How To Change a Leaking Hot Tub Pump Seal

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

We are getting very busy with KZbin and our video comments. At the same time we are trying to run a pool and hot tub business. Unfortunately, we will limit our comment responses to our Members. Consider becoming a Member: kzbin.info/door/7rBDbZ5XT4QtOouN6PTKXQjoin

[@exploringbc431]

Just did seals and bearings on an aqua flow. 12/4.4 amps. Drawing 4.7 amps low and 14.4 on high speed. Is this a problem? The balboa cover states pump 1 12 amps so I’m wondering if the 14.4 will damage the circuitry. Not just inrush.. holds around 14.4.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@exploringbc431 if you have a 12amp and your getting 14amps, then the 12amp pump wasn't the original pump that was in there for that spa pack. Or vice versa.

[@Ewaugh69]

Great video. Have a little leak on mine and I have a great starting point now for repair. Thank you!

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Glad it helped. Make sure to like the video and Subscribe. It helps me out a lot. Thanks again for watching.

[@MakerDan55]

Great video and very helpful. Thank you for sharing this!

[@philipchristian9935]

Great video! I have a Beachcomber hot tub and had it closed for two years. Opened it this year and worked for 24 hours. Then heard a pop sound and fuse went. Replaced the spa pack 20a fuse connected to the hush pump motor and restarted the breaker. Then I heard some sounds and then the hush pump started smoking up and saw a flame so quickly turned it off. Guessing the motor is completely dead at that point?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Sounds like the pump was seized after 2 years of not running. And yes, that pump is now toast.

[@philipchristian9935]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas yup. Appreciate all your videos. Learning a lot

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@philipchristian9935 thanks. Just give the videos a LIKE so I can continue.

[@ChrisMichaelsChicago]

I saw a guy do a super easy method that works great.. the motor doesn't need to come off the way he did it.. Remove the four 8 or 9" 5/16 hex head machine screws that go through the motor and threads into the pump, holding both the motor AND the pump together.. Once that's done, mark the silver motor caps where it lines up with the motor so it lines up when reassembling, take a screwdriver and tap out the silver cap on the rear of the motor, then tap loose the wet end motor cover and the entire pump, and stator will pull out the front.. Then with the stator out he put it in a vice with a towel to protect it, and the thing was super easy to work on then. the shaft couldn't turn so getting the impeller nut off was a breeze. I'm not sure if the rear bearing on the stator shaft had to come off, but I don't think so.. I'm working ion one that , you guessed it, the brittle impeller cracked off at the nut. No problems though most of it is ok, new seals impeller, clean off the rust etc. On my way back out there now to see if I can squeeze it out without too much fuss.

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

I have other videos that show this. Plus. Not every situation is going to be the same.

[@ChrisMichaelsChicago]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas I know. The more I think it over, I can be more thorough with the whole thing on the bench. Is that impeller nut a left-handed thread? Righty Lucy? Because on this Waterway 56 wet end, the nut had notches not unlike other left hand nut I've seen before. The unit was leaking out of the pump seals rusting the shaft sold the inside of that motor has to be inspected I would not feel thorough if I didn't. Cuz if I don't know what it looks like right on the other side. Thank you the videos great, and thorough.

[@ChrisMichaelsChicago]

I'm just going to take the whole assembly back here to the shop. Thank you for the advice. Pops always said "Haste makes waste". And an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I don't want a client having problems up the road. I'll also have one opportunity to check the capacitor to see if it's bulging and stuff like that

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@ChrisMichaelsChicago anyway hot tub pump has an impeller that turn counterclockwise. I've only seen pool pumps with the screw that loosens going clockwise.

[@ChrisMichaelsChicago]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas Roger that! Thank you much!

[@jaimeduran33]

Excellent video keep it up God bless you thank you

[@northernmistress2270]

Easy to follow video thank you...

[@edwardjski]

The first thing removed in the video, the black plastic bit; what is it called? I have a leak between the two black pieces. Is there a gasket between them? It appears the water is leaking from where the two pieces connect. Is there a way to fix such a leak? If not. I assume the part can be replaced? My problem is that I don't know what that part is called. Is it the "impeller"? The "impeller assembly"? Final question: if can be replaced, is it specific to the pump or is there a standard based on fitting size? Thanks a bunch!

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Its called a "faceplate" and it has to be the same one you have there. If it's older, you might have to get the whole thing but it has to be the same name and HP. If you have a leak at that spot, I just put a very nice bead of silicone on the oring and put it back together. 50/50 chance it will stop the leak. The front faceplate might be warped.

[@edwardjski]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas Man, THANKS so much! I'm reasonably handy but finding solutions when I didn't know what a part is called or worse: call it the wrong thing, is time consuming and difficult. Especially difficult when everyone who regular deals with the equipment already knows what it is. so thanks! I would be surprised if some silicone doesn't fix it but I always approach these things at least somewhat prepared for the worst/more expensive scenario.

[@marshallspevakpersonal8500]

Thanks for the video. It really helped. I have a A.O. Smith 5.0 motor and a waterway I can’t remember what it’s PF 225C something and it looks like the intake is a 4 inch in the out out is the same size as the one I’m replacing. I’m gonna switch the wet end on my old pump and put it on the new motor. Because the valves are they fit. Can I do that?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

A 4HP pump and 5HP pump are almost the same flow. In a hot tub you will only have 2 inch for most tubs and 3 inch plumbing in tubs like a swim spa. Try and keep it about the same.

[@marshallspevakpersonal8500]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas Sorry about the prior post. Talk to text on my phone was not great. I noticed two things. My old pump is shorter from motor to the intake. The pump itself is a little wider. I was going just transfer the pump for the AO 4.0 to the AO 5.0. But then I thought the motor shaft would be too long. The reason for the change is that the intake opening on the 5.0 pump is 4" and on my old pump is 3". After taking the face plate off the pump I notice the impelar is exactly the same on both pump so I'm putting the old faceplate on my new pump. That was the connections are the same. I do need to rotate the pump from the top output to the side output. I'm have some trouble unscrewing the long bolts by hand. Any suggestions?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

You might break the long screws off the old pump when taking the wet head off. Just use a drill, but undo slow one way and then back the other. Go back and forth and that might help not to break them.

[@appl314]

New to this. We have an old pacific spa with pneumatic buttons. The spa has been left for many years, but the shell appears solid. If we were to attempt to refurbish with entirely new hoses and operational parts, do you have a complete list of what would be necessary? I see packages for controllers in other parts sites, but not a recommendation for pumps and heaters that all fit together. Is there an available complete kit?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Well. The cost isn't going to be cheap if your going that way, but will be very interesting to do. I Always wanted to do a video just like that, but doesn't make sense because of the cost. YET....... If you can find things cheap, it might work out for you. Waterway parts are going to be the way to go and will fit your hot tub. For the jets and the body for those jets, just measure the hole size and look for that part. In Canada, a Spa Pack with the topside will cost you around $1200 and that can run 2 pumps. Its going to be around the same amount for all the plumbing and fittings and jets. NOTE: Don't worry or even search for your hot tub name brand for parts because 99% of all tubs have about the same parts in them. Its the electronics that are mostly going to be proprietary to that company.

[@appl314]

Thank you. Water and sun pak. I know the cost will be steep, but a new one is even more, at this time. We figure it's a nice project to tackle as a couple....lol...well see. Would you try to make specs for the old parts?

[@edwardjski]

liked and subscribed!

[@frajolex]

Wow, this video is by far the best. I have a Strong Spa with a Balboa pump (PUUM2302582FR) that is leaking. Do you have the part numbers (or links) for the O-rings/gaskets/wetend?

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Thanks for watching. As for the parts. You are already half way there by knowing what item number to use to find parts.

[@ColeMichetti]

How do you know if you have a single speed or multi speed pump? I'm worried that I never marked my stator !

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

There should be a sticker on the motor with AMPS and RPMs. If there's 12 amps, its a single speed. If it shows 12/4.4 amps, then it's a 2 speed motor.

[@ColeMichetti]

@@VIPPoolsandSpas Thanks so much for your reply! I missed the notification saying that you did reply but seen it just now. Love your videos! Do you happen to know what die to use on the shaft (waterway executive 56 4hp). My threads looks fine but my impeller sits funky !

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

@@ColeMichetti maybe the shaft isn't straight?

[@ColeMichetti]

@VIPPoolsandSpas hmm , well they look fine but the impeller is hard to spin on so I think I'll need a die. Very hard to find any info on Google

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Did you put in a new impeller or seal?

[@alfredonava2133]

Hi, how can I buy an impeller and mechanical seal? I'm from Mexico

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Does Amazon ship too Mexico?

[@kenster38]

That center plastic piece is stuck on my propellar

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Guess it melted on there. Have to try and take it off. Might have to brake it and the impeller.

[@creativemind26los82]

Awesome 👌

[@VIPPoolsandSpas]

Thanks 🤗