Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: spa-ing on November 06, 2006, 05:10:15 pm

Title: Pump busts seal in less than a year
Post by: spa-ing on November 06, 2006, 05:10:15 pm

Need help in understanding what causes a pump seal to break. We have a 1998 jaccuzzi tub (echo) that is very basic. In April 05 the previous owners replaced a low speed pump seal. Last night we discovered the seal was broken again and water was leaking when running (spraying really). The tub is in otherwise great condition, no water problems etc.

Can you help me understand what would cause a replaced seal to give out in a year? Is this a DYI fix or do we call in the spa guy?

Title: Re: Pump busts seal in less than a year
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on November 06, 2006, 05:56:57 pm

If you're talking about the "shaft seal", running the pump dry (even if only for a few seconds).

Title: Re: Pump busts seal in less than a year
Post by: Gary on November 06, 2006, 06:31:59 pm

Water chemistry is the biggest culprit on seal failures, others are as Dr. Spa stated running dry, biguanide sanitizer. I suggest you replace your seal with a Viton one, they are much more chemical resistant.

Title: Re: Pump busts seal in less than a year
Post by: hottub.pool_boy on November 06, 2006, 09:18:25 pm

water chemistry.

Title: Re: Pump busts seal in less than a year
Post by: spa-ing on November 07, 2006, 10:55:55 am

Hmmm, well the previous owners were using it for 7 months after the new seal was put in. I can't speak to their water chemistry, but if it resembled anything like their house keeping, that might be the case. I know our water chemistry has been fine, all in range and never run dry. The guy is coming tomorrow to fix it in any event. Just hate when something breaks.

Title: Re: Pump busts seal in less than a year
Post by: spa-ing on November 09, 2006, 03:52:09 pm

So the spa guy came and he replaced the seal (two pieces really). They both look just fine. I don't see any wear on them, corrosion, cracks, blisters, fraying, anything! Of I'm not home when he fixes it (and he didn't leave a note or a bill for me). I thought for sure if it was a water chemistry issue that I'd see *something.*  Well, maybe they were loose, or just went bad. Time to fill the tub back up and see if she leaks anymore.

Title: Re: Pump busts seal in less than a year
Post by: drewstar on November 09, 2006, 03:53:57 pm

Blew a seal?

No! it's just ice cream! Honest!

Title: Re: Pump busts seal in less than a year
Post by: hottub.pool_boy on November 09, 2006, 04:54:36 pm

Bad seals rarely LOOK bad. You should be good to go!

Title: Re: Pump busts seal in less than a year
Post by: In Canada eh on November 09, 2006, 05:11:59 pm

A slight misalignment or improper loading of the spring assembly can cause a seal to wear prematurely.  I see its to late to ask your dealer to install a carbide/ceramic seal with viton "o" rings but hopefully thats what they did.