Vortech MP40 gen-2 problem

Cliff · 06/11/2010, 09:43 AM

My MP40w gen-2 makes a fairly loud noise when the speed is cranked up to higher than 40% of the maximum setting and the flow drastically slows down. Does anyone have this problem?

Called the ecomarine tech support but the tech would not tell me what's wrong with it or how to adjust it without a serial number. I am not at home so not able to get the serial number.

Any experience? is the wetside defective?

jedheuer · 06/11/2010, 10:13 AM

It is probably not aligned right. Slowly and gently nudge one of the sides until the noise is lessened. Vortech recommends adjusting the dry side but i find it easier to move the wet side a little bit.

Cliff · 06/11/2010, 11:27 AM

Yes, I already tried re-aligning both the wet side and dry side. I could not find a position/alignment that will work. Also checked the spacer setting, pin, reassembled the wetside, etc...

neelix · 06/11/2010, 11:33 AM

I must say I have a love hate relationship with the MP40. When they work great but I have gone threw quite a few wet sides and they aren't cheap. Could just be the bearing I find them tough to troubleshoot.

jmik26 · 06/11/2010, 12:14 PM

I have been researching a lot on buying a vortech powerhead and most of the threads I saw that had problems they called the manufacture and got the problem taken care of. There is also a section on RC for for EcoTech marine that they seemed to respond to pretty quickly... Jeff

driftin · 06/11/2010, 12:56 PM

The flow significantly reduces? You may have reassembled the wetside incorrectly. For example either the bearing is binding or the prop is loose on the shaft.

Cliff · 06/11/2010, 01:02 PM

I followed the video on ecotech website and pretty sure I got it right. The flow significantly reduces when the noise picks up.

thanks, yes now I saw the reply from eco tech. So, the wetside appears to be shot only after a year and several months of usage.

I wonder how often you need to replace the wetside? it is not cheap at 75.00 plus shipping for a replacement.

cobra9 · 06/11/2010, 02:29 PM

I have wetsides that are 2+ years old still run great. I have a spare so if something does happen I can then order the pieces to fix it.

Hdhuntr01 · 06/11/2010, 02:53 PM

PM sent

Cliff · 06/15/2010, 12:36 AM

With serial numbe in hand, I again called the ecotech support today, and the official answer to my gen-2 mp40w problem is that the wetside needs to be rebuilt with complete shaft assembly (propeller, shaft, bearing, wahers). And also I was told they changed the wetside on the gen-2 mp40 sometime in Jan/Feb 2009. The one I have was purchased Dec 2008. So it only lasted just ~18 month of service.

I now wonder how often people need to replace/rebuild the pump wetsides. Any thoughts?

drclifton · 06/15/2010, 01:14 AM

I just re-did mine. If you buy the necessary parts outta their new parts store you can significantly reduce the cost. I think a "service kit" that includes 2 drive shafts etc. is only 20 bucks.

Cliff · 06/15/2010, 01:18 AM

Thanks, hmmm, total for the kit with shipping is 28.27, not too bad

how long did yours last?

overklok · 06/15/2010, 06:43 AM

I keep a couple of spare ceramic washers and shafts in a vinegar bath to keep them clean. The vortechs seem to collect a blackish residue on the white ceramic bearings, probably from the shaft and calcium buildup. I soak the spare bearings and shafts in vinegar, when I clean the vortecs (about every two weeks) I swap out clean bearings for gunked up bearings. I then put the old gunked up bearings in the vinegar so I always have a clean set of bearing ready to go. This helps to extend the life of the wetsides.

Cliff · 06/15/2010, 12:12 PM

It seems that the design of these mp40 wetsides are really prone to drag problem. Not to mention the uncertain tension exerted by the drive shaft screw also changes the wetside spin axis free play and drag. Too much tension translates to too much drag and wears out the bearing. Not enough tension then it wobbles and runs noisy.

Also keeping the wetside "too clean" may actually be conterproductive, the buildup of slippery slime coating on the inner parts would probably make the mp40 run smoother because it actully reduces drag. And cleaning takes away the slime lubrication, so newly cleaned "aged" mp40 would having problem running at full speed. I read many people reported noise problem when running their gen-2 mp40 at full speed. And the fact that ecotech changed their gen-2 wetside design also points to some design weakness that ecotech already knew.

For a pump costing hundreds of dollars, I am really surprised by the weak design of the mp40 wetside. I think the mp20 would have less of this problem simply it runs slower.

06/11/2010, 09:43 AM	#1
Cliff Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Los Angeles, san gabriel valley Posts: 481	Vortech MP40 gen-2 problem My MP40w gen-2 makes a fairly loud noise when the speed is cranked up to higher than 40% of the maximum setting and the flow drastically slows down. Does anyone have this problem? Called the ecomarine tech support but the tech would not tell me what's wrong with it or how to adjust it without a serial number. I am not at home so not able to get the serial number. Any experience? is the wetside defective?

06/11/2010, 12:56 PM	#6
driftin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,247	The flow significantly reduces? You may have reassembled the wetside incorrectly. For example either the bearing is binding or the prop is loose on the shaft. __________________ -Jim Current Tank Info: 70 gal custom room divider

06/11/2010, 02:53 PM	#9
Hdhuntr01 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woolmarket, MS Posts: 395	PM sent __________________ Red Sea Reefer 750XXL, Four Radion Pro's, NYOS Skimmer, APEX, Two EcoTech MP40QD and some other goodies. Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 750XXL

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Vortech MP40 Gen-2 problem	Cliff	EcoTech Marine	3	06/12/2010 11:30 AM

06/11/2010, 10:13 AM	#2
jedheuer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sonoma, Ca Posts: 558	It is probably not aligned right. Slowly and gently nudge one of the sides until the noise is lessened. Vortech recommends adjusting the dry side but i find it easier to move the wet side a little bit.

06/11/2010, 11:27 AM	#3
Cliff Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Los Angeles, san gabriel valley Posts: 481	Yes, I already tried re-aligning both the wet side and dry side. I could not find a position/alignment that will work. Also checked the spacer setting, pin, reassembled the wetside, etc...

06/11/2010, 11:33 AM	#4
neelix Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fitchburg, Mass Posts: 209	I must say I have a love hate relationship with the MP40. When they work great but I have gone threw quite a few wet sides and they aren't cheap. Could just be the bearing I find them tough to troubleshoot.

06/11/2010, 12:14 PM	#5
jmik26 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 146	I have been researching a lot on buying a vortech powerhead and most of the threads I saw that had problems they called the manufacture and got the problem taken care of. There is also a section on RC for for EcoTech marine that they seemed to respond to pretty quickly... Jeff

06/11/2010, 01:02 PM	#7
Cliff Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Los Angeles, san gabriel valley Posts: 481	I followed the video on ecotech website and pretty sure I got it right. The flow significantly reduces when the noise picks up. thanks, yes now I saw the reply from eco tech. So, the wetside appears to be shot only after a year and several months of usage. I wonder how often you need to replace the wetside? it is not cheap at 75.00 plus shipping for a replacement.

06/11/2010, 02:29 PM	#8
cobra9 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 700	I have wetsides that are 2+ years old still run great. I have a spare so if something does happen I can then order the pieces to fix it.

06/15/2010, 12:36 AM	#10
Cliff Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Los Angeles, san gabriel valley Posts: 481	With serial numbe in hand, I again called the ecotech support today, and the official answer to my gen-2 mp40w problem is that the wetside needs to be rebuilt with complete shaft assembly (propeller, shaft, bearing, wahers). And also I was told they changed the wetside on the gen-2 mp40 sometime in Jan/Feb 2009. The one I have was purchased Dec 2008. So it only lasted just ~18 month of service. I now wonder how often people need to replace/rebuild the pump wetsides. Any thoughts?

06/15/2010, 01:14 AM	#11
drclifton Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Posts: 197	I just re-did mine. If you buy the necessary parts outta their new parts store you can significantly reduce the cost. I think a "service kit" that includes 2 drive shafts etc. is only 20 bucks.

06/15/2010, 01:18 AM	#12
Cliff Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Los Angeles, san gabriel valley Posts: 481	Thanks, hmmm, total for the kit with shipping is 28.27, not too bad how long did yours last?

06/15/2010, 06:43 AM	#13
overklok Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 130	I keep a couple of spare ceramic washers and shafts in a vinegar bath to keep them clean. The vortechs seem to collect a blackish residue on the white ceramic bearings, probably from the shaft and calcium buildup. I soak the spare bearings and shafts in vinegar, when I clean the vortecs (about every two weeks) I swap out clean bearings for gunked up bearings. I then put the old gunked up bearings in the vinegar so I always have a clean set of bearing ready to go. This helps to extend the life of the wetsides.

06/15/2010, 12:12 PM	#14
Cliff Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Los Angeles, san gabriel valley Posts: 481	It seems that the design of these mp40 wetsides are really prone to drag problem. Not to mention the uncertain tension exerted by the drive shaft screw also changes the wetside spin axis free play and drag. Too much tension translates to too much drag and wears out the bearing. Not enough tension then it wobbles and runs noisy. Also keeping the wetside "too clean" may actually be conterproductive, the buildup of slippery slime coating on the inner parts would probably make the mp40 run smoother because it actully reduces drag. And cleaning takes away the slime lubrication, so newly cleaned "aged" mp40 would having problem running at full speed. I read many people reported noise problem when running their gen-2 mp40 at full speed. And the fact that ecotech changed their gen-2 wetside design also points to some design weakness that ecotech already knew. For a pump costing hundreds of dollars, I am really surprised by the weak design of the mp40 wetside. I think the mp20 would have less of this problem simply it runs slower.