mag 5 failure?

[timrandlerv10]

my new mag five started a horrible rattle, and while its spinning, it isnt really pumping any water.

we didnt see any broken pieces in the sump or anywhere else for that matter.

nothing looks broken...whats up?!

tim

 

[SueQ]

How long has it been running? And have you given it a vinegar bath lately?

 

[Mariner]

Take it apart [it has four screws if its like mine]. Pull out the impeller and check for precip build up, etc. If there is some, give the entire pump and impeller a vinegar/water bath for 1/2 an hour or more. Wipe it off, rinse it off, put it back together and try getting it started in a bucket of fresh water.
hth,
Mariner

 

[timrandlerv10]

its only a week old...

 

[Mariner]

I'd take it apart anyway. Put it in a bucket of water while its plugged in and fiddle with the impeller...you should be able to get it going and get yourself sprayed in the face...not much can really 'BREAK' on these pumps.
fwiw,
Mariner

 

[timrandlerv10]

ok. we tried that. still rattles...are there any good pictues of what the pieces are supposed to be?

i have no experience, but it *feels* like its missing a washer or something...

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Are you running it internal or external? Mag pump will act like that when it is cavitating (only partially full of water.)

Tomoko

 

[timrandlerv10]

internal.

turns out the shear pin was broken.

$14 for a new one, but at least i got it 'right now.'

 

[Tomoko Schum]

A shear pin? Do you mean the impeller shaft? Is it a ceramic shaft? I thought a Mag Drive pump usually had a stainless steel impeller shaft.

Tomoko

 

[timrandlerv10]

it has a ceramic shaft, but there is a plastic nub (not really a shear pin, but 'plastic nub' isnt very use-specific) that keeps the blades spinning as the magnet on the impeller spins.

what glue would work to attach that back on?

glue isnt a permanent fix, since it would lose all protection from getting jammed, etc, but it would be a great 'i just broke the impeller' spare for a day or two.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

You must be talking about the bushing on the ends of the impeller. Is it torn?

Tomoko

 

[timrandlerv10]

no, there is no visible damage...unless you include the tiny plastic piece (the size of a tic tac...maybe a bit smaller)...i should have brought it yesterday.

hopefully i can show somebody soon and they can relay the proper definition!