I use two water pumps – a 1HP Water Ace (cost circa $150) with handy carrying handle which I move to various rainwater collection tanks and then pump to the larger storage tanks (2,800 gallons) and thence to the top of the hill; and a Wayne PC4 0.5HP pump (cost $130) whose sole purpose is to pump from my 2,400 gallon carport tank to the top of the hill. At the top of the hill I have tanks which gravity feed the rainwater to the plantings. The Wayne worked fine until a couple years ago when I forgot to disconnect it in winter and the internal membrane (called the backhead) was shattered by ice. I did a cursory examination for parts on the internet, couldn’t find any, and replaced it. This past January, can you believe it, I again neglected to remove all the water from the pump (it was disconnected from the tanks but had water in it) and the backhead of the second pump also shattered. I googled and found on eBay a backhead replacement kit for $15 plus $3 for shipping. It made sense to self repair since if the repair worked I could also repair the previously damaged pump (I keep everything).
It is easy to dismantle, just remove 4 screws at the base of the motor housing which secures it to the pump housing, and the ice damage is easy to see.
First time round it is always difficult – how do I remove the backhead. Fortunately the manual is easily accessible on the internet and it suggested smashing the ceramic seal with a hammer driven screwdriver. I tried this at first but the concept did not appeal. So I found a puller I used for automotive work.
And with a few turns of the wrench the backhead was off, leaving behind the bearing to which it had been press fitted.
From here it was relatively simple to re-assemble the motor following the manual’s instructions and taking care, as I press fit parts together, to tap gently with a hammer and use improvised tactics, like this water pipe connector to ensure pressure is applied evenly to the part being fitted.
When all was assembled I decided to test the repair, and it works perfectly.
I was surfing for info on my own Wayne pc4 pump. I just changed out the impeller and seals, but have a crack in the housing unit itself. During your searches have you come across a replacement part? Or do you have one available from your other pumps/s?
The “housing unit” may be better defined as the actual pump housing the motor bolts to (4 bolts) with the inlet and outlets.
Please advise, thx
Tom
Tom thank you for your comment and apologies for delay in replying. I did not find and do not have a replacement part for the housing unit. You may have to bite the bullet and buy a new unit and keep the old unit for parts. Each year I get caught out. I emptied my pumps of water before winter and they were fine but two pipes which never froze before in colder weather, cracked this year. So I live and learn