External return pump cleaning Q

[LadyTang2]

With an external return pump, it sits outside the sump and only the internal part touches saltwater, does this mean that I can just run citric acid through the pump without submerging the entire pump in citric acid? Is that something commonly done...

If internal, just let the whole pump sit in citric acid
If external can just run citric acid through it
Something else? How do you do it?

 

[jda]

Is it like a PanWorld/Iwaki/GenX/Blueline where the front housing and impeller comes off easy? If so, then I rarely clean them, but when I do, I take the impeller out, soak it and the cover in diluted Muriatic and then clean the inside with a toothbrush the best that I can.

If it is like a Dart or ReeFlo, then I have had to rig up a recirculating container and let them run. I have heard of people pouring the acidic mixture down in there and then capping both ends and running them, but I have never done this.

 

[LadyTang2]

Is it like a PanWorld/Iwaki/GenX/Blueline where the front housing and impeller comes off easy? If so, then I rarely clean them, but when I do, I take the impeller out, soak it and the cover in diluted Muriatic and then clean the inside with a toothbrush the best that I can.

You soak the entire pump except the impeller?

 

[ca1ore]

Two kinds of external pumps, those that can also be run submerged and those that cannot. Latter would take poorly to being submerged so best not to do it. Frankly, I see no particular utility to cleaning the exterior of even a submerged pump. I’m really bad at cleaning the inside of the volute and impeller on my PanWorld pumps. Sometimes flow declines, but a good backflush restores full performance. When it does not, I’ll clean out the pump.

 

[LadyTang2]

Two kinds of external pumps, those that can also be run submerged and those that cannot. Latter would take poorly to being submerged so best not to do it. Frankly, I see no particular utility to cleaning the exterior of even a submerged pump. I’m really bad at cleaning the inside of the volute and impeller on my PanWorld pumps. Sometimes flow declines, but a good backflush restores full performance. When it does not, I’ll clean out the pump.

and is just running citric acid through the pump a good way to do that or do you like taking it apart and soaking?

 

[jda]

No, I soak the impeller and external housing... then clean the interior of the housing with a brush. I do this so rarely that I cannot remember how often I do it... most of these pumps do not need much.

 

[mfinn]

On my old external pumps like Little Giant, Blue Line, Iwaki, once in a great while I would pull them from service and stand them up so both the suction and the return sides were up and pour straight vinegar inside and let them sit for a couple hours. Then flush. That's all I ever did and they lasted for many, many years.