Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Garretthes on February 26, 2017, 07:16:21 pm
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Hello! We bought a home recently and were fortunate to inherit a 10 year old Calspa. It's a two pump spa. Recently while we were in the spa and had the pumps running at maximum, one side just quick working. It's the side with the heavy duty jets. The other side works fine. Both motors are working too. Any ideas?
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Hello! We bought a home recently and were fortunate to inherit a 10 year old Calspa. It's a two pump spa. Recently while we were in the spa and had the pumps running at maximum, one side just quick working. It's the side with the heavy duty jets. The other side works fine. Both motors are working too. Any ideas?
Do you have a diverter valve that changes where the pumps push water?
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There are several knobs that control the water and air but they don't make any difference. Are you referring to a valve under the service panel? What does it look like?
Thanks
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There are several knobs that control the water and air but they don't make any difference. Are you referring to a valve under the service panel? What does it look like?
Thanks
It would be up on the edge of the tub and controllable from in the tub. And should send water to different jets.
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There are several diverters.
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So you were using the tub jets running and with out moving or changing anything half the jets quit working?
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Yes, that's exactly what happened.
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Failed diverter?
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If the tub has two pumps make sure they are actually running. If they are look in the cabinet for the slicer valves. They are white t handle looking things. Each pump will have two one on each side make sure they are both pulled all the way up. Careful you don't pull too hard and pull the handle all the way out. they should all look about the same. Do this and let me know. Did you say its an 06?
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It is an 06. I checked the handles the other day, They are all in the out position. The pumps both run.
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So which jets dont work what is the model of tub?
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It's a Cal spa 734L Avalon 6 person tub. There is a lounge seat on the side with the controls. These jets work. The jets on the same side/different corner as the filters don't work. This is the seat with all the high pressure jets that cover your back. There are similar jets on the opposite corner from the filters. These don't work either. So basically half the tub.
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Are you sure it has two pumps? Or just two speeds? Pump one has low and high speed if it has pump two it is high speed only whats the serial number? How many large divertors are there on the top should be at least one maybe two.
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I can take a photo of the diverters later this week. I took the access panel off to check that the pumps were working and saw the two pumps.
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Here is a video of my problem. Hope someone can help!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEd9yQRyF4A&feature=em-upload_owner
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Not sure exactly but a couple thoughts:
1) Still air in the pump (there should be a hose connection or an air bleed screw at the bottom of the pump you could try bleeding out
2) Broken or loose pump impeller?
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I looseened both lines going to the pump and water poured out. Didn't here any air.
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It's almost gotta be like Jacuzzi Jack suggested, a broken impeller. Doubt an airlock, as you said it was working then it just quit.
At this point close the slice valves and remove one of the fittings and see if the impeller is still attached.
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The impellers are made of a fiber-plastic. Rust can build up where the motor shaft fits into the impeller, expand and crack the impeller shaft. It's not uncommon to see cracks where the impeller fits to the shaft. In your case it might be a lot harder to get to the pumps with the deck being where it is. Once removed, unscrew the pump halves, secure the back of the motor with a screwdriver and twist the impeller and see if it slips.
There are a lot of videos on pump repairing. Here's one (below link). Given the age of your pumps, it wouldn't be a bad idea if there's something you see wrong, that you consider putting in a new impeller/seal. Who knows how long before it starts to leak anyway? Then you'll probably never have to touch it. Usually ya have to break the impellers off anyway to replace the seal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtPCjL7C-BA
Couple other things before you dig into the pump:
- Is there a way to check if something may have clogged the lines feeding that area of the tub? Is there a way to back flush using a hose into one of the jets to see if water flows out the other end (do it with pumps off).
- Are you sure that's the right diverter valve for the area with no water? (Just asking...)
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:) :)
Thanks for the good info! That video was great and it is the same pump I have. My tub has been leaking for a while and I wonder if it is the o ring with the impeller. I will have to remove some of the deck to get down there and do this right. I did try back feeding down the diverter valve and water came out of the jets that aren't working. When I did this I noticed some trash that looked like tissue came out of the jets. How would that get in there?
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I wonder if the impeller broke from the shaft?
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OK so I took the pump out of the calspa and opened it up. Here are the pics. It doesn't look good. I think the shaft rusted through completely. (https://wholeliferenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_8936.jpg)
(https://wholeliferenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_8438.jpg)
(https://wholeliferenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_2135.jpg)
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I would say this is good news. Now you have identified the problem and can fix it.
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Good lord was there a salt system on the spa that or someone wasn't keeping their PH/ALK in range. :o
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Good lord was there a salt system on the spa that or someone wasn't keeping their PH/ALK in range. :o
Or is it 20 years old?
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Was wondering a bit of the same. I mean that is really corroded, never seen that before in a shaft/impeller. Guessing you have over the years?
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We bought the house 14 months ago and I have kept the chemicals up to date since then. I have no idea what was done for the previous 10 years.
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So I guess I have to replace the pump? Probably not a shaft repair option
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Yes, I have seen plenty just like that.
I wouldn't bother trying to fix anything. Replace is your best option. Pump and motor. Is the tub in good shape? What year is it?
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It's in good condition but it is over 11 years old. What else might need replacing?
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It's in good condition but it is over 11 years old. What else might need replacing?
Start with the pump and motor. Other things are going to wear out and break but replace them as you go. Where do you live? The reason this matters is, what are the odds of freezing?
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Looking how corroded that one was the other motor/shaft can't be far behind. And if it's in the budget replace the other as well.
Pay me know or pay me later.
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I bought a replacement for mine on C/L, but by the time I changed a seal on mine, it wasn't that great of a deal. I'd just buy a new one and hopefully it'll last another 10 years.
Also, something else to check: according to the Spaguy, the drains always crack on these Calspa hot tubs. Mine's about the age of yours, I had my doubts but when I had mine empty, I checked it and sure enough the drain on mine's cracked like he showed! I ordered a new one for like $10-12. It's an easy and quick replacement if you have the water out. I had to trim the length of mine about 1/4" with a hack saw.
If you do replace yours, here's an install tip: Don't slather silicone sealer all over it like the Spaguy says because the seal will spit out as you tighten it. I went against my better judgement and did that and had to take it apart and redo. Rather, get everything nice and dry in the area, put a little silicone sealer on the threads (just a little) and a very small amount on the seal mating surface of the new drain piece (which will help lubricate it so you can tighten it more easily). Then, put the new rubber or silicone on the DRY tub surface (with both the seal and the tub surfaces dry) and tighten with a pliers. If you put the seal on the tub dry, it won't scoot around as you tighten it and you can get it nice and tight. If you silicone everything up, as soon as the seal just begins to get snug it'll spit out the seal before you can get it very tight.
The other thing that tends to cause trouble on older tubs is the heater can leak at the point where the electrodes go through the heater case which leads to the heater not working. But might as well wait till it gives you trouble.