Sump pump burnt?
 

Last fall we had a major storm and were without power for several
days. I bought a generator and a portable, submersible sump.

The regular sump is acting strange...from time to time it stops
pumping, but if I unplug and replug it in, it starts to work again.
When I noticed it this morning, I decided to use the portable to help
pump out the volume of water that had accumulated. The portable sump
is not pumping, but the body of the unit heats up.

There doesn't appear to be much to service on the unit, but I wanted
to ask to see if there was a part or two that I may be able to replace
rather than toss an $80 pump after basically one use.

TIA.
Dave

Sump pump burnt?
 

wrote in message

There doesn't appear to be much to service on the unit, but I wanted
to ask to see if there was a part or two that I may be able to replace
rather than toss an $80 pump after basically one use.

Motor is probably shot, or the bearings in the motor. See if you can take
it apart. If bearings, they are much less than $80.

Sump pump burnt?
 

On May 26, 2:05 pm, "
wrote:
Last fall we had a major storm and were without power for several
days. I bought a generator and a portable, submersible sump.

The regular sump is acting strange...from time to time it stops
pumping, but if I unplug and replug it in, it starts to work again.
When I noticed it this morning, I decided to use the portable to help
pump out the volume of water that had accumulated. The portable sump
is not pumping, but the body of the unit heats up.

There doesn't appear to be much to service on the unit, but I wanted
to ask to see if there was a part or two that I may be able to replace
rather than toss an $80 pump after basically one use.

TIA.
Dave

You can check the inlet at the bottom of the pump to be sure it is not
clogged. Other than that, a pump in that price range is typically
replaced when it give up.

Sump pump burnt?
 

On 26 May 2007 12:05:32 -0700, "
wrote:

Last fall we had a major storm and were without power for several
days. I bought a generator and a portable, submersible sump.

The regular sump is acting strange...from time to time it stops
pumping, but if I unplug and replug it in, it starts to work again.
When I noticed it this morning, I decided to use the portable to help
pump out the volume of water that had accumulated. The portable sump
is not pumping, but the body of the unit heats up.

There doesn't appear to be much to service on the unit, but I wanted
to ask to see if there was a part or two that I may be able to replace
rather than toss an $80 pump after basically one use.

There is almost always more than those two choices. Sounds to me like
it is clogged. If there was flooding, maybe that brought in something
that normally isn't in the water. There are probably screws to open
in up. Look inside. If not clogged, See how well it spins when you
turn the impeller by hand. I don't know that it will coast after you
let go, but it should spin pretty easily when you are pushing it.

Then put on safety glasses and/or a face mask, position the motor so
it won't throw things at you or anything important and turn it on.
See if it spins, how well it spins, etc. turn it off,

Remember, if you didn't find a clog and maybe even if you did,
something piece of junnk it sucked up might be stuck in the impeller
where you can't see it, which might come loose at any time. Or if a
vane is cracked, part of it might break off. Not so likely but don't
get your face in there when it's running.

TIA.
Dave

Sump pump burnt?
 

On May 26, 5:20 pm, mm wrote:
Remember, if you didn't find a clog and maybe even if you did,
something piece of junnk it sucked up might be stuck in the impeller
where you can't see it, which might come loose at any time. Or if a
vane is cracked, part of it might break off. Not so likely but don't
get your face in there when it's running.


That was it. I did not find anything clogging the filter, but the
impeller was "stuck." When I took the cover off and lightly tapped
it, it did not move. So I plugged it in to see if it spun (it did
not). I unplugged it, and with a little more force (and nothing to
lose at this point), turned it. I heard a snap, similar to the sound
when you open a jar, and it then easily spun with just the push of a
finger. Plugged it back in and it spun. Put it back together and it
worked.

Thank you for all the replies!

Dave

Sump pump burnt?
 

That was it. I did not find anything clogging the filter, but the
impeller was "stuck." When I took the cover off and lightly tapped
it, it did not move. So I plugged it in to see if it spun (it did
not). I unplugged it, and with a little more force (and nothing to
lose at this point), turned it. I heard a snap, similar to the sound
when you open a jar, and it then easily spun with just the push of a
finger. Plugged it back in and it spun. Put it back together and it
worked.


i would be careful of trusting this pump, i had a similiar problem
with mine and it seized up again. came home to a half flooded
basement. keep a close eye on it for a while.

Sump pump burnt?
 

On May 27, 12:50 pm, mr burns wrote:

i would be careful of trusting this pump, i had a similiar problem
with mine and it seized up again. came home to a half flooded
basement. keep a close eye on it for a while.

I have concerns with the current sump, which seems to go to sleep
every once in awhile. The pump that had the impeller stuck is a
backup for the main. I appreciate your reply.

Dave

Sump pump burnt?
 

On Sun, 27 May 2007 09:50:04 -0700, mr burns wrote:


That was it. I did not find anything clogging the filter, but the
impeller was "stuck." When I took the cover off and lightly tapped
it, it did not move. So I plugged it in to see if it spun (it did
not). I unplugged it, and with a little more force (and nothing to
lose at this point), turned it. I heard a snap, similar to the sound
when you open a jar, and it then easily spun with just the push of a
finger. Plugged it back in and it spun. Put it back together and it
worked.


i would be careful of trusting this pump, i had a similiar problem
with mine and it seized up again. came home to a half flooded
basement. keep a close eye on it for a while.

Indeed. When a pump does this its usually a sign the motor is going bad,
or the impeller is very dirty and too hard for the motor to turn reliably.
Or the pipe is dirty and requiring too much pressure now.

Most likely the pump is on its last leg. Cheaper to replace the pump than
clean the basement?