BIG Problem with Vortech MP40

[andremigsilva]

My Vortech mp40 wet side is full of rust.
I have made a normal and responsible use of the pump.
However as It was making more and more noise I decided to remove it to clean and I came across this scenario. Despite the years I have it, I do not see a reason for a bomb so expensive have these kind of problems.

Have you faced any problem like this?








Thanks a lot for all the help you can give me

AJS

[scuzy]

I think ecotech is aware of this defect. Give them a call they usually replace the wet side.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rtparty]

Becoming quite normal here on the forums. Ecotech knows of the problem and usually replaces the wetside. Sadly, a lot of tanks are having issues because of this exact issue.

One reason I am sticking with my Tunze 6045 for now. Ecotech needs to figure this out because they are too expensive for this issue to continue to happen IMO

[EcoTech Marine]

Originally Posted by rtparty

Becoming quite normal here on the forums. Ecotech knows of the problem and usually replaces the wetside. Sadly, a lot of tanks are having issues because of this exact issue.

One reason I am sticking with my Tunze 6045 for now. Ecotech needs to figure this out because they are too expensive for this issue to continue to happen IMO

We sell tens of thousands of VorTech pumps annually and our quality numbers for defective wet sides are below one percent- that's for the entire assembly not just any one part. If there are many users in forums reporting about their issues, how many tens of thousands are reporting about their pump working perfectly?

This user's issue is for a first Gen VorTech which featured a different magnet than the latest QuietDrive pumps, we did experience higher issues with those units but nothing to warrant any alarm and they are now about three years out.

To the original poster- if you were in the US I'd be able to help you out on a new wet side (QuietDrive style). Since you are not I recommend you contact your local distributor and see what they can do for you; if you are outside of warranty I would ask them if they'd be willing to discount a replacement wetside for you. That decision ultimately would be up to them to make.

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by EcoTech Marine

We sell tens of thousands of VorTech pumps annually and our quality numbers for defective wet sides are below one percent- that's for the entire assembly not just any one part. If there are many users in forums reporting about their issues, how many tens of thousands are reporting about their pump working perfectly?

This user's issue is for a first Gen VorTech which featured a different magnet than the latest QuietDrive pumps, we did experience higher issues with those units but nothing to warrant any alarm and they are now about three years out.

To the original poster- if you were in the US I'd be able to help you out on a new wet side (QuietDrive style). Since you are not I recommend you contact your local distributor and see what they can do for you; if you are outside of warranty I would ask them if they'd be willing to discount a replacement wetside for you. That decision ultimately would be up to them to make.

Good news but like you said, we don't hear the positive. Never will. Not how people work.

In the last month there have been numerous threads with this problem. Not just 1st Gen either. How many people aren't reporting the issues and how many don't know their pump is broken?

I'm not speaking ill of Ecotech here. Just letting the OP know that this IS a problem and IS known about here on the forums.

If that's not okay, so be it.

[ClownMan727]

Most companies would see this and offer to help with the problem. Not EcoTech. The customer service and customer contact is terrible. When you call and the guy on the phone say "Hello" in a voice like he just woke up and could care less if you called or not sucks. Not sure how much longer they can keep this up.

[ca1ore]

Stop, please. I've got all sorts of ETM stuff at home. It's been reliable and when it hasn't a phone call to customer service has reasonably resolved my issues. FWIW, I currently own 7 vortech pumps, none of which have exhibited the rusting problem the OP showed. How's that for positive! I've also seen plenty of tanks running these pumps incorrectly, either not using the proper spacer or not securing the dry side properly. No company should be responsible for stupid customers. Heck, I'm one of them - having filled one of my drivers with salt water by accident a few years ago. Not good.

[luvreefs23]

I've had experience with 10s of thousands of dollars worth of etm products as well and. Prying major and if there was something wrong they took care of it. When a product is expensive I think people who refused to spend the money on it feel vindicated when what they wouldn't buy has an issue. Haterz

[tjnorthdakota]

14 yr design patent runs out in 2019 then we will probably see other manifacturers make a wetside/dryside design also, hopefully competition will drive improvement.

[andremigsilva]

Originally Posted by EcoTech Marine

To the original poster- if you were in the US I'd be able to help you out on a new wet side (QuietDrive style). Since you are not I recommend you contact your local distributor and see what they can do for you; if you are outside of warranty I would ask them if they'd be willing to discount a replacement wetside for you. That decision ultimately would be up to them to make.

In fact your brand is considered a premium brand for the quality of the machines.
But as with anything else that has technology, they are not free from malfunctions .. The pump I bought you has normal use based on the average life of these machines and is damaged after a few years.
Your brand should therefore, and once this happens to a minority of cases, promote the exchange of this equipment thus promoting seriousness and trust between brand and consumers.
Only then, even in malfunction situations, can you maintain a very positive customer experience. This type of after-sales service enhances your brand, gives consumers confidence in your products and services, especially after-sales service.
Trying to be objective, this complaint is due to the fact that the machine did not suffer any kind of bad handling. The machine itself has been damaged over time, 4 years, its far below the 10 or 15 years they should last.
So, I leave it to you to consider the possibility of changing it, because as you say, it is 1 in 1,000.

Saying that you could resolve my problem if i was in de US but not in europe, do not pay in your favor. We live in a WW...

Thanks again for the consideration.

[alton]

Whether I contacted Ecotech by Email or Phone there service and response was excellent. The only thing I see missing here is maybe a EU service rep? If there is a problem with Tunze we don't contact Germany, we contact Roger with Tunze USA. Since Ecotech is growing so well world wide maybe setting up an office in Europe would help with future sales?

[MondoBongo]

Originally Posted by andremigsilva

its far below the 10 or 15 years they should last.

i'm curious, what do you base this 10 or 15 years on?

the wet sides are fairly cheap. i had one for about 3 years, it started chattering a bit, presumably from a worn bearing, so i bought a replacement. that seemed like a totally reasonable serviceable life to me?

as for their support, they've always been helpful and responsive when i've needed stuff. not sure if that's different outside the US.

[jda]

Originally Posted by tjnorthdakota

14 yr design patent runs out in 2019 then we will probably see other manifacturers make a wetside/dryside design also, hopefully competition will drive improvement.

Patents do not stop Jebao. If they thought that this was a good money maker, they would have already stolen the idea already like they have with all of their other stuff.

I can totally do without the numbers on the failures or positive - either way. They are just too Trumpian to me - just focus on reporting and solving a particular problem, or even just sharing a positive personal experience, and look like an adult by leaving the conjecture out of it. These type of argument can look particularly bad when a time period is reached where the tide can turn for the worst and just look like excuses. Any numbers prove nothing and are suspect at best since only a fraction of hobbyists will even post online about good or bad things.

[jubjub47]

I'm not sure why nobody has even mentioned the fact that the plastic housing of this wetside has been broken which probably led to this situation in the first place. As a very large retailer we have sold several hundreds of Vortechs and I can only remember 1 or 2 instances that we've had to contact Ecotech about a rusted magnet. We also service over 1000 customers a month, many with vortechs that we see regularly and don't run into this issue. From what I have seen the numbers are definitely very minimal and I totally believe the less than 1% return rate.

[d2mini]

I'm a little confused, and maybe its a language barrier thing, but if I'm understanding correctly, you got several years of use out of your wetside, well beyond the warranty period? And the problem is??? The wet sides are a "wear" item. They won't last forever. A new one is 75 bucks (USD).

[TigeBell]

Originally Posted by d2mini

I'm a little confused, and maybe its a language barrier thing, but if I'm understanding correctly, you got several years of use out of your wetside, well beyond the warranty period? And the problem is??? The wet sides are a "wear" item. They won't last forever. A new one is 75 bucks (USD).

exactly what I was thinking. to add on that idea: the equipment was introduced into a corrosive salt water environment.

Ecotech also suggests that the wetside gets replaced approximately every 18 months. http://ecotechmarine.com/faq/replacement-parts

[tkeracer619]

Being 4 years out it is kind of tough to expect them to replace it. I've had nothing but great service from ETM over the years. If it were me I would replace the wetside and take the avenue the manufacturer suggested.

Can't say I have ever seen one that bad. It's always a good idea to give your wetside a soak in vinegar every couple of months. They seem to last a lot longer that way. I have a couple very old wetsides that still function like new.

[Mr. Brooks]

I've had several wet sides do this to a lesser extent (magnet swelling). I chalked it up to normal wear and tear. Tossed them and bought new wet sides. Yes it's a little annoying but whatever. I got many years out of them. Saltwater fish tanks are extremely harsh environments.

[Zacktosterone]

Originally Posted by TigeBell

exactly what I was thinking. to add on that idea: the equipment was introduced into a corrosive salt water environment.

Ecotech also suggests that the wetside gets replaced approximately every 18 months. http://ecotechmarine.com/faq/replacement-parts

Originally Posted by Mr. Brooks

I've had several wet sides do this to a lesser extent (magnet swelling). I chalked it up to normal wear and tear. Tossed them and bought new wet sides. Yes it's a little annoying but whatever. I got many years out of them. Saltwater fish tanks are extremely harsh environments.

remember that the item should be "designed" for a corrosive saltwater environment because it is being used in this environment and advertised for this environment so this is not fair to bring up as a factor because it is supposed to be engineered for it specifically. taht being said, it's the same as saying that a space suit failed because it was in the vacuum of space.... it's designed for it so it shouldn't matter

[TigeBell]

Originally Posted by Zacktosterone

remember that the item should be "designed" for a corrosive saltwater environment because it is being used in this environment and advertised for this environment so this is not fair to bring up as a factor because it is supposed to be engineered for it specifically. taht being said, it's the same as saying that a space suit failed because it was in the vacuum of space.... it's designed for it so it shouldn't matter

ok, ETM suggests changing the wet side at least every 18 months. Spacesuits have expiration dates and don't last forever either. LOL

either way, the OP had a long time with the wet side and has been asked to contact his LFS and obtain a new wet side.

[andremigsilva]

Originally Posted by Zacktosterone

remember that the item should be "designed" for a corrosive saltwater environment because it is being used in this environment and advertised for this environment so this is not fair to bring up as a factor because it is supposed to be engineered for it specifically. taht being said, it's the same as saying that a space suit failed because it was in the vacuum of space.... it's designed for it so it shouldn't matter

You said it ALL

[andremigsilva]

BTW
I have an Ehein pump running in this adverse environment for 10 years. Never changed an o-ring even.

[d2mini]

If it wasn't designed for a SW environment, it would fail catastrophically within the first month.
Having a highly corrosive item (magnet in this case) that is extremely difficult to seal completely inside another material, especially in this application with delicate moving parts... i'd say getting several years of 24/7 use is pretty good.
And again, we're talking about a $75 part.
If you want to add a zero to that, maybe it can be re-engineered to be completely indestructible.

[LQT]

If you want innovation and form factor, go with a Vortech. If you want no frills reliability and longevity go with Tunze. I own both!

[bblumberg]

Originally Posted by andremigsilva

BTW
I have an Ehein pump running in this adverse environment for 10 years. Never changed an o-ring even.

+10 to this. My Eheim filters and pumps are running for more than 10 and as long as 25 years (my oldest 2217) with only occasional maintenance (replace broken impeller shaft, replace lid on filter after I cracked it).

I am also of the opinion that ETM products are sold at a premium price point and should have a comparable (premium) lifetime. I had two > 10 year old Tunze 6025 nanostreams that became problematic due to a first generation design defect. Tunze sold me replacements (6105s for my new tank) at a very steep discount (far below retail pricing). If others don't mind replacing expensive parts (like the wet side) every 18 months, that is fine with me. I would not tolerate that.

I have not yet purchased anything from ETM, but will automatically never buy from a vendor who responds to a customer's legitimate complaint by saying that very few others have that problem. Whether this is true or not is a completely irrelevant point. So ETM, I am glad to hear that you don't need the business.