Trouble with a gould submersible pump (sump)

nmu98 · Jun 23, 2010

I came home tonight and by chance happened to walk by the sump crock. I could hear a buzz of a motor and I looked down to see a full crock. The pump was trying to turn, but was not working. The cord was pretty hot.

I unplugged it and started to take things apart. I has a hard time unscrewing the connection so the pump got moved around quite a bit. Once I got it out, I plugged it in and it worked. This is a trash pump so I would not thing a small stone would stop it. While I was taking it apart, the top of the water was covered in a thin film of oil that looked like mineral oil. It even smelled like it.

I put everything back together and it is currently working just fine.

Do sump pumps have a clear oil in them? Might this got too hot and leaked it lubricant? Is this pump junk? I have a full finished basement and I cannot risk water damage. I think the pump is an 3871 - EP04/EP05 Effluent Pumps gould pump.

Any help or insight is appreciated! This is an expensive pump, so replacing it just cause sucks... It should last longer than 7 years.....

Chuck52 · Jun 23, 2010

The last time my old sump pump quit it was because the out flow line was partly plugged.

Chuck

dave1949 · Jun 23, 2010

Yes, submersible pumps are filled with mineral oil as a coolant for the motor. It is normal for it to be there. Can't help you about the status of the pump. I would try to put some mineral oil in it, run it and see what happens.

Never a bad thing to have a spare pump for backup. Doesn't have to be as expensive as your Gould.
Dave.

Kays Supply · Jun 23, 2010

I install only Gould effluent pumps in homes with below grade sewer. Why do you need an effluent pump for clear water? They are very good, but a less expensive pump would work in a clear water application. If oil got out , water probably got in. NOT a good thing. As far as I know, the Gould pumps I have installed are all still in service. Some must be 20 years old. Lighning has took a few out, but none I can think of have just quit.

nmu98 · Jun 23, 2010

I put in this pump as it was recomended to me by a plumber friend. I do not know if that is the exact model, but it is a trash type pump that would not easliy get clogged by a stone. On a new build, I got sand and other items in there.

How do I refill it with mineral oil? I guess I need take it apart again...

nmu98 · Jun 23, 2010

I went down and pulled out the pump. I do not have time to take it apart tonight tonight, and I do not have mineral oil.

So I have a WW0511a pump. Anyone know anything about it? Here are the pictures.

dave1949 · Jun 23, 2010

nmu98 said:
I went down and pulled out the pump. I do not have time to take it apart tonight tonight, and I do not have mineral oil.

So I have a WW0511a pump. Anyone know anything about it? Here are the pictures.

I wish I knew more beyond it is normal to mineral oil in them, sorry. What is the tan stuff on the float and pump housing? Is the upper black housing dented or is that just the light playing tricks?
Dave.

nmu98 · Jun 24, 2010

That is not a dent, its the light. I have looked for a rebuild article and nothing seems to be available.

The brown stuff is like a calcium deposit that seems to stick to everything in the sump. Seems to happen alot in this area.

The pump was working this morning, but I do not feel comfortable leaving it for a long time. A new one os 350.oo bucks... whew....

dave1949 · Jun 24, 2010

nmu98 said:
That is not a dent, its the light. I have looked for a rebuild article and nothing seems to be available.

The brown stuff is like a calcium deposit that seems to stick to everything in the sump. Seems to happen alot in this area.

The pump was working this morning, but I do not feel comfortable leaving it for a long time. A new one os 350.oo bucks... whew....

I wonder if a local plumbing supply shop would have a line on how to rebuild, where to get it rebuilt, etc.?
Dave.

PILOON · Jun 24, 2010

Most submerged pumps use a ceramic shaft seal.
That is probably where your oil leaked out, suggesting seal is maybe shot.

Around here re-build is not available, labor costs and liability I guess.
You'd have to DIY it; change shaft seal, new oil new gaskets and you should be OK.