Little Giant inline return pump running hot. Should I be worried?

OceanLyons · 05/08/2008, 12:14 AM

I have a Little Giant inline return pump. It hasn't been sounding quite right for a couple of weeks now, and its suction was reduced. I cleared out some chaeto from the intake to the pump, and the suction returned but it is still making a funny sound. I have cleaned the interior of the pump twice now.

Also, the pump feels like it is running hotter than it normally does. It has always been hot to the touch, so I could be mistaken.

How hot is too hot? I don't want a fire.

Thanks in advance.

buck50bmg · 05/08/2008, 05:32 AM

Ummm

I would be concerned with the bearing points of the impeller. Might have been damaged and now is giving more resistance to the motor.....thus more heat. I use Iwaki pumps and they have ceramic bearings. I dont know what little giants use. Might want to inspect the wear points.

RicksReefs · 05/08/2008, 07:11 AM

when was the last time you oiled it? little giants have two oiling ports that should be juiced at least every 6 months. one is at the top rear and the other is near the top front of the motor housing. oiling the bearings will reduce friction heat. if not oiled, some of that extra heat is transferred via the shaft to the water side.
but they're normally warm to the touch anyway (but shouldn't be 'ow' hot)

OceanLyons · 05/17/2008, 11:19 AM

I have not figured out where to put the oil. Could you point me in the right direction?

Thanks so much.

http://www.lgpc.com/ProductFiles/OM/994100.pdf

tpenn187 · 05/17/2008, 11:39 AM

right where the back over connects to the main body there should be a small hole on the top of the pump. there should also be a small hole on the front area approx where your top screw is located. can you get a better shot of the pump from directly over the pump, mainly the motor housing?

abulgin · 05/17/2008, 12:25 PM

The holes are plugged with little white stoppers. You need to remove these first. They should be where the cooling holes/slits are.

OceanLyons · 05/17/2008, 05:58 PM

I'll remove the pump later to try and get a better picture, and to oil it.

I have never figured out how to remove the black metal housing to the far right of the picture to get into the motor area. Is this not removable?

abulgin · 05/17/2008, 06:29 PM

Probably not, and you shouldn't have to remove the housing to oil the pump. If you look down on the pump, you will see two little white or yellow "caps". Just pull these off with needle-nose pliers, and add a few drops of oil to each.

OceanLyons · 05/17/2008, 08:42 PM

Yeah! I found them.

Mine was missing the caps. It's a used pump.

Thank you.

RicksReefs · 05/17/2008, 10:18 PM

a few drops of 30 weight motor oil in each port is all you need.

05/08/2008, 12:14 AM	#1
OceanLyons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,166	Little Giant inline return pump running hot. Should I be worried? I have a Little Giant inline return pump. It hasn't been sounding quite right for a couple of weeks now, and its suction was reduced. I cleared out some chaeto from the intake to the pump, and the suction returned but it is still making a funny sound. I have cleaned the interior of the pump twice now. Also, the pump feels like it is running hotter than it normally does. It has always been hot to the touch, so I could be mistaken. How hot is too hot? I don't want a fire. Thanks in advance. __________________ --- Darlene

05/17/2008, 11:19 AM	#4
OceanLyons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,166	I have not figured out where to put the oil. Could you point me in the right direction? Thanks so much. http://www.lgpc.com/ProductFiles/OM/994100.pdf __________________ --- Darlene Last edited by OceanLyons; 05/17/2008 at 11:24 AM.

05/17/2008, 05:58 PM	#7
OceanLyons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,166	I'll remove the pump later to try and get a better picture, and to oil it. I have never figured out how to remove the black metal housing to the far right of the picture to get into the motor area. Is this not removable? __________________ --- Darlene

05/17/2008, 08:42 PM	#9
OceanLyons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,166	Yeah! I found them. Mine was missing the caps. It's a used pump. Thank you. __________________ --- Darlene

05/08/2008, 05:32 AM	#2
buck50bmg Moved On Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 792	Ummm I would be concerned with the bearing points of the impeller. Might have been damaged and now is giving more resistance to the motor.....thus more heat. I use Iwaki pumps and they have ceramic bearings. I dont know what little giants use. Might want to inspect the wear points.

05/08/2008, 07:11 AM	#3
RicksReefs Moved On Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In America's Dangling Junk State. Posts: 6,413	when was the last time you oiled it? little giants have two oiling ports that should be juiced at least every 6 months. one is at the top rear and the other is near the top front of the motor housing. oiling the bearings will reduce friction heat. if not oiled, some of that extra heat is transferred via the shaft to the water side. but they're normally warm to the touch anyway (but shouldn't be 'ow' hot)

05/17/2008, 11:39 AM	#5
tpenn187 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: central illinois Posts: 630	right where the back over connects to the main body there should be a small hole on the top of the pump. there should also be a small hole on the front area approx where your top screw is located. can you get a better shot of the pump from directly over the pump, mainly the motor housing?

05/17/2008, 12:25 PM	#6
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	The holes are plugged with little white stoppers. You need to remove these first. They should be where the cooling holes/slits are.

05/17/2008, 06:29 PM	#8
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	Probably not, and you shouldn't have to remove the housing to oil the pump. If you look down on the pump, you will see two little white or yellow "caps". Just pull these off with needle-nose pliers, and add a few drops of oil to each.

05/17/2008, 10:18 PM	#10
RicksReefs Moved On Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In America's Dangling Junk State. Posts: 6,413	a few drops of 30 weight motor oil in each port is all you need.