Loud barracuda, help.

Jamesus · 09/10/2012, 11:34 PM

I just put a barracuda on my 180, and I can't stand how loud it is. It sounds more like a fan or humming sound then a vibration sound. Does them pump need time to break in to become less noisy? I have sound dampening pads from BRS but can't get them under it because of how I plumbed it before hand, but i'm not sure they would help because its more of a motor sound I think. Does anyone else have this problem or know any solutions?

Jamesus · 09/11/2012, 12:10 AM

Also its the gold barracuda

cav~firez22 · 09/11/2012, 01:16 AM

I had the same issues with one. I was told the motor bearings are shot. They replaced the pump. New one is better, still too loud IMO. but it is in the mechanical room so we deal with it now.

barrettrhoades · 09/11/2012, 07:41 AM

what cav farezz said.

I assume that it isn't a new motor, as bearings generally last a couple of years, unless your mechanical seal went bad and water entered the motor. You may be able to find a local pool/jacuzzi store that rebuilds motors. If it happens to be under warranty get them to send you a new pump.

Jamesus · 09/11/2012, 04:24 PM

Still can't figure it out. Here a picture of it plumbed in.

barrettrhoades · 09/12/2012, 07:22 AM

When the pump is running, try and determine exactly where the sound is coming from. Is it from the fan hitting the housing on the rear of the pump? Is it coming from inside the impeller housing? Or is it a higher pitched/ inconsistent noise coming from inside the motor, which would be the bearings. There are two sets of bearings in the motor. One set on the front, right behind the impeller housing, and one at the rear. If the motor has been in use some time, then usually it is the front bearings to go due to salt intrusion.

If the sound is coming from the fan housing, there is a small plastic cover on the fan housing that is directly in the rear. It is about the size of a quarter. Pop that off with a flathead screwdriver, and then use the flathead screwdriver to rotate the shaft. It should spin freely, without any resistance. If there is resistance on the fan itself, remove the cover, loosen the fan tightening screw and push the fan closer to the motor and re-assemble.

The other possibility to loud noise would be something trapped in the impeller. If you undue your unions, and remove the pump you can remove the volute on the front of the impeller housing by removing the 8 1/4" bolts and you can see if anything is trapped in the housing. This impeller should spin freely as well.

All motors will vibrate, however it should not be that loud, but that pump will be much louder than any mag-drive pump.

milhous3er · 09/12/2012, 07:55 AM

I got rid of a lot of the noise from my barracuda by switching to spa flex pvc. Just a short amount from the sump to ball valve then another short piece from ball valve to pump really helped my situation out. I had a terrible humming noise that I could feel the standard pvc vibrating. I can still hear my pump, but can definantly tell the spa flex helped.

09/10/2012, 11:34 PM	#1
Jamesus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 168	Loud barracuda, help. I just put a barracuda on my 180, and I can't stand how loud it is. It sounds more like a fan or humming sound then a vibration sound. Does them pump need time to break in to become less noisy? I have sound dampening pads from BRS but can't get them under it because of how I plumbed it before hand, but i'm not sure they would help because its more of a motor sound I think. Does anyone else have this problem or know any solutions?

09/11/2012, 12:10 AM	#2
Jamesus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 168	Also its the gold barracuda

09/11/2012, 01:16 AM	#3
cav~firez22 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 42	I had the same issues with one. I was told the motor bearings are shot. They replaced the pump. New one is better, still too loud IMO. but it is in the mechanical room so we deal with it now.

09/11/2012, 07:41 AM	#4
barrettrhoades Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 123	what cav farezz said. I assume that it isn't a new motor, as bearings generally last a couple of years, unless your mechanical seal went bad and water entered the motor. You may be able to find a local pool/jacuzzi store that rebuilds motors. If it happens to be under warranty get them to send you a new pump.

09/11/2012, 04:24 PM	#5
Jamesus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 168	Still can't figure it out. Here a picture of it plumbed in.

09/12/2012, 07:22 AM	#6
barrettrhoades Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 123	When the pump is running, try and determine exactly where the sound is coming from. Is it from the fan hitting the housing on the rear of the pump? Is it coming from inside the impeller housing? Or is it a higher pitched/ inconsistent noise coming from inside the motor, which would be the bearings. There are two sets of bearings in the motor. One set on the front, right behind the impeller housing, and one at the rear. If the motor has been in use some time, then usually it is the front bearings to go due to salt intrusion. If the sound is coming from the fan housing, there is a small plastic cover on the fan housing that is directly in the rear. It is about the size of a quarter. Pop that off with a flathead screwdriver, and then use the flathead screwdriver to rotate the shaft. It should spin freely, without any resistance. If there is resistance on the fan itself, remove the cover, loosen the fan tightening screw and push the fan closer to the motor and re-assemble. The other possibility to loud noise would be something trapped in the impeller. If you undue your unions, and remove the pump you can remove the volute on the front of the impeller housing by removing the 8 1/4" bolts and you can see if anything is trapped in the housing. This impeller should spin freely as well. All motors will vibrate, however it should not be that loud, but that pump will be much louder than any mag-drive pump.

09/12/2012, 07:55 AM	#7
milhous3er Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lancaster, Ohio Posts: 326	I got rid of a lot of the noise from my barracuda by switching to spa flex pvc. Just a short amount from the sump to ball valve then another short piece from ball valve to pump really helped my situation out. I had a terrible humming noise that I could feel the standard pvc vibrating. I can still hear my pump, but can definantly tell the spa flex helped.