Well pump decided to quit today

[Joseph Skoler]

Did you measure the stick up height of the motor shaft before disassembling? Less than 1.5" would show the motor thrust bearing was down to to heat. Does the pump spin freely? Is the pump shaft coupling stripped out? Most likely the motor got hot from recirculating water from the hole in the pipe. However, about 7 years ago was when Goulds and Pentair were making those two wire motors with bad starting capacitors. The starting capacitors were not made for continuous use as they should have been, and didn't last very long. The hole in the pipe would have caused the water to get hot as well as the pump to run continuously. Getting hot would have destroyed the thrust bearing and dropped the motor shaft. Bad split phase capacitors would not have dropped the shaft, just locked the motor down and give off a burned smell.

I didn't measure, but I'm pretty sure the splined shaft stick up more than 1.5"

The motor is seized -- cannot turn it.

I already have the new pump, but wouldn't mind having spare one around -- can I simply replace the capacitor(s)? I didn't try too hard, but even after removing the 3 bottom screws I couldn't disassemble the motor any further.

 

[Reach4]

can I simply replace the capacitor(s)?

No. A bad capacitor would not have seized the motor.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Joseph Skoler]

Got the new pump, pipe, wire, seal and associated plumbing installed today.

Water system is working better than ever -- great pressure, fast recovery, pressure on gauge on CSV holds even when pump isn't running.

Here's a bunch of pics. I'm sure it's far from perfect, but hopefully at least good enough.

Thank you all again so much!