Disassembly for cleaning help

melypr1985 · Oct 6, 2015

This is the pump for my skimmer. Its been making this weird sound the last couple times i plugged it in so i figured it needed a thourough cleaning. The sound isbharf to describe in print but its like it was "reving" or kinda like an engine running out of gas. Can anybody tell me how to take it apart? I can see macro algae stuck inside it - see pictures below. Its currently soaking in water and vinegar.

Thanks for the help.

twilliard · Oct 6, 2015

Yup all plugged up.
Looks like the wheel cover can come off where the tab is.

twilliard · Oct 6, 2015

Take the screw out of the tab and rotate it and it will come off

melypr1985 · Oct 6, 2015

twilliard said:
Yup all plugged up.
Looks like the wheel cover can come off where the tab is.

That was my first thought as well. There actually isn't a screw there, but it wont budge. I even tried using a screwdriver to pry it off and I was afraid it would break the plastic so i backed off. It bent pretty far without budging.

melypr1985 · Oct 6, 2015

I got this part off. The oart that has algae bound up in it is still stuck.

twilliard · Oct 6, 2015

It will be a rotation fit either clockwise or counter clockwise if the screw is not there. (Someone removed the screw in the past)
Try to rotate it. Hopefully it isn't stuck as a lot of those types of fits are a pain to turn

twilliard · Oct 6, 2015

My bet is counter clockwise from looking at the first picture

melypr1985 · Oct 6, 2015

twilliard said:
It will be a rotation fit either clockwise or counter clockwise if the screw is not there. (Someone removed the screw in the past)
Try to rotate it. Hopefully it isn't stuck as a lot of those types of fits are a pain to turn

Oh man. I'm gunna get a wrench and see if I can get it to move some. It's definitely some kind of stuck, just hoping it's not "replace me" stuck. lol

miyags · Oct 6, 2015

In your first pic, the lighter gray part should turn counter clockwise. You may have to use pliers to get it to turn.

miyags · Oct 6, 2015

You can try and tighten it first, that breaks the seal and then turn it off.

melypr1985 · Oct 6, 2015

Thanks yall. It appears that my husband's tool box is in his truck today. I'll have to wait for him to get home before i can get my hands on some pliers. I'll let ya know if it works though! Appreciate the help!

melypr1985 · Oct 6, 2015

Hey yall! Totally got it open and cleaned! I'm really glad i asked, because i wasn't trying to turn it at all when i first tried. It was stuck but my husband got it open for me. Just like a jar of pickles lol

twilliard · Oct 6, 2015

melypr1985 said:
Hey yall! Totally got it open and cleaned! I'm really glad i asked, because i wasn't trying to turn it at all when i first tried. It was stuck but my husband got it open for me. Just like a jar of pickles lol

Right on!
Glad you were able to get it opened. Now you know for future reference