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Pump Wet End Replacement Hot Tub Outpost

spa pump wet endSpa Pump Wet End Replacement

There are two main sections of the hot tub pump: the motor and the wet end.

The pump motor turns a shaft which turns the impeller inside the wet end and moves the water out of the pump and into the plumbing and jets.

Replacing a complete wet end is sometimes done when the pump motor still looks great and the problem is isolated to the part of the pump that has the water in it.

Pump wet ends include the seal and impeller as well as the plastic casing. It is important to buy the compatible wet end to line up with your existing spa motor.

To swap out the wet end, you will need to know how to get it off of the pump motor and also know what replacement model wet end is needed.  Buying the same type is the easiest way although different brands of wet ends can fit the same pump motor.

Know if your motor is 48 frame or 56 frame

Pump motors usually have a label on them saying if they are 48 or 56 frame. If that is not available, then there are other methods to determine if the pump is 48 frame or 56 frame.  This is necessary to know so the wet end will line up with the through bolts.  Sometimes there are 2 rings of mounting nuts for these throughbolts on the wet end. The outer ring is for 56 frame pumps and the inner ring is for mounting the 48/56 mixed purpose type wet end to the 48 frame pump.

Know the horsepower rating of the existing pump/impeller

Wet ends come with different horsepower ratings. That means the impeller is different in each one, so get the one that matches your existing pump.

Just need to exchange the seal kit in the case of a pump leak and not the entire wet end?  Find your hot tub seal kit here.

Hot Tub Outpost offers most major pump wet end brands and economical ones too, so you can replace almost any hot tub pump wet end with one from our shop.

Side Discharge or Center Discharge

center side discharge

Does the discharge section come out the center or the side of the wet end?

Connections - Size of the 2 Pump Unions - Plumbing Size

pump union open spaPump Union Size ThreadBe sure to order the wet end with the correct plumbing size so it will fit the plumbing setup in the spa.

The standard, often seen threaded connection that is called 2" actually measures a bit over 3 inches wide (outer diameter) across the threads on both suction and discharge plumbing connections.

Typical hot tub plumbing connections to the pump are either:

  • 1 1/2" (2 7/16" actual diameter)
  • 2"       (3 1/16" actual diameter)
  • 2 1/2" (3 11/16" actual diameter)

Most spas use 2" plumbing for the main pump line and many use 1 1/2"plumbing.  Some circulation pumps though, may use even smaller connections, so know what your current plumbing size is on both the suction side and discharge side of the spa pump plumbing so that the new pump lines up nicely and you just need to hand tighten the two unions on the new pump.
Some thread sizes may be non-standard such as older Hayward pumps with different threads.

Some of the Waterway Executive pumps use a 2 1/2" suction and a 2 inch discharge, in that case the suction male threaded fitting on the pump would measure about 3 11/16" in diameter which is called the 2 1/2" connection.  Now the actual inside diameter of both the 2 inch and 2 1/2 inch type connection openings on the pump measures about 2 1/4" - only the large nut is different on the 2 1/2" but you need to check the outer diameter of these threaded pump connections to be sure you get either a 2"x2" or 2 1/2"x 2" depending on your plumbing setup and pump union sizes.

When removing and replacing the pump unions attached to spa plumbing, be sure they each still have their o-ring inside to avoid water leakage at the union.  You can also buy new inexpensive pump o-rings to fit the same size as the pump union if needed.

Horse Sense
Warning: Working on your own appliances, cars, covered wagons and hot tubs as well as anything else electrical or mechanical carries with it severe risk of injury or property damage. These tips and suggested procedures are free and for informational purposes only. Proceed at your own risk. It is best to use the services of an electrician or tech. Hot Tub Outpost is not liable for any damage or injury that may result.

Removing the Wet End from a Hot Tub Pump

Removing the Spa Pump Wet End

Replacing a pump seal requires the removal of the wet end from the motor to access the old seal and replace it.

Replacing a wet end can require finding the center bolt behind a rubber plug in addition to loosening the 4 motor through bolts .

This video shows installers how:

 

Once the wet end is removed the seal can be replaced, or the entire wet end can be replaced.  Be sure to order the correct seal kit or wet end for your particular brand and model spa pump.  Contact us if you need assistance.

Hot Tub Outpost carries pump wet ends for almost any brand of pump including:

  • Acura Spa Systems
  • American Products
  • Ampro-Diaclear
  • Aqua-Flo
  • Astral Pool
  • Baker-Hydro
  • Doughboy
  • Hayward
  • ITT Marlow
  • Jacuzzi
  • Jandy
  • Muskin
  • Pentair
  • Purex - Hydrotech
  • Premier
  • Speck Pumps
  • Sta-Rite
  • Vico
  • Waterway

wet end rotation spa pumpPump Wet End Rotation and Repositioning  - Balboa

In this video, Balboa shows how to reposition the Balboa type wet end. This is done if it needs to be rotated in 90 degree increments to line up with existing plumbing.  First remove the bolts. Having the right tools on hand makes the job easier.

Be sure the impeller is seated properly before reinstalling the wet end after it is rotated.

Tighten the bolts back up and the wet end is done.  Isn't that nice relaxing music in the video. 

wet end horseNo, that is not the wet end! - If you don't know one wet end from another, then perhaps the repair should be left to a qualified service technician.

This information provided for informational purposes only, not meant to be a how-to tutorial for those not comfortable working on electrical devices and equipment. As with any repair job whether it be fixin' a car, boat, tractor or the well pump over behind Sadie's Saloon, this type of work comes with the hazards of injury and so this is our disclaimer to use this information at your own risk or call a qualified spa service technician to do these types of repairs for you. 

See our huge selection of hot tub pump wet ends here at Hot Tub Outpost.