DIY pump repair

In detail: do-it-yourself flow pump repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Modern features of power grids, as well as water supply networks, violation of operating rules, negative environmental factors lead to premature failure of water pumping equipment. Having found defects and malfunctions in the operation of the unit, it is not necessary to make a radical replacement. In some situations, it is possible to repair pumps at home.

If the breakdown is not serious, it is quite possible to repair it yourself, otherwise it is better to contact the nearest service center.

When using hydraulic equipment, prompt and timely detection of units and parts that need repair is of great importance. Diagnostics is an effective and simple method for identifying such parts without dismantling. It allows, by indirect parameters, to determine the operability of the elements of the pumps for water. These indirect parameters of hydraulic structures are considered, for example, the frequency spectrum of vibration or noise of the hydraulic system during operation.

Vibration pump device

The performance of the devices is assessed by the failure of several or one main operating parameter to be out of tolerance. For pumping equipment, such parameters are pressure pulsation and performance, for servo spools - flow in the neutral position of the oil, for reversible spools - leaks, for safety valves - minimum flow. The following components are most susceptible to aging and wear:

spools, plungers;
seals;
movable mates;
springs when the number of operating cycles is exceeded.

Video (click to play).

Common causes of water pump failure include:

pressure surges in the hydraulic system;
contaminated water with a solids content exceeding the established limit;
incorrect selection of materials for rubbing pairs;
contact fatigue;
uneven thermal expansion of materials;
erosion and cavitation wear;
hydraulic entrapment;
making mistakes when installing the unit;
work in modes other than the regulated ones (operation in "dry" mode);
improper fastening of the cable connection;
damage to bearings;
air ingress into the flow path;
impeller blocking, shaft oxidation and others.

Some breakdowns occur as a result of malfunctions in the pressure switch, engine, lack of a filter. An increase in heat generation in the hydraulic system often leads to an accident as a result of jamming of moving parts. Stabilization of the temperature of the pumped medium increases the durability of the pumps, reliability, and extends the overhaul cycle.

Most often, the owners of water equipment complain about the following malfunctions:

The power cord is damaged.
The water pressure has dropped, does not match the pump power.
The water supply has stopped.
When starting the electric pump "knocks out" the electrician.
High pressure pump motor does not start.
The pumping equipment switches itself off.
There was a hum, strong vibrations.
Overheating of the device.
Leakage of liquid inside the device.
There are problems with the control system.

Do-it-yourself repair of household models intended for the water supply system is carried out when it is possible to replace a broken part and the necessary spare parts are available, when it is easy to perform technical procedures, for example, to clean the unit. Pump repair always begins with disassembling the casing.The next step is diagnostics, which allows you to find a faulty part and select an identical one.

Available actions are: replacing the condenser, float, impeller, repairing the electrical cable, removing suspended particles that have entered with water, fixing the shock absorber.

First, a number of pre-repair measures common to all types of water pumps should be carried out:

Pull out the pump carefully. Carefully examine and study the constituent elements of the equipment.
Check the presence / absence of damage to the case, whether there is dirt or corrosion centers.
If the pump starts, listen to its operation, the detected side sound may indicate a defect. Extraneous noise indicates mechanical failure.
Turning off the machine and the pumping system as a whole often indicates a banal overload. Therefore, it is necessary to disassemble the junction box and make a visual inspection of the inside. A part that has overheated is visible to the naked eye, and a burning smell is also noticeable.
If the cause of the failure by this stage is not clear, the impeller is removed from the pump motor in order to check in which state the motor itself rotates - free or not. An attempt is made to manually scroll the structure shaft. If it does not rotate, it is probably a motor jam.

Do not forget about the position: before disassembling, the upper part of the electric motor must be vertical. Failure to do so will inevitably lead to oil leakage, which is the working fluid of the pumps. After installation, the cover is removed through which the power cables pass. After, using an ohmmeter, the starting capacitor is diagnosed.

Circulation pump device

An ohmmeter allows you to check the resistance of the working and starting windings. For this purpose, the terminals of the measuring device are connected to the winding, the handle rotates. You should not worry about the state of the winding if the ohmmeter shows resistance that does not reach infinity. Otherwise, the problem lies in the loss of the motor phase. Too little resistance is a "messenger" of turn-to-turn closure. In all of the above problems, the repair of the water pump should be carried out by a specialist.
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A pump for increasing water pressure has its own characteristic defects: holes in the cover, housing, and suction nozzle, cracks, wear of the shaft, bearings, wear of the wheel blades, corrosion damage. Cracks and fistulas in the pump cover and casing are eliminated by welding them, or by replacing parts with new ones. Shaft journals for bearings are restored by chrome plating or chrome plating. In this case, the liner bushings (sleeve bearings) are exclusively replaced.

If minor corrosion damage is found, deburring is required. The same is done in the case of erosive wear of the wheel blades. If the pump for increasing the water pressure has deep sinks, they are welded. The impeller fit is restored by building up a seat on the shaft using an electrolytic method or an elastomer.

At the end of the repair of the wheel and shaft, they are assembled and statistically balanced, the runout of the shaft journals (the norm is 0.02 mm), the end and radial runout of the wheel (0.04 mm) are checked. At the time of assembly of the pumping equipment, gaskets intended for sealing and stuffing box packing are replaced in the section of the cover and body connector. Then you need to adjust the gap between the wheel and the body from 2 sides (permissible value is 0.07 mm). Finally, check the rotation of the pump rotors, which should be without jamming. When aligning with an electric motor, do not forget to comply with the norms for kink and displacement, in accordance with the type of coupling.
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Repair of VVN pumps is extremely rare.The components and parts of the device do not come into contact with each other, and the working fluid lubricates them, which increases the pump's resource and extends its service life. However, VVN also has malfunctions. Start by assessing the nature of the breakdown. In many cases, the normal functioning of the pump is impaired by insufficient vacuum generation. A similar defect appears when excess air flow enters the inside of the structure of the vacuum water ring electric pump through loose seals, worn out oil seals.

Repair of liquid ring vacuum pump

During operation, make sure that the oil seals and the O-ring are in good condition, as their failure causes serious problems and the threat of damage to the entire mechanism. It is necessary to tighten all nuts and screws, replace the old seals.

Read also: DIY accent rail repair

The submersible pump may have other malfunctions. In order for the pump to always be in working order, it is necessary to subject it to preventive maintenance from time to time. The engine should be cleaned occasionally, as excess dirt will always cause it to overheat. This could cause the engine to burn.To clean the engine, you will have to remove the cover from the impeller. The most common use is a multi-bolt connection. They need to be removed and then reinstalled. Do not ignore the regular check of the amount of oil in the pump.

If the device shows resistance at the same time, then it is considered that the condition of the winding is ideal. But if the ohmmeter device detects infinite resistance, then there is a problem in the form of a break. Conclusion: the working phase of the motor is not working, there is an open circuit.

If the device shows a small resistance, then we can talk about an inter-turn circuit. Conclusion from the above - on your own, if it happened, it is not possible to fix it. It is better in such cases to contact a specialist. Since in most cases, replacing parts will not help, but only replacing all successive parts will help. Especially if the pump winding has not been fixed.

When viewed further, we look at the pump further. The device shows that everything is in order, we proceed to inspect the starting capacitor. Most often, a breakdown occurs in it. In other words, there is a cliff in it. When the pump is operating, such a problem does not immediately catch the eye, but upon a detailed examination with such a device as an ohmmeter, the breakdown will come out.

At the same time, do-it-yourself repairs of the starting capacitor can be done independently, without resorting to the help of a master. But if this does not work out for you, then it is better to replace the starting condensate with a new one. Since starting condensate is a fatal breakdown.
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Since submersible pumping equipment is used in many summer cottages and in country houses to solve various water supply problems, it is useful to be able to do a simple submersible pump repair for every owner of such equipment. This is especially true of mechanical breakdowns, which can be dealt with with your own hands if you know the cause of the breakdown and how to fix it. In our article, we will tell you how to repair deep well pumps yourself, describe the most common breakdowns and how to fix them. At the same time, we will describe the sequence of repairs and frequent malfunctions for the most common models of pumping equipment of the "Vodomot" and "Whirlwind" units. The video at the end of the article will help you understand the intricacies of repairing submersible pumps.Pumps of the brand "Vodomet" and "Whirlwind" are in great demand due to the simplicity of the design and simple repair of the downhole unit. The heart of any submersible pumping product is a compact cylindrical body. It is in this case that the engine with the impeller is put on its shaft. In this case, the impeller is separated from the engine compartment by means of a special insert. The shaft passes through it.Before proceeding with the repair of borehole pumps, it is necessary to assess the serviceability of its main units. To do this, do the following:

First, check the piston for damage and deformation. It should be straight and even.

The permeability of the suction port is then assessed. It is considered serviceable if air, penetrating from the side of the suction pipe, passes freely from both sides.

It is also worth measuring the distance between the piston and the coil magnets with your own hands. Normally, it should be in the range of 0.4-0.5 cm. If this value is greater, then the coils in the device may beat. If the clearance is reduced, the engine may overheat.

In addition, in "Vodojet" units and other similar models, it is necessary to measure the distance from the valve that closes the inlet to the device body. Normally, it should be from 0.7 to 0.8 cm. This will allow the liquid to flow freely from the unit in the absence of pressure.

You also need to make sure that malfunctions in the operation of the downhole unit are not caused by critical voltage surges. Therefore, using a special device, you need to measure the voltage in the network. It should be in the range of 200-240 V.

Since there are models of pumping equipment from different manufacturers on sale that differ in strength and design features, the repair and operation of such devices should be carried out taking into account the model. Since as a downhole unit you could have chosen not "Water cannon" or "Whirlwind", but a model of another brand, we decided to list the weaknesses of the most common pumping products, as well as the features of their repair:

Most Grundfos models have special thermal insulation for the engine and built-in valves. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to change the thermal insulation seals of the motor. This work can only be done by a professional.
Jileks brand pumps often encounter fluid leakage from the electric motor. For repair it is necessary to replace the fluid with a similar product. This can be done only in a special service center.
The most popular is the domestic pump "Malysh". Although the price of service repair is quite acceptable, it is not difficult to repair this device with your own hands. A common problem is that the unit makes a lot of noise after turning on, but does not pump water. This usually happens due to a rupture of the central axis on which the membrane and anchor are installed. Usually, disassembling the unit will quickly identify the problem. The axle needs to be replaced. You can find out more about the repair of the Malysh pump from the proposed video:

The downhole pump "Vodoley" quite often overheats during operation.This is especially true for units installed in shallow wells. However, since the repair of such equipment can be about half of its cost, then if an inexpensive pump breaks down, it is easier to buy a new device.

Pumps "Vodojet" and "Whirlwind" are a fairly reliable technique that, if used correctly, can serve for a long time without breakdowns. If not properly operated, the units can become clogged with silt and sand. For repairs, you will need to change the pumping part.

Pumping equipment "Rucheyok" is also famous for its ability to overheat. And this despite the design in compliance with European standards. According to the manufacturer's instructions, the device can work without stopping for 7 hours, but in practice this will cause overheating. Therefore, it is recommended to give the pump a break after 2-3 hours of operation.

As for Vodomet pumps or units of other brands, often the reasons for breakdowns can be:

silting of the impeller;
break in the supply cable;
failure of the rotor or stator.

To diagnose the problem with your own hands, you should adhere to the following rules:

To begin with, the unit must be removed from the well and performed for a test run. If the shaft rotates, the problem is with the impeller. It must be cleaned of silt and the unit can be assembled and operated further.
If the "Water cannon" pump does not even turn on during the test run, then first you need to check the power cable with a tester. To do this, check the voltage at the terminals of the engine compartment. If it is, then the cable is intact. Otherwise, you will have to replace it with a new cable.
If, when diagnosing a borehole pump, it turns out that everything is in order with the cable, then the cause of the malfunction lies in the electric motor. In this case, the product will have to be disassembled all the way to the engine compartment, remove the stator or rotor and rewind the winding.

To repair any pumping equipment with your own hands, you need to learn how to disassemble it. We will consider how to do this using the example of the "Water cannon" pump. Disassembly is performed in the following sequence:

Unscrew the perforated cylinder at the inlet pipe. This is a coarse filter that protects the product from sand and silting.
Next, all the washers, discs and "glasses" are dismantled from the shaft on the engine of the pump unit with their own hands. To make it easier for you to put the removed products back in the desired order, lay them side by side in the order in which you remove them.

It is important to know: the impeller consists of 16 removable parts, not counting the same anti-friction washers. Therefore, it is very important to follow the sequence of removal and refitting of all elements.

After that, it is necessary to dismantle the engine retaining ring from the "Vodojet" borehole pump. This part covers the engine compartment cover. To do this, you need to use a mallet. With the blow of this tool, we move the engine down, after that we pull the cord and return it back. After such manipulations, the O-ring will move. After that, the retaining ring is shifted towards the body with a screwdriver. As a result, the stopper will skew and it will be easy to remove it.
Next, we disconnect the wiring, open the engine compartment cover. After that, using a mallet and a screwdriver, you can remove the motor from the case.

As a result of such disassembly, the impeller and all its constituent elements can be easily washed and cleaned. The engine can be taken for diagnosis and repair to a specialized workshop. After cleaning and repairing, the assembly is carried out in the reverse order.

Most pumping products from different brands often face the same problems. We will list the most common ones and indicate what needs to be done to troubleshoot the problem:

Video instruction for the repair of the Vortex borehole pump:

Submersible pumps have to work in difficult conditions. They are constantly exposed to water, vibration, low temperature, abrasive particles, etc. But despite the fact that the units are made from parts with a large margin of safety, various malfunctions appear in them over time. To repair water pumps with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with the main symptoms that indicate certain breakdowns in the equipment.If malfunctions are noticed in the operation of a submersible pump, then it does not always need to be removed from the well for inspection. This recommendation only applies to pumping stations where pressure switch installed... It is because of him that the device may not turn on, not turn off or create a poor water pressure. Therefore, first the operability of the pressure sensor is checked, and only after that, if necessary, the pump is removed from the well.Important! In the case of submersible pumps that operate without accumulators, they should always be removed from the mine at the slightest sign of failure.It will be easier to diagnose water pump malfunctions if you first familiarize yourself with the most common failures of this unit.The reasons that the pump does not work may be the following.

Electrical protection tripped... In this case, disconnect the machine from the mains and turn the machine back on. If it knocks out again, then the problem should not be looked for in the pumping equipment. But when the machine is turned on normally, do not plug the pump into the network anymore, you must first find the reason why the protection worked.

Blown fuses... If, after replacing, they burn out again, then you need to look for the cause in the power cable of the unit or in the place where it is connected to the mains.

Cable damage has occurredunder water. Remove the device and check the cord.

Dry-running protection of the pump has tripped”. Before starting the machine, make sure it is immersed in liquid to the required depth.

Also, the reason that the device does not turn on may lie in the improper operation of the pressure switch installed in the pumping station. It is necessary to adjust the starting pressure of the pump motor.There may also be several reasons that the device does not pump water.

Shut-off valve closed... Turn off the device and slowly open the tap. In the future, you should not start the pumping equipment with a closed valve, otherwise it will fail.

The water level in the well has dropped below the pump... It is necessary to calculate the dynamic water level and immerse the device to the required depth.

Stuck check valve... In this case, it is required to disassemble the valve and clean it, if necessary replace it with a new one.

Clogged intake filter... To clean the filter, the hydraulic machine is removed and the filter mesh is cleaned and washed.

Also, the decrease in performance causes:

partial clogging of valves and gates installed in the water supply system;

partially clogged riser pipe of the apparatus;

depressurization of the pipeline;

incorrect adjustment of the pressure switch (applies to pumping stations).

This problem occurs if the submersible pump works in tandem with a hydraulic accumulator... In this case, frequent starts and stops of the unit can be provoked by the following factors:

the pressure in the hydraulic tank has dropped below the minimum (by default it should be 1.5 bar);

there was a rupture of the rubber bulb or diaphragm in the tank;

the pressure switch is not working properly.

If you notice that the water from the tap does not flow in a constant stream, then this is a sign of a decrease in the water level in the well below the dynamic... It is necessary to lower the pump deeper if the distance to the bottom of the shaft allows this.If the pump is humming, and water is not pumped out of the well, then there may be several reasons:

there was a "sticking" of the impeller of the apparatus with its body due to long-term storage of the apparatus without water;

defective motor start capacitor;

the voltage in the network sank;

the impeller of the pump is stuck due to dirt collected in the housing of the apparatus.

If the automation does not work, the pump will work without stopping, even if excessive pressure is created in the hydraulic tank (seen from the pressure gauge readings). It's all the fault pressure switchout of order or incorrectly adjusted.

Video (click to play).

Remove the mesh and turn the motor shaft by hand. If it does not spin, then the problem may be located either in the engine compartment or in the pumping part of the apparatus.

First, you need to disassemble the pumping part of the device. Unscrew the 4 screws holding the power cable channel and detach it from the device body.

Next, unscrew the 4 nuts holding the pump flange.

Now that you know how the hydraulic machine is disassembled, you can try to repair the submersible pump with your own hands.

Mostly impeller blocking occurs due to clogging them with sand or dirt deposits on them. In addition, the impellers can be soldered together when a high temperature occurs in the unit, when the pump is idling (dry running). To repair this section of the unit, it is necessary to remove the impeller (s) and remove the accumulated dirt. If the impellers are damaged, they will need to be replaced with new ones.

It is not recommended to repair the pump motor on your own, since it requires special knowledge and the necessary equipment to diagnose this unit and subsequent repairs.

On some pump models, removing the motor will require pressing it out using special equipment. Replacing the oil seal and bearing also carried out at the service center.

If engine hums and won't startthen the capacitor should be checked. It is located in the pump block in which the motor is mounted.

But when the shaft with the impellers rotates without problems, then in order to remove the hum in the water pump, you should disconnect the condenser and replace it with a new one. Better of course check this part with a multimeter, since similar symptoms can be caused by a short circuit in the motor windings.

The water pump motor is located in a special glass filled with oil, and by its condition it is possible to determine some breakdowns in the electric motor block.

The oil has a characteristic, unpleasant odor... This means that the engine is still in working order, but it has been working with great overloads.
Turbid oil - water has entered the engine housing due to a crack in the housing or failure of the oil seal (cuff).
Black oil with an unpleasant odor... In this case, we can say with great confidence that the varnish burned on the engine coils.

Important! Normally, the oil should be clear. Its quantity is determined by the unit model. On average, the volume of oil poured into the chamber is at the level of 0.5 liters.

If, when opening the engine, the above changes in the quality of oil were noticed, then first you need to repair this unit, and only after that fill in new grease.

Everyone knows what is dissolved in water some gas... When a liquid moves at a certain speed, rarefaction zones are sometimes formed in it. In these zones of reduced pressure, gas bubbles begin to emerge from the water. After the bubbles hit the high-pressure zone, they collapse. This process occurs with the release of a large amount of energy, from which the impellers and the pump volute are destroyed. The next photo shows the unit impeller destroyed by cavitation.

The energy of the collapsing bubbles is capable of creating shock wavescausing vibration. It spreads throughout the entire unit and affects not only the impeller, but also the bearings, shaft and seals, from which these parts quickly become unusable.

The cavitation effect can most often be observed in pumping stations that work for suction.... In such systems, the impeller creates a vacuum, due to which water rises through the hose from the well. But if there is a lack of liquid at the pump inlet, then an excessive vacuum occurs in the impeller zone, provoking cavitation.

Important! The most obvious signs of cavitation are vibration of pipes and the pump itself, as well as increased noise during its operation. If you do not take any measures to eliminate this process, then it can completely destroy the station.

To prevent cavitation in the pumps, you should adhere to the rule: there must be more water at the inlet than at the outlet. This can be achieved in several ways:

move the device a little closer to the source;
the diameter of the suction pipe (hose) can be increased;
to reduce the resistance in the suction section, the suction pipe can be replaced with a pipe made of smoother material;
if there are many turns on the suction pipe, then, if possible, their number should be reduced;
it is desirable that all bends have large turning radii.