Is this a common problem with Mag pumps? (1 Viewer)

[cobraden]

I have checked out 2 used mag pumps in the last week that I was going to buy. When I took off the impeller housing to check the impeller I found the hole that the impeller spins in was worn and not round any more. (See pics) Is this a common problem in with the mag pumps?

 

[tektite]

I've not seen that in any of my mag pumps, though I have heard of it happening. Usually when they are not routinely taken apart to clean (like 1-2 times a year minimum, more if run in high cal/alk water). Once it happens it can be very rough on the impeller and increases the chance that the impeller blades might break.

 

[CBBSteve]

I had a mag 3 that did that. Also happened on my Aquabee pump on my deltec skimmer. What I think happens is the rubber grommets get weak and distorted and the impeller starts wobbling inside the stator.

good luck,
Steve

 

[cobraden]

Are they still useable at that point?

 

[CBBSteve]

Are they still useable at that point?

With the aquabee, it would run just fine but it was extremely noisey, so it wasn't useable.
With the mag 3, sometimes it would run, sometimes it would just vibrate without the impeller turning, so it was too unreliable.

good luck,
Steve