Vortech wet side cover keeps coming off.

[sixline]

I've owned about six or seven Ecotech Vortechs over the years. I'm familiar with the common problem of the wet side coming off when there's a problem such as a snail crawling into the pump or an alignment issue, or if the wet side is dirty.

However, one of my Vortechs has a problem where just the wet side cover flies off. It happens every 15 minutes or so, leaving the bare wet side active with its spinning propellor ready to chop up anything that comes near. When I put the cover on, I see that it's still intact with no missing plastic. I still need to fasten it the usual way, by threading onto the wet side. I don't want to glue it permanently on, but am considering using glue to maybe give it a tighter fit. I'm trying to think of a better solution, and wonder if anyone else has seen a similar situation. I've tried searching, but all of the info I come across is in reference to the case where the entire wet side comes off.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I've owned about six or seven Ecotech Vortechs over the years. I'm familiar with the common problem of the wet side coming off when there's a problem such as a snail crawling into the pump or an alignment issue, or if the wet side is dirty.

However, one of my Vortechs has a problem where just the wet side cover flies off. It happens every 15 minutes or so, leaving the bare wet side active with its spinning propellor ready to chop up anything that comes near. When I put the cover on, I see that it's still intact with no missing plastic. I still need to fasten it the usual way, by threading onto the wet side. I don't want to glue it permanently on, but am considering using glue to maybe give it a tighter fit. I'm trying to think of a better solution, and wonder if anyone else has seen a similar situation. I've tried searching, but all of the info I come across is in reference to the case where the entire wet side comes off.

If you’re so sure that there’s no plastic broke then you’re not turning it enough if you are turning it enough and it’s still not working then something is obviously broke. Looks like it’s time for you to buy a new west side because once you glue it you’ll never be able to get it back apart for cleaning

 

[WVNed]

I had one that did this and what I finally did was strip a piece of fine wire and then took the insulation tube and put it under the cover from the side as I put it on and turned it. This gave it a little more friction to keep it on.

 

[qhduong]

There's a rubber o ring that probably went missing or bad. https://store2.ecotechmarine.com/products/o-ring-for-mp40-wet-side

 

[TurboTang]

I have a pair of wet sides that I swap out. Both were beginning to throw off the cage. I found if you dry the assembly and turn the cage as hard as you can it won't come off. For the first year it could be lightly screwed on no problem, but after some time it takes more force to lock in place. I would not glue it

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I had one that I thought was on and I was holding it by the cage and it fell still had the cage in my hand but the impeller hit the floor and broke that was a pretty dumb hundred dollar mistake so be careful

 

[sixline]

I had one that did this and what I finally did was strip a piece of fine wire and then took the insulation tube and put it under the cover from the side as I put it on and turned it. This gave it a little more friction to keep it on.

Good idea - I tried this and it seems to be working. This is the idea I was getting at with the glue; not completely gluing it on, but using the dried glue as a means of increasing friction to keep the cage on. But I like your idea better. i suppose a piece of rubber band could also be used.

 

[bestfishes]

I got one recently just like this. I I cleaned it and checked the tabs. It didnt want to hold tight like the other one did for some reason. No matter how much I fooled with it I had to replace with a new wet side. If its pretty new call Ecotech and see if they are willing to help you with a warranty replacement.

 

[ParanoidKidAndroid]

I have a pair of wet sides that I swap out. Both were beginning to throw off the cage. I found if you dry the assembly and turn the cage as hard as you can it won't come off. For the first year it could be lightly screwed on no problem, but after some time it takes more force to lock in place. I would not glue it

I just found this post because I was having the same issue. I tried twisting it on with all my force and it finally felt snug. If your o-ring isn’t missing, this is the way.

 

[Ironfish]

Reviving this post bc it looks like this is a more common issue than we would like.

Ive been having issues with one of my MP60s.
Over the last week the cage probably came off 2 or 3 times a day. Looks like everytime the pump changes mode or speed.

Ill try some of the tricks here!

 

[exnisstech]

Are you assembling the wet side bare handed? I only ask because I have 6 mp40s and 2 mp10s and have never had a cage come off. But I can not get enough grip to assemble them and I have to use a dry cloth or a piece of grippy drawer liner materials or I can not get them fully twisted together. I also get little tiny vermatid snails in the little grooves where they go together and I have to scrape them out with knife tip.

 

[cilyjr]

Reviving this post bc it looks like this is a more common issue than we would like.

Ive been having issues with one of my MP60s.
Over the last week the cage probably came off 2 or 3 times a day. Looks like everytime the pump changes mode or speed.

Ill try some of the tricks here!

If it's an older pump, what I have found is as the gasket gets old. It becomes harder so when the pieces slide together it doesn't have that squishiness that helps keep it in place.

 

[reeftivo]

Are you assembling the wet side bare handed? I only ask because I have 6 mp40s and 2 mp10s and have never had a cage come off. But I can not get enough grip to assemble them and I have to use a dry cloth or a piece of grippy drawer liner materials or I can not get them fully twisted together. I also get little tiny vermatid snails in the little grooves where they go together and I have to scrape them out with knife tip.

I have a couple MP40's and a couple MP10s and never had an issue like the OP

my 40's are less than a couple years old but i had my 10's for many years. The only time i have any issues with seating them tight while twisting was when i noticed heavy coralline or vermatids in the nooks where the cover grooves lock. I scrape with tweezers and problem with twisting them back on snugly is always solved.

 

[TurboTang]

Are you assembling the wet side bare handed? I only ask because I have 6 mp40s and 2 mp10s and have never had a cage come off. But I can not get enough grip to assemble them and I have to use a dry cloth or a piece of grippy drawer liner materials or I can not get them fully twisted together. I also get little tiny vermatid snails in the little grooves where they go together and I have to scrape them out with knife tip.

+1 to this
It has been 2 years since I posted on this and I'm still using the same 2 wet sides. I have to use something with grip to twist them together where they stay (usually a rag or even paper towel is enough). I also have problems with the occasional snail and need to wipe off the o ring area. Replacement o rings would probably restore it to tight fit with little torque.