the motor bearings? could it be the seal?

Please help!

[duraleigh]

Almost surely a bearing issue. Plan on replacing the motor or having it repaired.

Screeching=bearing problems most of the time.....Sorry.

[sailor21]

Thanks!

How about the impeller turning? How freely is it supposed to turn?

[duraleigh]

I'm not sure how to describe that in words but it wouldn't seem to matter to me. If I hear a screech, I'm gonna replace the bearings and go from there. I can think of nothing in the impeller that would cause a screech.

[lbridges]

I concur with duraleigh's opinion about the screech noise being most likely bearing failure (2nd opinion kinda thing if needed/wanted).

[James Watson]

The impeller should turn fairly easily. There should not be much resistance. If it is a metallic screeching, then it is almost definitely the bearings. The only other thing I can think of that would cause screeching would be if a rock were caught in the impeller.

Disconnect the motor assembly from the housing by removing the 4 bolts and check the impeller for debris. If the impeller is clear, run the motor while disconnected to see if the motor still makes the noise.

You can have the motor evaluated at an electric motor shop for a small fee. They can advise you if the motor is worth repairing, or they can sell you a new one. If the pump housing is bad, or very old, you should replace the whole pump.

You should replace the diffuser gasket, seal, and the housing gasket if you are just repairing or replacing the motor.

http://www.haywardnet.com/products/Manu ... ual113.pdf

[James Watson]

Be careful about running the motor while it is disconnected, it will jump a little, so make sure it is secure. Also, debris could be thrown from the impeller if there is any hidden inside.

If the impeller does not turn freely when disconnected, then it is probably the bearings.

A rock caught in the impeller, or between the impeller and diffuser, could cause the resistance you are feeling.

[James Watson]

If you are going to get a new motor, the proper size to get is the Rated Horsepower X the Service Factor.

For example, a 1.0 hp motor with a SF of 1.5 is the same motor as a 1.5 hp with a SF of 1.0.

[sailor21]

Well, took the pump out of the housing and found the difuser pressing on the impeller

[James Watson]

Can you tell why the diffuser was pressing on the impeller? Is the impeller damaged? Sometimes the impeller threads will wear out and the impeller will move forward. Is the motor OK?

If you need the diffuser, I think the part number is SPX2600B. If you need a new impeller, you should make sure that it matches the number on the old one. I think impeller part number for the 1.5 hp is SPX2610C.

You also should replace the diffuser gasket (SPX1600R), seal (SPX1600Z2), and the housing gasket (SPX1600T).

http://www.haywardnet.com/products/Manu ... ual113.pdf

[sailor21]

Hi!

The difuser was indeed pressing on the impeller.

I changed all seals and o-rings and the impeller was now running freely. Then, the motor got even noisier, I dismantled to check and found the bearings were in bad shape and, since the motor was pretty corroded, decided to replace the motor.

Installed a new replacement (Marathon Electric) and everything is whisper quiet and working great!


Thanks for all the help!

S21