Pentair
Mechanical Shaft Seal Failure
Pump is leaking water between the motor and the pump housing (at the seal plate).
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Worn or cracked mechanical seal, Running pump dry or with poor lubrication, Chemical imbalance attacking seal faces, Misaligned motor to seal plate
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn off power and close suction and return valves before disassembly.
- Step 1 – Remove motor from pump: Disconnect power wiring, remove the clamp band or bolts connecting the motor to the pump housing, and pull the motor/drive and seal plate assembly back.
- Step 2 – Remove impeller: Hold the motor shaft at the rear (using a wrench on the shaft or a screwdriver in the fan, depending on model) and unscrew the impeller from the shaft.
- Step 3 – Replace mechanical seal: Remove the old seal halves from the impeller and seal plate. Install a new Pentair‑approved mechanical seal kit, taking care not to touch the polished faces with bare fingers.
- Step 4 – Reassemble: Reinstall impeller, diffuser, and seal plate, then reattach the motor to the pump housing. Restore wiring and test for leaks.
Note: Always use the correct Pentair seal for your specific pump model (e.g., IntelliFlo, SuperFlo VS, WhisperFloXF VS).
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Mechanical Shaft Seal Kit
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