Diagnosing a pump....

[skimjim]

I have a Tunze pump where if there is a power loss to the pump the impeller will NOT turn over when power is turned back on. I MANUALLY have to use my index finger and kick-start the impeller. Once its running, it will stay running until the next power loss. I then have to repeat the process. PITA...

I know its not the impeller bc its been replaced with a brandnew one.

Whats wrong with this pump? Plz help me diagnose....

 

[Sk8r]

25 people have looked at this and have no clue. I thought---burned spot on the pump impeller housing? But I would expect that to be a sometimes-won't-start...

Could there be a general calcium carbonate buildup in the pump? That can get glasslike. You MIGHT, if there's reason to suspect that, just pop the pump into a container of nearly pure white vinegar and run it, and see if that helps. If it's your main pump, that's a tank-threatening problem. You might be better off to get a new pump and hold this one in reserve against a main pump failure, as in 'better than nothing.' I fear if this IS your main pump, life-and-circumstance could combine to bite you badly if not replaced. My own tank is good for about 8 hours of main pump shutdown before things get dicey. This varies, but it's not a long window.

 

[ericarenee]

Sounds like the motor is just getting to week . Have you also noticed reduced flow?

 

[skimjim]

It's a skimmer pump. No reduction of power/flow

 

[Sk8r]

If it's just a skimmer, you could run it in vinegar and see if that solves it.