How to Repair a Hot Spring Moto Massage

[@juliantang6285]

Thanks for the video. It helped me fix my Moto massagers. At first it didn't work and I almost gave up. However shortly after replacing them my high limit sensor went off. I changed the filters and suddenly the Moto massagers all began working. That might be the issue for some of you guys where you encountered it working at the beginning and then stopped for no reason. I switched off to the ceramic Tri-X and so far so good. The new silicon tubing might just have lower tolerances to work properly but it still beats paying for a brand new one.

[@randymoore774]

Thank you for making this video. As the original poster of this procedure a few years ago on the Spa forum, I have wanted to make a video explaining this better than I could in the forums, but never got around to it. Randy

[@exaramco]

Randy, thank you for your comment. Seven weeks after the repair the motomassage seems to be faltering again. I was hoping for a longer lifetime. Do you have any suggestions?

[@CampfireCrucifix]

Do you know what tubing he is using in the video? I know it's 1/2" by 5/8" but is this just regular pvc tubing you can buy at home depot or some type of special flexible brand? I know these types need to be flexible which is why I'm asking.

[@exaramco]

@@CampfireCrucifix It is silicone tubing Feelers 1/2" ID x 5/8" OD Silicone Tubing Food Grade Pure Silicon Tube High Temp Home Brewing Winemaking Silicone Hose Tubing, 3.28ft Length used for beer making.

[@randymoore774]

@@CampfireCrucifix Hi, You have to use silicone tubing, not usually available at big box stores. Beer brewery supplies seemed to be the best source.

[@user-nk6zc7po9i]

I tried this using medical tubing but it kept coming off because of the water pressure. I watched another video where they used Teflon tape to increase the fitting strength but it still came off. I got a #10 O ring and slipped it over the tubing like the one on the air hose. That did the trick.

[@craigsmith4436]

As a service tech 21+ years in the business, a moto-massage jet will last a good long time with pretty good water chemistry. My personal 2007 Vanguard has 8 years of storage and 8 years of use. 16 years old, and both my moto massage seat jets (one single, one dual) still work. Tablet floaters and low PH kill everything quickly.

[@smakota]

Hi i got a Question. I got water dripping from the air intake, underneath the hot tub. Could it be water is getting into air hose from one of the moto massages?

[@craigsmith4436]

@@smakota If your spa has a HARTFORD LOOP which is a double loop of clear 3/4" tubing with a clear bullet checkvalve, make sure it is zip-tied up high under the shell top edge. Also make sure you aren't over filling the spa. (about 2" above the highest jets is max fill) If your air intakes are 1/2" tubing and a 'D' battery sized checkvalve, zip-tie those up high above the waterline as well. Not just the moto, but ALL jets have an air intake line that water can backflow out of, if the above is not done.

[@smakota]

thank you for the reply i will have to check tomorrow. I have 02 vanguard it came with the house, never had to work with one before. I believe i did overfill it by at least an 1" it didnt start dripping right away but almost a month after the refill.@@craigsmith4436

[@smakota]

@@craigsmith4436 i found where the problem is. "Air Intake Check Valve Item #: 72342" this is the check valve where its leaking. water is coming from the 1/4 tube and filling up the 3/4 tubing. my problem is the part is OBSOLETE now and got replaced by "Hartford Loop Assembly Item #: 72701" Do you know what i need to do to integrate this new hartford loop with air intake valve i have now?

[@TrojanStarryNight]

Great video, curious why you did not purchase the same silicone hose with 1/2” ID x 3/4 OD” ? Home come you did not replace the other hose that sits out side the spine?

[@exaramco]

The 1/2"ID x 3/4"OD is too thick and would not flex. The original spine hose is shaved on two sides so that it can flex up and down. The smaller OD on the replacement hose allowed for the necessary flexibility. I used small zip ties to secure the hose at both ends. The hose that sits outside the spine did not look like it need replacement so I left it alone but it is easily replaced. Unfortunately my set up stopped working after about six weeks. Don't know why. In the end I did buy a replacement unit for a total of about $100 from the local dealer. Ouch! I may try a different brand of silicone hose next time and I am keeping daily tabs on the ph because the ph level may impact the deterioration of the hose. I am keeping close to 7.5 to 7.6 ph.

[@TrojanStarryNight]

@@exaramco Thanks for the reply. I am planning to search for the same hose that was originally used by Hot Spring and will post an update. If I am unable to find it then I will purchase 4 new ones as I have two seats on my 2016 Grandee NXT with the double Moto Massage that both no longer work.

[@ericvitelli7113]

I bought surgical grade silicone hose (forget where, probably amazon) for my air line- unit still did not work. This was a replacement full unit that worked for two months. I think the chemicals attack o-rings and zip ties sooner than tubing.I am here because my 2009 soverign had the diverter valve snap off this AM. Nice water fountain- lol good products tho

[@obsbunch]

Great video. Thanks!

[@vicandtjbusiness9201]

Thank you.

[@philipblair7223]

I have the same problem. What was the problem with the hose you replaced? Was it not flexing well? Thank you.

[@vicandtjbusiness9201]

The repair worked for about one month. Eventually the motomassage stopped going up and down. I replaced the hose once again with the same hose I used previously and this time secured both ends with small zip ties. This time it did not go up and down at all. I finally purchased a replacement. I still don't know why the repair stopped working.

[@fern9234]

This message should be pinned. I and everyone else is under the impression that this was a successful fix. Thank you for taking the time to show us.

[@haydentrow9771]

What length is the piece of hose? Mine came out in a few pieces.

[@vicandtjfriedmann7136]

9 inches.

[@geoffreycook]

I rebuilt mine as per the video, using the same exact tubing. Within a period of four months of use, the hose turned white and the water pressure made several holes and splits through the tubing to where it would no longer work. While the repair will work, it won't work for very long...

[@vicandtjbusiness9201]

Sadly, you are correct. I eventually replaced the Moto Massage with a genuine replacement.

[@imbitterman]

What is the current theory on why they stop working? Is it that the replaced hose became too limber and lost its springiness? Or does spring effect not play a role in the movement? They are $183 now and they don’t last long, I need two. Before I saw this I was suspecting a loss of reactionary springiness as the problem. I was going to find a suitable springy plastic strip, perhaps ½” wide by 1/8” or 1/16” thick, and fasten it the inner hose. It could also be a 1/8” diameter springy plastic rod instead. It would have to not interfere with the spine action. This is obviously a cash cow for the company. We need to solve this. I have also noticed that they tend to fail with filter conditions causing the flow to be either too strong or too weak. My observation is that it is not purely a dirty filter problem.

[@vicandtjbusiness9201]

I don't have the answer. My repair lasted only less than a month before the motomassage stopped going up and down. I agree that the filter has nothing do do with it. I finally replaced it with a genuine replacement and after about three years it may be ready for replacement. That is just how it is. The tube Hotspring uses is a specialized tube that is flat on two sides and replacements don't seem to be available. I try to keep a Ph of 7.5 at all times.

[@CampfireCrucifix]

Where did you buy this tubing? Is this just regular pvc tubing or a special flexible brand?

[@vicandtjbusiness9201]

It is silicone tubing made for beer making available from Amazon.com.

[@peterfslife]

I never have seen one of these devices, and I've seen a lot of water massagers. Is this one something that you can get to put inside your Home?

[@vicandtjfriedmann7136]

No, this is specific to the Hot Spring hot tubs.

[@gregmcgarvey4521]

Must use yellow tubing

[@bradroot2476]

i have repaired my moto massages this way, and it did not work. Perhaps the hose is not the exact length or vinyl does not work. I will buy silicone size 1/2" x 9/16"

[@exaramco]

Let me know how you do. My repair worked for about six weeks. When I repaired it a second time it did not work. In the end I bought a replacement moto massage.

[@Leopardim24]

Did tubing size fit and work?

[@bryansharp4348]

Where did you get the tubbing from.Send a link please

[@exaramco]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093F4M8J3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@Likwidfox]

This is clearly designed to fail. I tried fixing my two jets multiply times and couldn't get them working correctly so I bought the replacements. Id say the secret sauce is having the air tube longer than the jet tube just slightly. When I tried fixing it myself I thought that air tube created a bungie action but it should be more like a loose fire hose

[@gddhhhgfgh2679]

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