Dry ran pool pump for about one day

First-time pool owner here. Apologies if this topic has already been covered.

I have a ‘Waterway Econo-Flo VSA 2.7 Variable Speed Pump,’ and I mistakenly ran it without water for about a day when the temperature was around 55F - 70°F. I’m aware that this could have damaged the shaft seal, so I’ll test it next spring and replace it if needed. I have a couple of questions:

  1. The motor is a Century M48AA66A79U. I haven’t been able to find information on this specific model, only on the M48AA66. Does anyone know what the ‘A79U’ designation means?

  2. The pump/motor was likely manufactured around 2015, making it 8-9 years old. If I need to replace it, what would be the best alternative since the Century pump/motor model is discontinued?

motor

Hi Tyler, we are sorry to hear about that, but, rest assured that it has happened to the best of us.

Let’s start with the motor. It should be fine since it doesn’t care much about the pump that it is hooked up to. I’m not sure what the ‘A79U’ designation means (it could be the manufacturing plant identifier, date code, or build series), but that’s largely irrelevant; the M48AA66 is the true model number. Your V-Green 2.7 HP Square Flange 48Y Variable Speed Motor - ECM27SQU has been discontinued, but the US/Nidec Neptune Variable Speed Motor 2.70 THP Square Flange 230V 48Y - NPTQ270 would be a perfect replacement for it should you need to replace it.

Your shaft seal could be toasted and it may have taken out the face plate and the impeller from the heat generated by friction if it was run dry. We have all of the parts for your Waterway Econo-Flo VSA 2.7 Variable Speed Pump listed here in case you do need a new face plate and impeller as well as the shaft seal. I would also recommend a new face plate gasket as well. Be sure to put a little lubricant on the face plate gasket to help it seal up perfectly for a leak-free repair.

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Thank you so much!! I just winterized it. I will test in spring/summer. If I see leakage and I will try to fix it. If I cannot fix it [edited], I may just purchase the new motor.

Thank you again!