How Many Years Should A Water Pump Last?

[Jimi007]

I think mine is almost seven years old and it just quit in the middle of a washing machine cycle. I still have power out to it, but the motor won't run... Pretty sure it's time for a new one! Just was wonder how long they usually last...

[wimpy]

It is often the capacitor that goes. An easy and cheap fix.

[sezze]

Most things on a pump are easily fixed . When you have rusting problems it might get more expensive and then it is probably time for a replacement .

[David006]

It is often the capacitor that goes. An easy and cheap fix.

+1 I was recommended by a pump shop guy, last time I bought one, to use a higher microfarad can't remember but think it was 4 instead of 2..maybe that's all he had in stock..worked okay though...5 years now...?

Probably someone like Crossy may be able to tell if a good idea or not.

[katabeachbum]

depends on how often it has pumped air, not water

4-7k baht for a new one

7 years daily use, I wouldnt repair if engine is stuck

If you want to repair

1. Chao Fa east, pass Zoo junction, next to Supecheaps new convinience store

2. Town. Makita shop

Try a couple of knocks with a hammer on engine first

[David006]

depends on how often it has pumped air, not water

4-7k baht for a new one

7 years daily use, I wouldnt repair if engine is stuck

If you want to repair

1. Chao Fa east, pass Zoo junction, next to Supecheaps new convinience store

2. Town. Makita shop

Try a couple of knocks with a hammer on engine first

a big 'ammer!!! good one..sometimes works..

if nothing ...power off...try taking the cover off the pressure switch and flicking the little tab which is attached to the contacts against the spring pressure( use an insulated screwdriver!!!) if it turns on then ..off power ..take it out of pump and give it a clean..(just two screw terminals ...just had an ant fry itself between contacts in mine..don't ask how!) There is a screw on top usually with which you adjust start pressure..may have to fiddle after you clean contacts...

.if the motor hums when you turn on the water it is probably the capacitor...try flicking fan blades..will start okay usually..then go buy a capacitor

[Kwasaki]

Mine is 3 years old a Mitsi with 5 year garantee so I expect to last 5 years and 1day or 1 hour.

I take the cover off once a month and check it, clean if wanted, there was a mice nest last time I checked.

Edited October 2, 2011 by Kwasaki

[Jimi007]

depends on how often it has pumped air, not water

4-7k baht for a new one

7 years daily use, I wouldnt repair if engine is stuck

If you want to repair

1. Chao Fa east, pass Zoo junction, next to Supecheaps new convinience store

2. Town. Makita shop

Try a couple of knocks with a hammer on engine first

It had overheated a few time and I kept having to drain the tank as it would fill too full making the pressure switch not work properly. The motor had some corrosion, and it was starting to look rusty. Plus it was 7 years old. I went to the pump shop that's on Chao Fa East on the opposite corner of the road where the school is where you turn to go to immigration. I had my wife call and see if they had the same model and the price. They said that one is old, and they have the newer one. Same fittings, so it an easy change. When I took it out the bottom water, below the drain plug, in the tank was pretty rusty. Got it for 5,900 Baht, so good to go! Glad I got it on Monday after the rain and before the flooding today!

Anyway, thanks for all the replies!

Edited October 5, 2011 by Jimi007

[Pib]

On my Mitsubishi WP-255 pump I've had two problems.

First problem occurred after about 2.5 years and was the the air volume control which feeds a small amount of air back into the top of the tank to keep air pressure/air cushion on top of the water constant which keeps the pump from having to kick-on for small quantities of water draw....keeps the pump from getting water logged. This air volume control is an usually an octagon shaped device that screws into the top of the tank with a small diameter black hose running from the top of the control to the intake side of the pump manifold. The rubber diaphragm within the air volume control had developed a small hole which allowed the tank to become water logged which caused the pump to run even for the smallest use of water...which can also cause the pump to overheat. A replacement air volume control cost 800 baht.

Second problem was the pressure control/electrical switch which controls the pump cut-on and cut-off pressures....this went bad at about the 4 year point. The electrical contacts in the switch were not disengaging causing the pump to continue to run and build up to much pressure....actually causing one of the manifold screw-on caps to pop off. Cleaning the switch didn't really help because the switch contacts were burnt....it was causing intermittent operation in terms of the pump not turning off....continuing to run. Fortunately, I was at home when this problem developed during the day and was able to turn the power off to the pump. Additionally, if something is keeping the switch from fully contacting/engaging (insects, burnt contatcts, etc) that would cause the pump motor not to kick-on. A replacement pressure/electrical switch also cost 800 baht.

I bought and replaced both myself...not hard to do at all. I also have a replacement 4 microfarad (uf) capacitor on standby which helps to kick start the motor whenever it turns on....a startup capacitor is critical to providing that extra voltage kick to get the motor going (just like in many fan motors)....you can usally buy these capacitors at electronic stores like Amorn Stores usually in Lotus malls...this is where I bought my spare capacitor....the capacitor cost about 30 baht. Usually startup capacitors will last many years but you never know if many years will be a couple of years or 20 years depending on the quality of the capacitor. The last startup capacitor I replaced was on my central air conditioner condensor/ompressor unit at my previous home....the capacitor kick-started the fan on the compressor uint....this startup capacitor had lasted about 12 years.