MP40 cracked and magnet completely rusted

Mortie31 · Oct 28, 2017

My MP40 wet side has cracked and the magnets completely rusted... it is several years old and worked flawslessly, but still shouldn't fail like this. I have had a few ICP results showing high metals and couldn't see anything obvious, I changed cabinet hinges etc and eventually after a few months I decided to reinspect everything more closely, As I had lost a few SPS colonies, I really never expected to find so much damage and rust behind the rear plate... very unimpressed. If these wet sides have a finite lifespan we need to know as a part designed to specifically work underwater should not fail like this...

3mm3 · Oct 28, 2017

This was the Quiet Drive model right?

Fishfinder · Oct 28, 2017

doesnt look like a quiet drive

Mortie31 · Oct 28, 2017

3mm3 said:
This was the Quiet Drive model right?

No it's not qd it's the es model

3mm3 · Oct 28, 2017

Mortie31 said:
No it's not qd it's the es model

Thank you. I have both couldn't remember what each looked like but definitely will keep an eye on them. Will ecotech replace it?

xionggotstyle · Oct 28, 2017

You were running a damaged product. I'm pretty sure they wont cover it. Its like saying that you ran out of oil on your car but drove it anyways and now the motor blew and you want to use the warranty to replace the motor. Better to just order another wet side if you can afford it.

Dayson · Oct 28, 2017

I had this happen to me on my QD. Actually a pretty common problem. They replaced mine even though it was out of warranty.

Macdaddynick1 · Oct 28, 2017

xionggotstyle said:
You were running a damaged product. I'm pretty sure they wont cover it. Its like saying that you ran out of oil on your car but drove it anyways and now the motor blew and you want to use the warranty to replace the motor. Better to just order another wet side if you can afford it.

How did you come up with the analogy ?

Mortie31 · Oct 28, 2017

xionggotstyle said:
You were running a damaged product. I'm pretty sure they wont cover it. Its like saying that you ran out of oil on your car but drove it anyways and now the motor blew and you want to use the warranty to replace the motor. Better to just order another wet side if you can afford it.

I don't want anything, I'm not after a replacement!!! It's 6 years old and was actually still running, was a bit noisy but was fine. Im annoyed because a premium product by a premium company should not fail like this. I'm posting this purely to warn others to inspect very carefully and to remove the end plate and check for hairline cracks... In my opinion any product designed to be underwater should have zero chance of rusting full stop, I've had Tunze magnets over 10 years old that are still fine...

Daltrey · Oct 28, 2017

This is a common problem. There are posts all over the internet concerning it. Just google vortech rusting and look at all the pics. All the fanboys can praise it all they want but ecotech needs to do something about it. Btw I also run mp40’s but mainly for the safety factor as i have had cheap powerheads burn out in my tank.

BMW540 · Oct 28, 2017

I had the same issue and am pleased with how they are handling the situation.

madweazl · Oct 28, 2017

Eek, guess I'll take a look tomorrow.

daelie · Oct 28, 2017

Seems to be pretty common in Vortechs, not only that, the shafts are made from some tungsten alloy instead of something a little more premium like titanium which you might expect on a 350 dollar pump. You should really take your pumps out and give them a good clean monthly if you own Vortechs to catch issues like these early since they're clearly not going to increase the quality any time soon.

Asif Iqbal · Oct 28, 2017

I didnot have rusting but my wet side started jamming up with error code on controller. I bought a new wetside this time a quietdrive version.., very pleased lot quieter and works like a charm! Bought it on BRS

Tommy's Reef · Oct 28, 2017

Once again, I'll say this about a mp 40 rusting. What a disapointment!
Why don't they fix this?

firefishalumacraft · Oct 28, 2017

I had this on my Mp40Wes I fig that out of 5 years of running them 24hrs a day 365 Ill take a 79$ pump. Parts wear out after time. I fig it this way, if your bought your car new and ran it for 24/365 from 0-max rpm your 50k car would be warn out with 43800hrs some people look at 5 year old cars as warn out.

jumpman420 · Oct 29, 2017

Both of mine went down within 4 years. Haven't put them back online yet

Asif Iqbal · Oct 29, 2017

firefishalumacraft said:
I had this on my Mp40Wes I fig that out of 5 years of running them 24hrs a day 365 Ill take a 79$ pump. Parts wear out after time. I fig it this way, if your bought your car new and ran it for 24/365 from 0-max rpm your 50k car would be warn out with 43800hrs some people look at 5 year old cars as warn out.

At the end of the day, it’s salt water we are talking about and eventually everything will corrode and go bad...
Ofcourse it’s a choice to go with a 79 dollar pump or 75 dollar quiet drive wet side

The dry side motor usually fine.. take care

Mortie31 · Oct 29, 2017

firefishalumacraft said:
I had this on my Mp40Wes I fig that out of 5 years of running them 24hrs a day 365 Ill take a 79$ pump. Parts wear out after time. I fig it this way, if your bought your car new and ran it for 24/365 from 0-max rpm your 50k car would be warn out with 43800hrs some people look at 5 year old cars as warn out.

I agree about wear and tear if the motor had given up I wouldn't have minded, after this time,but not parts rusting, which are designed to be used underwater and especially that ecotech know of the problem and don't seem to be rectifying it... at best they should have a warning that parts may corrode and potentially pollute your tank over time... it's complete indifference by a profiteering company..

Daltrey · Oct 29, 2017

Always the same replies. It's only a $75 wet side. No it's $1000's in coral and livestock not to mention years of time. So Ecotech if your reading this then step up and fix it!