Eheim 1260 motor works, won't pump water

[Drewcipher]

I have an H&S skimmer with 2 Eheim 1260 pumps feeding it. One of the pumps has stopped working. The motor appears to be fine, the pin wheel just doesn't seem to turn. The pump is very clean, no abrasions on the magnet. No cracks on any of the parts, and the 3 bushings seem to be in great shape. If you want pictures to see the parts, I will provide them, but all in all, I think the pump looks to be in pristine condition.

Anyone have any ideas as to what is wrong with it?

[fishaholic911]

It sounds like something is binding the impeller. Are the rubber gromets on the shaft in place, are there groves in the front cover. Also the pump might have gotten weak so it will not work under a load but will seem to perform with the impeller out.

[fishaholic911]

You have 2 pumps so you could try switching the front cover and impeller and see if the performance of the 2 pumps change.

[Drewcipher]

The shaft is in the grommets, but the grommets are stuck in the casing and in the impeller. They are not attached to the shaft any longer. I will check for grooves.

I am a little hesitant to switch the parts because I don't want to screw up another pump.

[Drewcipher]

Ok, so I got impatient and took apart the second pump that works. I found 2 differences. On the pump that works, there is a metal impeller, not a plastic needle wheel. The second difference is that the shaft magnet and impeller blades are all one fused piece that does not come apart. on the broken pump, the shaft needle wheel and magnet all fall into 3 pieces very easily.

Any ideas?

[dahenley]

post some pictures....
im sure it can be as easy fix or suggestions to get you going, but im a little confused.

the needle wheel is a stock impeller that they cut the paddles off and slide a needlewheel on.

is the pump thats working not have a needlewheel. its a 8 paddle impeller? if so, then they replaced that impeller with a stock impeller....


now, i would grab a toothpick and pop the rubber gromets out of the pump and face plate.
when you put a pump back together with the bushings in the pump, there is a chance that it wont go back together straight.... thus binding the impeller.


now, if the needlewheel is spinning on the shaft of the magnet, then it wont pump. so it might just need a drop of superglue to keep it together. but dont do that till yo u know thats the problem. (switch the impellers to see if it works, then go from there.)

if you put a bad impeller in a good pump, it wont break anything. it just wont work.....