I need help diagnosing a pump / motor problem. Â You folks have been a tremendous help in the past and I hope you can come through again. Â
I have a 2003 Sweetwater Bahia spa. Â The spa has two main pumps and one circulation pump. Â The problem pump is the two speed pump, which is also the "every eight hour" kick on in low speed pump. Â
Anyhoo - about three times in the past few months, the pump doesn't turn on, in either speed. Â It just hums for about 15 seconds and then shuts off. Â Some sort of protection is probably turning the motor off. Â Each time the motor wouldn't turn, I took a pliers and gently rotated the shaft. Â It moved back anf forth without requiring much force. Â Next time I turned the pump on, it ran fine. Â I added a little bit of lubricating oil around the shaft and it works okay for a few weeks. Â Then it gets stuck again. Â
I've read of seal problems. Â I've never replaced seals but I also don't have any water leaking onto the floor of the motor compartment. Â I wonder if it's more likely the motor or more likely the wet end, (impeller and such)? Â Do these types of motors/pumps get repaired or just replaced? Â I see the replacement cost for a new pump is pretty high. Â Of course, replacement would be my last resort. Â
Here are some specifics on the pump. Â
2003 Sweetwater Bahia Â
Pump Model: Â 6500-261
Continuous    2.5HP
60Hz
3450/1725 RPM
230 volts
Manufacturer: Â AO Smith
Any advice you could provide would be appreciated. Â
Thanks, -- tim