Noisy Mag Pump

greene.phillip · 03/06/2013, 11:43 PM

Yes, Yes, I know mag pumps are noisy. But I don't think this is normal noise. I have taken it apart and cleaned it with no change. I made a video and put on youtube. It's a bit loud so check your volume level first. In the video you'll see it quiets down to just the "hum" or vibration noise once I close the gate valve down almost all the way. The noise just before it gets quiet is a more accurate representation of the noise it makes. At the end your hear the siphon break and start gurgling. Please save the "Buy a better pump" comments etc, however, If you have suggestions or thoughts about the cause I would appreciate them.

shifty51008 · 03/07/2013, 01:10 AM

The video is private on my end so cant watch it sorry

EllisJuan · 03/07/2013, 01:26 AM

Yep. Video is private.

azjohnny · 03/07/2013, 05:05 AM

If the pump is noisey try inspecting/replacing the impeller.....thats the only moving part

greene.phillip · 03/07/2013, 02:12 PM

Pretty clever of me. Should be public now. I inspected it during the cleaning and didn't see any problems. I may have to try replacing it but since it quiets down with head pressure it seems strange it would be that.

drew2007 · 03/07/2013, 02:17 PM

My mag 9.5 doesn't sounds anything like that. It's actually very quiet. Surprisingly!

greene.phillip · 03/07/2013, 08:22 PM

Yeah, I didn't think it was normal. Now anyone got any suggestions?

Eman79 · 03/07/2013, 08:41 PM

Mine was making a vibrating noise too. Took it apart expecting it to be dirty but it was pretty clean. The nose of the impeller was worn down to where you could see the nylon (white) screw inside. I gave it a quick wipe down and put it back together and the noise reduction was considerable. I didn't do anything to adjust it, but it apparently stopped rubbing. Yours may be doing the same, just not bad enough yet to notice the damage.

greene.phillip · 03/07/2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eman79

Mine was making a vibrating noise too. Took it apart expecting it to be dirty but it was pretty clean. The nose of the impeller was worn down to where you could see the nylon (white) screw inside. I gave it a quick wipe down and put it back together and the noise reduction was considerable. I didn't do anything to adjust it, but it apparently stopped rubbing. Yours may be doing the same, just not bad enough yet to notice the damage.

But the noise stops with increased head pressure. Would that be the case with a worn or otherwise troubled impeller?

Also, It's not vibration of the pump on the glass for sure. I can move it around and change the vibration noise. So it's something in the pump or something in the plumbing causing it.

greene.phillip · 03/08/2013, 12:51 AM

I've been thinking about this a lot. Based on recommendations and research I went with 1.5" return plumbing size. I assumed the quickest increase to that size would be ideal so I go from the 3/4" threads with bushing to 1" union and then up again to 1.5" barb to a piece of 1.5" spa flex and another 1.5" barb to a 45 degree into the gate valve. Total rise is about 4' from pump outlet to the highest point. I have attached a picture of the return pipe.

I don't know enough about plumbing and fluid dynamics to know if that could be that case. Anyone else know?

greene.phillip · 03/09/2013, 01:57 PM

Anyone have any ideas?

jimmyj7090 · 03/09/2013, 02:05 PM

Almost seems like it's cavitating. Is that intake strainer fouled up at all?

greene.phillip · 03/09/2013, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyj7090

Almost seems like it's cavitating. Is that intake strainer fouled up at all?

No absolutely clean, I took the pump apart and cleaned everything as well. It's clean start to finish.

greene.phillip · 03/10/2013, 12:34 PM

One last bump, it's driving me batty. I guess with no other suggestions ill try redoing the plumbing completely.

greene.phillip · 03/10/2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eman79

Mine was making a vibrating noise too. Took it apart expecting it to be dirty but it was pretty clean. The nose of the impeller was worn down to where you could see the nylon (white) screw inside. I gave it a quick wipe down and put it back together and the noise reduction was considerable. I didn't do anything to adjust it, but it apparently stopped rubbing. Yours may be doing the same, just not bad enough yet to notice the damage.

Well I don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner but i just unhooked the pump and flipped it over so it wouldn't blow water out the top of the sump and sure enough the noise is within the pump itself. It seemed to have more trouble getting started with some very noisy almost grinding noises before it stablized and then you could hear the same noise I'm complaining about just not quite as loud. So I guess I'll see if I can find a new impeller to test. Could there be other problems in the pump or is it really only the impeller that can get messed up?

greene.phillip · 03/11/2013, 12:10 AM

Bought a new improper today and problem persists. I guess something inside the pump is messed up though I didn't think there were any other moving parts?

alton · 03/11/2013, 06:05 AM

Sometimes the ceramic rod inside breaks, causing it to be noisey. With the new impeller it should fix the problem.

greene.phillip · 03/11/2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alton

Sometimes the ceramic rod inside breaks, causing it to be noisey. With the new impeller it should fix the problem.

Like I said. Bought a new impeller, problem persists.

Gbear · 03/11/2013, 10:09 AM

I've had Mag's like that. I've also had some that were very good.
I'd say they are a bit hit and miss. Does is stay cool or is it heating up more than you would expect?
Once it has run for awhile it may work itself in. On the other hand it might just get worse. Depends on what the problem is. Myself I'd call it normal for a Mag.
The plumbing itself will run a bit better after it has a 'slime coat' built up. I'm not sure but this might also be the case for your pump.

Overall if you can't live with it you will want to change brands not just keep trying Mags.
But that is just an opinion.

Best of luck.

greene.phillip · 03/11/2013, 10:47 AM

I really can't think it's normal. After running a while it's "warm" but nothing unusual I'd say.

As I've said it's not in the plumbing as it makes the noise detached from the plumbing. I've seen plenty of videos of mag 9.5's that don't make the noise so something is wrong with the pump. I don't know what, but something.

Either way, thanks for your input.

alton · 03/11/2013, 11:48 AM

I did not see this question asked yet" How old is the pump?" I have a mag 7 that is about ten years old and I only use it for water changes because one it is noisey plus it draws twice as much power as listed on the label. I had a mag 3 that ran 24/7 on my skimmer for 9 years and never had an issue until the day id died.

greene.phillip · 03/11/2013, 11:49 AM

~2 Years and not even used part of the time. I guess it's time to consider replacements. Anyone have suggestions that could reuse my 1.5" Plumbing line? I think I'll have to make it smaller for any other pumps...

ktweddle · 03/11/2013, 02:47 PM

I am working on my Mag 12 today due to some noise and it causes vibration in the pvc piping.

What I found was the seat for the rubber bushing located on the removable plate is worn. the impeller and bushing look ok but the seat for it is worn oblong and I am trying to get a look at the one located down inside the impeller chamber now. If its just the plate I can get a new one for $10 mailorder. If the one inside is gone too then its a new pump for $300

alton · 03/11/2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greene.phillip

~2 Years and not even used part of the time. I guess it's time to consider replacements. Anyone have suggestions that could reuse my 1.5" Plumbing line? I think I'll have to make it smaller for any other pumps...

Well sorry that sucks

OldSalt1945 · 10/12/2015, 08:44 PM

Thanks for the hint about the oblong bearing seat. I have a MAG 36 that I bought used with a VERY bad impeller (shaft split open exposing the magnet). I replaced the impeller. It throws a HUGE amount of water, but it is horribly noisy. I will check the bearing seat in the morning.

An oblong bearing seat can be renewed with epoxy. Put vaseline on everything that might get epoxy slobbered on it. Make sure the inside of the bearing seat is clean and dry. Put a VERY small amount of well mixed epoxy in the seat hole. Just enough to replace what was worn away. Put the well vaselined (but no lumps or bumps - the coating should be very smooth and even and only a hair thick) impeller end bearing into the seat to form the epoxy. Using the pump body and cap and paper shims to ensure concentricity of the shaft to the bore of the pump, assemble the pump and let the epoxy set.

Take it all apart, clean it up, and try it. Might work. Beats $300 for a pump.

John

View Poll Results: Is this noise normal?
Yep, Normal Mag Pump Noise.	2	16.67%
Nope, that's not normal.	10	83.33%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

03/06/2013, 11:43 PM	#1
greene.phillip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 89	Noisy Mag Pump Yes, Yes, I know mag pumps are noisy. But I don't think this is normal noise. I have taken it apart and cleaned it with no change. I made a video and put on youtube. It's a bit loud so check your volume level first. In the video you'll see it quiets down to just the "hum" or vibration noise once I close the gate valve down almost all the way. The noise just before it gets quiet is a more accurate representation of the noise it makes. At the end your hear the siphon break and start gurgling. Please save the "Buy a better pump" comments etc, however, If you have suggestions or thoughts about the cause I would appreciate them.

03/07/2013, 01:10 AM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	The video is private on my end so cant watch it sorry __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

03/07/2013, 02:17 PM	#6
drew2007 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 976	My mag 9.5 doesn't sounds anything like that. It's actually very quiet. Surprisingly! __________________ 110g rimless, Elite Aquatics sump, JNS ConeS Co2, ATI Sunpower, Vortech, Digital Aquatics RKE

03/09/2013, 02:05 PM	#12
jimmyj7090 aka John K Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sudbury Posts: 2,367	Almost seems like it's cavitating. Is that intake strainer fouled up at all? __________________ my reef ate my wallet Current Tank Info: 57G, RBTA's Zoa's and softies

03/07/2013, 01:26 AM	#3
EllisJuan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 1,366	Yep. Video is private.

03/07/2013, 05:05 AM	#4
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	If the pump is noisey try inspecting/replacing the impeller.....thats the only moving part

03/07/2013, 02:12 PM	#5
greene.phillip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 89	Pretty clever of me. Should be public now. I inspected it during the cleaning and didn't see any problems. I may have to try replacing it but since it quiets down with head pressure it seems strange it would be that.

03/07/2013, 08:22 PM	#7
greene.phillip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 89	Yeah, I didn't think it was normal. Now anyone got any suggestions?

03/07/2013, 08:41 PM	#8
Eman79 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 87	Mine was making a vibrating noise too. Took it apart expecting it to be dirty but it was pretty clean. The nose of the impeller was worn down to where you could see the nylon (white) screw inside. I gave it a quick wipe down and put it back together and the noise reduction was considerable. I didn't do anything to adjust it, but it apparently stopped rubbing. Yours may be doing the same, just not bad enough yet to notice the damage.

03/09/2013, 01:57 PM	#11
greene.phillip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 89	Anyone have any ideas?

03/10/2013, 12:34 PM	#14
greene.phillip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 89	One last bump, it's driving me batty. I guess with no other suggestions ill try redoing the plumbing completely.

03/11/2013, 12:10 AM	#16
greene.phillip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 89	Bought a new improper today and problem persists. I guess something inside the pump is messed up though I didn't think there were any other moving parts?

03/11/2013, 06:05 AM	#17
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	Sometimes the ceramic rod inside breaks, causing it to be noisey. With the new impeller it should fix the problem.

03/11/2013, 10:09 AM	#19
Gbear Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 115	I've had Mag's like that. I've also had some that were very good. I'd say they are a bit hit and miss. Does is stay cool or is it heating up more than you would expect? Once it has run for awhile it may work itself in. On the other hand it might just get worse. Depends on what the problem is. Myself I'd call it normal for a Mag. The plumbing itself will run a bit better after it has a 'slime coat' built up. I'm not sure but this might also be the case for your pump. Overall if you can't live with it you will want to change brands not just keep trying Mags. But that is just an opinion. Best of luck.

03/11/2013, 10:47 AM	#20
greene.phillip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 89	I really can't think it's normal. After running a while it's "warm" but nothing unusual I'd say. As I've said it's not in the plumbing as it makes the noise detached from the plumbing. I've seen plenty of videos of mag 9.5's that don't make the noise so something is wrong with the pump. I don't know what, but something. Either way, thanks for your input.

03/11/2013, 11:48 AM	#21
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	I did not see this question asked yet" How old is the pump?" I have a mag 7 that is about ten years old and I only use it for water changes because one it is noisey plus it draws twice as much power as listed on the label. I had a mag 3 that ran 24/7 on my skimmer for 9 years and never had an issue until the day id died.

03/11/2013, 11:49 AM	#22
greene.phillip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 89	~2 Years and not even used part of the time. I guess it's time to consider replacements. Anyone have suggestions that could reuse my 1.5" Plumbing line? I think I'll have to make it smaller for any other pumps...

03/11/2013, 02:47 PM	#23
ktweddle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 20	I am working on my Mag 12 today due to some noise and it causes vibration in the pvc piping. What I found was the seat for the rubber bushing located on the removable plate is worn. the impeller and bushing look ok but the seat for it is worn oblong and I am trying to get a look at the one located down inside the impeller chamber now. If its just the plate I can get a new one for $10 mailorder. If the one inside is gone too then its a new pump for $300

10/12/2015, 08:44 PM	#25
OldSalt1945 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 4	Thanks for the hint about the oblong bearing seat. I have a MAG 36 that I bought used with a VERY bad impeller (shaft split open exposing the magnet). I replaced the impeller. It throws a HUGE amount of water, but it is horribly noisy. I will check the bearing seat in the morning. An oblong bearing seat can be renewed with epoxy. Put vaseline on everything that might get epoxy slobbered on it. Make sure the inside of the bearing seat is clean and dry. Put a VERY small amount of well mixed epoxy in the seat hole. Just enough to replace what was worn away. Put the well vaselined (but no lumps or bumps - the coating should be very smooth and even and only a hair thick) impeller end bearing into the seat to form the epoxy. Using the pump body and cap and paper shims to ensure concentricity of the shaft to the bore of the pump, assemble the pump and let the epoxy set. Take it all apart, clean it up, and try it. Might work. Beats $300 for a pump. John Last edited by OldSalt1945; 10/12/2015 at 08:52 PM.