Old Vortech vs Newer Vortech

[BRISK495]

Hello...I bought the original Vortech from Marine Depot last July. I had some issues with the basket staying on and then later I was sent the rubber piece for the outside and another piece for the inside. I am not an engineer so my terms are pretty basic. Anyway, I don't beleive my Vortech ever ran correctly, the rubber piece always slowly would move away from the motor and the glass. I have this on a 40 gallon (at lower speeds) and when I was at MACNA, they said this should not happen. It also seems that the older model has had many changes to it. To make a long story short, I sent the Vortech in (sinceI am upgrading to a 120)and it needs repairs. I want to see if it makes any sense to get this repaired because as I explained to the tech who was going to fix it, its like an old car, why fix it when you can get a new one with all the improvements. I think this is a great pump, but I think if you bought the pumps in the first round, you really became part of the "test team" unfortunately. Can you let me know the differences of buying a pump today or 14 months ago?

 

[IceCap Service]

Please check your e-mail. I explained the differences and parts changes in my last reply to you. In your particular case the pin spacer pins were doubled over causing the motor magnet to severely grind on the spacer. This caused over heating and wear down of the magnet strength. Your bearing in the wet side was pretty much worn down and needed replaced. Also the O-Ring was smashed causing the nozzle to be loose and fall off. The main parts differences are the parts used in the wet frame. The newer units have a ceramic bearing which will last much longer. Also a plastic foam coated cover replaces the soft spongy gasket on the wet side. The parts to rebuild your wet frame will be all new parts making your pump the same as the older units. I really see no reason to toss this one and get a new one. If you buy a pump today from the latest production run it will be the same as the repaired pump. Only difference is the pin spacer sticker is blue.