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