Hot tub & spa or whirlpool bath circulating pump troubleshooting & repair:

This article describes the diagnosis & repair of common hot tub or spa pump problems including leaks or noises or failure to start or weak pumping at the hot tub or spa motor or wet end.

This article series describes the use, operation, maintenance as well as common problems, troubleshooting, & repair suggestions for hot tubs, spas, and whirlpool baths.

Spa / Hot Tub Pump Repairs

Here we discuss hot tub leaks, broken hot tub or spa jets, hot tub or spa water temperature & heater repair, hot tub or spa pump diagnosis & repair, hot tub or spa filter maintenance, cleaning & repair, noisy air pumps at hot tubs, noisy water pumps at the hot tub or spa, and other hot tub, spa or whirlpool bath diagnosis & repair topics.

Hot tub or spa pumps are normally sized and piped to permit a complete water turnover rate of about 1/2 hour for the tub's water.

 

[Click to enlarge any image]

In hot tub or spa lingo, the pump assembly consists of two principal parts: the pump motor (red arrow in photo below) and the "wet end" or what I prefer to call the impeller assembly (to the left of the green arrow in the photo below

The pump motor drive shaft is connected through an air space (vertical green arrow) to the separate wet end wherein it drives the impeller to actually move water through the spa or hot tub piping system.

This spa or hot tub pump type is typically referred to as an "insulated wet-end pump".

This physical separation of pump motor from wet end reduces but does not completely eliminate the chance of water entering the pump motor bearings or motor where water will cause quick pump failure if it doesn't first short circuit and blow the circuit beaker or fuse.

In my photo above the blue arrow is pointing to a start/run capacitor that in this system mounts atop the pump motor itself.

See HOW a STARTING CAPACITOR WORKS if the motor shaft is not frozen but the motor hums without starting.

Spa / Hot Tub Pump Leaks

Depending on where the leak is originating and where water has gone, the system may have short remaining life or it may be unsafe to use at all.

• Water Leaks into or onto any electrical component, switch, motor, are very dangerous and risk injury or death from electrical shock.
  
  If your spa or hot tub system is modern and meets current codes all of the electrical circuits for the system should be protected by GFCI devices (ground fault circuit interrupter) and the device should trip if a current leak or short is detected. But older systems may be connected without these critical safety features.
  
  Watch out: if your pool, spa, or hot tub is wired without GFCI protection and/or if it does not have a proper electrical ground, the system is unsafe and does not meet current building and electrical code requirements. You should ask for help and updating by a licensed electrician.
• Water leaks at the wet end of the pump may show up as mineral deposits and also mean that the impeller seals are leaking and need repair or replacement, as we discuss next.

Leaks at the Hot Tub or Spa Pump Wet End

Above: the white salt deposits around the pump wet end or impeller assembly indicate a history of leaks at this spa pump. It's likely that the impeller or pump seals need replacement.

This is a Hayward Power Flow II two-speed self-priming centrifugal pump, model S48K2A10 Serial No. 7F85 operating at 1/8 - 3/4 hp. A replacement impeller for this pump is Hayward P/N SP 1775-2. But I think the pump impeller assembly needs new seals or bearings, given the leakage we see in the photo below.

The seals in this hot tub / spa pump can be replaced in 12 steps by following instructions in the Hayward operating and use manual for this pump.

Spa or Hot Tub Motor Won't Start

If the pump motor will not start after you've turned on the toggle switch that sends power to the pump (SPA / HOT TUB PUMP OPERATION), check that you've pressed the white pneumatic pump control button on the tub rim. Start the pump in high speed.

If the pump won't start and is silent:

• Check for loose wires or connections - beware of fatal electrical shock. Turn off power if you plan to inspect, touch, or wiggle wires.

If the pump motor hums but does not start:

• Check that the pump motor has not seized as described just above
• Check that the pump motor has not seized: using slip joint goose-neck pliers, check that the pump drive shaft (visible between the pump motor end and the pump impeller assembly) will rotate freely. If the pump motor will not turn when you try to rotate the drive shaft, or if it is binding and difficult to turn, the pump needs to be repaired or replaced.
• Check (or ask your repair technician to check) for a pump centrifugal switch stuck in the "open" position. This internal motor switch will need replacement.

Spa / Hot Tub Pump Runs But Does Not Pump Water

If the pump runs but will not prime - the motor spins but water is not exiting the tub jets

• Check the water level in the hot tub or spa. The water must be above all water inlets, including an inlet that may be at or near the top rim of the hot tub.
• Check that the filter/strainer has been filled with water
• Check for a loose filter/strainer cover
• Check for a damaged, missing, or leaky O-ring or filter/strainer cover gasket
• Check for a hot tub or spa water line valve that was left closed - all of the valves should be open
• Check the water level in the hot tub or spa. The water must be above all water inlets, including an inlet that may be at or near the top rim of the hot tub.
• Check that the pump is capable of developing suction by blocking off the suction line close to the pump. These steps will require (for most people) a service call.
  • If the pump can develop suction (a vacuum) then there may be an air leak in the suction piping elsewhere in the system
  • If the pump can't develop suction check the foll
    • check for loose bolts on the pump impeller assembly that may be leaking air into the impeller
    • check for low voltage
    • check for a clogged or damaged pump impeller
    • check for and replace leaky pump seals

Hot Tub or Spa Pump Runs but Water Flow is Weak - poor pump pressure diagnosis

If the pump runs but the water flow rate is low (possibly showing up as heater won't stay on)

• If the problem has been present since original installation check for under-sized piping
• If the problem is new, that is the flow rate used to be ok,
  • check for a clogged filter / strainer
  • check for a clogged filter discharge line (notice high pressure on the filter side of the system - check that pressure gauge)
  • check for an air leak in the suction piping (look for unexplained air bubbles in the pump output or at the jets)
  • check for low voltage that may result in the pump motor running at low speed
  • check for a damaged or debris-clogged pump impeller

Hot Tub / Spa Pump is Noisy

• If you hear a high pitched whine or scream from the pump motor, most likely one of the motor bearings is failing - the motor probably won't last much longer.
• If there is rumbling in the pump or impeller assembly check for air leaks in the suction piping
• Check for cavitation in the pump impeller due to restricted suction piping or discharge piping. Partly closing (throttling) the discharge line may help.
• Check for loose pump mounts or motor mounts or loose hardware anywhere in the system
• Check for loose debris in the pump housing or in the impeller assembly
• Check for worn pump bearings (from overheating, rust, running the pump dry, age, corrosion)
• Also see SPA JETTED TUBS NOISE

 

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2020-09-18 by (mod) - the hot tub display panel will not switch on

If you have power to the display panel and the panel won't switch on then I suspect either a wiring error or a damaged panel. Let's ID the brand and model so that we can see the troubleshooting guide from the manufacturer

On 2020-09-18 by Bromz

Hi, after fitting a new pump I have lost power, the display panel will not switch on. It did turn on but when I selected the pump 3 option on the display panel to test the pump everything switched off? I have checked the wiring and trip switch and all ok???

On 2020-04-20 by Pat

I purchased a home 5 months ago that has a Kohler jacuzzi tub in the main bathroom. I have filled the tub ran the jets 34 times.i have used every possible product to clean the jets & lines but i am still getting black particles & hair in the tub when I shut off the jets & the water settles. What could be wrong??? How do I remedy?

On 2019-07-24 - by (mod) -

Pam

I'm guessing you're looking for a replacement nozzle for your jetted tub. Best bet: contact the manufacturer of your specific tub to find an OEM replacement that will fit and match exactly.

Alternative: take one of the existing nozzles to your local plumbing supplier to find a generic replacement that will most-likely work as well.

On 2019-07-23 by PAM CLARK

Master Bathroom Spa Tub/Surround: Fiberglass Jetted tub / Tile ‐ Missing direction nozzle on one of the jets in the tub.

On 2019-06-13 by (mod) - How do you fix a jammed motor

You might get the motor running with anew start-run capacitor, or disassemble, free up, lube the motor but its going to fail again.

I suspect you're going to have to replace the motor soon.

On 2019-06-13 by Ron sands

How do you fix a jammed motor it hasn't been used for about 6 months and now just buzzer when turned on thanks

On 2018-12-12 - by (mod) -

I don't have a for-sure diagnosis but I would be looking for crimped tube. I'm assuming that the Jets are not models that allow you to close them completely.

On 2018-12-12 by Mike

Motor and pump run, all dishchard outlets ok, but one has no dishchard at all in rear of bathtub seems blocked no leakage under tub, can u give idea?

On 2017-06-12 - by (mod) -

Sean

Take a look at the tub from inside or below - by removing its access panels, and check with care around the air inlet valve for a deteriorated or broken mounting gasket.

While you are there, also take a look inside the air supply tubing itself to see if water is leaking into the air pump system.

You are welcome to use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send me photos of the situation from above and from under the tub - perhaps I can comment further.

On 2017-06-12 by Sean

I currently have a leak on my spa system.The leak is coming from the air inlet control valve when I turn the machine off.

This only happens when using the air cycle and on turning off a small amount (cup) is coming out of the air inlet.When using just the water jets cycle its fine on turn off.

...

Continue reading at SPA / HOT TUB PUMP OPERATION or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• HOT TUB SPA WHIRLPOOL OPERATION & REPAIR
  • SPA TURN ON PROCEDURE
  • SPA CONTROLS & SWITCHES
  • SPA / HOT TUB BLOWER UNIT
  • SPA / HOT TUB FILTER CLEANING
  • SPA / HOT TUB FILTER LEAK REPAIR
  • SPA / HOT TUB FILTER REPLACEMENT
  • SPA / HOT TUB HEATER REPAIR
  • SPA, HOT TUB, SWIMMING POOL INSPECTION & CODES
  • SPAS, WHIRLPOOLS, INSTALLATION
  • SPA / HOT TUB JET CLOG REPAIR
  • SPA / HOT TUB LEAKS
  • SPA / HOT TUB & POOL OZONE
  • SPA / HOT TUB PUMP OPERATION
  • SPA / HOT TUB PUMP REPAIR
  • SPA JETTED TUBS NOISE
  • SPA HOT TUB WHIRLPOOL REPAIRS
  • SPA / HOT TUB CHEMICALS & CHLORINATION
  • SPA / HOT TUB DRAIN / WINTERIZING PROCEDURE
  • SPA / HOT TUB / POOL MANUALS, PARTS, REPAIR, SUPPLIES
• SCALD PROTECTION

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SPA / HOT TUB PUMP REPAIR at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BATH & KITCHEN

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