If your pool pump motor start to get noisy, it often means that your motor's bearing are failing and need to be replaced. If a failing bearing is not replaced promptly, the motor can overheat and cause the windings to fail. This guide discusses possible causes of a noisy motor including bad bearings.
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Margarita Posted: 6/13/2022
I bought this about a year ago is it still under warranty?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/15/2022
Whole pool pumps and pump motors usually have a 1-year warranty.Reply
Tony Posted: 6/6/2022
I have a A.O.Smith SQ 1152 pump that's only 3.5 years old. It started making noise so I took it apart and as I thought the bearings were bad. I ordered 2 new bearings and a shaft seal and replaced all 3. Went to turn it on and it ran for about 15 seconds started making alot of noise and shutoff with a small amount of smoke coming out near the front of the motor. I pressed the bearings on and the shaftseal is simple enough. What else would cause this issue. I can rebuild engines but this is a first with a pool pump so before I keep throwing money at it thought I would ask for other opinions. Thank youReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/9/2022
It could be a faulty capacitor or bad phase windings; check out How to Test a Pool Pump Capacitor and How To Use a Multimeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - Winding Resistance respectively.Reply
Sara Posted: 12/3/2021
Every 5 minutes my pool motor makes a quite click, a loud-ish whirring noise for 15 second, another quiet click then it’s off for 5 minutes before repeating. It’s been doing this consistently for 24 hours as we try to get someone here to fix it. Any idea what the problem is? The pumps and cleaning feature seem to be working fine.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 12/8/2021
Going by just the description of the noises, I can't give any solid answer. The motor could be overheating due to voltage irregularities, but that is just a guess. We mention a gambit of things to check in the guide. I'd start with those and then troubleshoot the motor wiring.How To Use a Multimeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - Voltage - How to Test a Pool Pump CapacitorReply
Bearings Posted: 7/30/2021
Hello my motor was replaced 2 years ago I know it is the bearings can I replace them without replacing the motor? Can the pool run at all during the day for a short time without over heating the motor until I replace the bearings?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/30/2021
it can run without overheating; but will yours? That is a question no one can answer until you run it for a day.Yes, you can replace the bearings. See the below links for more information:How To Replace the Bearings in a Pool Pump Motor - Part IHow To Replace the Bearings in a Pool Pump Motor - Part IIReply
Robert Snyder Posted: 6/28/2021
Pump started to make a little knocking sound .not loud at all .but I hear itReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/1/2021
I can't really make much from that description alone. However, if the motor is running, doesn't stop, and the breaker is not tripping, you should be ok for the time being.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 4/16/2021
My pump & motor were quiet as a mouse. Today it sounds like a washing machine on the spin cycle. Not a metal sound, just a loud spin sound. Working, holding prime. Any thoughts? Motor replaced a year ago.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/21/2021
The most common things that cause noise are bearings, capacitors, or debris in the pump housing. Through the years, I have stopped trying to guess at the sounds on this; the best thing to do is complete the troubleshooting so you can figure out where the problem lies.Reply
Mark Posted: 9/23/2020
My bearings need to be replaced. I watched your video. I having a problem with the 4 long Screws. Do you have a part number for the screw. I sure I’ll have to drill a couple out. ThanksReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/23/2020
What is the part, model, or catalog number on your motor's label? A picture of the motor label would be most helpful.Reply
David Neu Posted: 8/28/2020
My pump bearings are going out. I have ordered the parts need to repair the problem, but is it safe to run the pump until the parts arrive? I don’t want stagnant water.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/31/2020
It will be fine to run your pump. It is just going to be very annoying for the time being. In the interim, consider buying your neighbors a set of earmuffs.Reply
Steve Atkinson Posted: 8/9/2020
My pump motor is leaking on the bottom, I'm gathering it's the pump seal? I was trying to make it to the end of summer to replace but now it's making a lot of noise. Does the protracted leak affect the bearings?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/26/2020
That loud noise coming from your pump is the sound of bearing failure. The leak you were seeing was creeping down the shaft of the motor into the motor case. Your bearings are in need of being replaced, and you will need at least the shaft sealReply
JH Posted: 7/4/2020
I replace the bearing on Century 3 HP motor and it is still noisy. It runs fine otherwise. What else could it be?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/26/2020
Did you replace both bearings or just one of them? While you had the motor disassembled, did you notice rust or anything out of the ordinary on the other internal pieces?Reply
Jane corey Posted: 5/31/2020
My pump is making a loud buzzing noise when it is on what could that beReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/23/2020
Buzzing/humming is a symptom of a failing capacitor.Reply
Anup Posted: 4/26/2020
My motor is noisy, it is probably over 15 years old. Is it OK to shut the motor for a day or two till I get it replaced? ThanksReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/27/2020
Yes, it should be fine to shut down the pump for a day or two. Any longer than that could cause algae bloom to begin.Reply
Jeff Posted: 4/25/2020
Hayward pump SP2603 VSP with Century motor 1.65 hp M48AB21A04 motor sounds like it is grinding. Seals have been replaced no obstruction in impeller. If it’s the bearings what size do I need?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/27/2020
Unfortunately, we do not list bearing numbers for that particular motor. In the last couple of years, I have yet to hear a homeowner successfully change the bearings on a variable speed motor. The VS are trickier to reassemble than the standard single speed.Reply
Keith Posted: 4/23/2020
I recently installed a new pump motor about a week ago. After it sits overnight and turns on in the morning , It’s squeals for a minute and then goes away. What could this be?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/24/2020
It may be the beginning of a bearing issue. When you replaced the motor did you replace the shaft seal? After the pump runs for a while, does the equipment pad look wet?Reply
Greg Posted: 4/1/2020
I have an Astral Variable speed pump (viron P320) which is only 39 months old. It is noisey in a normal sound than it used to be, but is now screeching 2-3 times a day for 10-15 minutes at a time. Your thought? Repair or replace already?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/2/2020
Squealing or screeching is a sign of bad bearings. You may be able to replace bearings on that VS, but a motor shop will have to do the work. VS motors are more intricate than your standard single speed. Because your motor is more than three years old, the pump is likely no longer under warranty.Reply
Tony Posted: 12/9/2019
What is the the pool pump is making a loud sucking type of noise? What could be the problem there? Cavitation? ThanksReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 12/10/2019
It could be a suction side air leak. How to Identify and Correct Air LeaksReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/13/2017
NoisyPool - If your motor is squealing badly, it is very likely that your motor bearings are going. You could try to replace the bearing, but when the motor gets to that point, most people just replace the motor.Reply
Ron Posted: 3/26/2019
Hi Dennis, I think my bearings are going because the motor is making noise. You got my curiosity up your wrote that when your motor gets to the point that the bearings are going out, it's better to just replace the motor. Why is that? Why wouldn't replacing the bearings correct the issue? Thanks in advance for your response .Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 3/26/2019
Hello Ron - The bearings can be replaced and you can add a few more months to the motor. We don't usually see people get years out of the motor after they replace the bearings. The windings are the next thing to fail and at that point, the motor will need to be replaced.Reply
NoisyPool Posted: 6/12/2017
After ensuring that the inlet and outlet are not obstructed, I would check the bearings on the motor and pump shafts. The bearings may require periodic lubrication. My next step would be to remove the pool pump motor, and check it for unusual noise. If everything is okay up to this point, I would think the pump has a problem. Depending on the pump, it might be repairable, or it might be designed in such a way that replacement is the only option.- http://noisypool.com/
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