Fluval FX5 - impeller or motor problem?

[camelfarmer]

Hey guys I'm hoping I might get some advice from you...

I've had an FX5 for 3.5 years, no issues previously. A few days ago it stopped being able to pump water. Took it apart and cleaned it including the impeller. When I plug the motor in, it spins, but very feebly, and pauses every few seconds.

My question is, does this sound like an impeller problem - £40 cost to replace, or motor problem - £120 to replace?

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[nossalucard]

Most likely it's an impeller issue(or else it wouldn't be making ANY NOISE(It's just two magnets after-all, the motors powered magnetic field and the impeller that make it work). In addition, it makes more sense to start there, and is way more cost efficient to try it and be wrong, think about it....

 

[camelfarmer]

Most likely it's an impeller issue(or else it wouldn't be making ANY NOISE(It's just two magnets after-all, the motors powered magnetic field and the impeller that make it work). In addition, it makes more sense to start there, and is way more cost efficient to try it and be wrong, think about it....

Thanks for the reply.

If I bought a motor wouldn't it come with a new impeller anyway? My concern is spending the £40 on the impeller to find it wasn't that.

Does the motor have an inbuilt safety mechanism to stop spinning if the resistance is too high?

 

[duanes]

Impellers on any pump do wear out, and can become pitted with only a few grains of sand, or if a tiny snail gets on the volute. If they become pitted they will wobble, which wears them out even more. Check to see if the area where the impeller rides has become eroded, from wobble. Slight wear could make a new impeller useless.