Fluval FX4 Pump Help

[Jack199]

HI my fluval fx4 has been fine, out of nowhere the pump starting juddering and pulsing, I felt the pipes and it feels like not enough water was getting through, I unplugged it all and cleaned it all out including the pump, nothing was blocked or clogged. Turned it back on and still the same.

has anyone had anything similar ?
TIA

 

[nikm128]

Check the impeller to make sure no teeth broke off of it

 

[Jack199]

impeller all looks ok, unless it is not turning properly and getting stuck, it’s the inlet pipe that starts struggling to take water in so thinking maybe in need of a new impeller or motor? The fluval is around 2 years old

 

[Islandvic]

From the description of the symptoms, It sounds like the pump is working, but straining to pull water into the canister.

If my FX4 were doing this, I would unplug it, turn the valves closed, and pull the intake/discharge hoses off the tank.

If you have access to a garden hose with a sprayer, blast a jet of water into the hoses from both sides. Ensure there are no blockages in them.

Fluval uses hoses that are ribbed. In my opinion, the design has a potential to trap more debris and gunk in them.

If the inlet pipe is struggling to take water in, as you described, I am thinking the blockage is in the intake pipe or intake hose.

Do you have a planted tank?

 

[Jack199]

From the description of the symptoms, It sounds like the pump is working, but straining to pull water into the canister.

If my FX4 were doing this, I would unplug it, turn the valves closed, and pull the intake/discharge hoses off the tank.

If you have access to a garden hose with a sprayer, blast a jet of water into the hoses from both sides. Ensure there are no blockages in them.

Fluval uses hoses that are ribbed. In my opinion, the design has a potential to trap more debris and gunk in them.

If the inlet pipe is struggling to take water in, as you described, I am thinking the blockage is in the intake pipe or intake hose.

Do you have a planted tank?

thanks I will give this a go, no not a planted tank

From the description of the symptoms, It sounds like the pump is working, but straining to pull water into the canister.

If my FX4 were doing this, I would unplug it, turn the valves closed, and pull the intake/discharge hoses off the tank.

If you have access to a garden hose with a sprayer, blast a jet of water into the hoses from both sides. Ensure there are no blockages in them.

Fluval uses hoses that are ribbed. In my opinion, the design has a potential to trap more debris and gunk in them.

If the inlet pipe is struggling to take water in, as you described, I am thinking the blockage is in the intake pipe or intake hose.

Do you have a planted tank?

I have cleaned all the pipes through and made sure there is no blockages, it’s still doing but now on the outlet pipe, like 1 second working 1 second not and the pipe I shut off the outlet briefly and nothing changed, I’m wondering if the propeller is getting stuck it’s so hard to tell!

 

[Islandvic]

Is air/bubbles being shot out of the discharge?

 

[Jack199]

Is air/bubbles being shot out of the discharge?

No air bubbles just pipe shaking and outlet shaking,

 

[Islandvic]

Sounds like impeller is cavitating or its imbalanced in my opinion, though that's only speculation.

How old is your FX4? They have 3 year warranties.

 

[Jack199]

Sounds like impeller is cavitating or its imbalanced in my opinion, though that's only speculation.

How old is your FX4? They have 3 year warranties.

I am unsure tbh probably 2 or 3 years I’ll dig the receipt out and have a look;
Thanks for your help

Sounds like impeller is cavitating or its imbalanced in my opinion, though that's only speculation.

How old is your FX4? They have 3 year warranties.

could this be why ? Could this be cleaned and can I use Vasaline or anything on this or the rod that goes through it ? To help it move ? Thanks

 

[Islandvic]

Which part is that? I have yet to pull off the pump on my FX4.

 

[Jonmott]

looks like it could be the magnet part of the impeller?

 

[Jack199]

The magnet, a pole goes through the middle and the propeller is on the other end, no damage to propeller so guessing it’s getting stuck because of this, looks a bit grimes. Cleaned it up and put a tad of lube on it, running okish at a he moment but still time for it to play up again, think that’s a temporary fix but will look at changing propeller

Ok I lied, it lasted the longer but started playing up again, ordering a new impeller and magnet and will let you know the outcome

 

[Islandvic]

Gotcha.

I had to zoom in more to pic then realized what it was.

 

[Jack199]

Update, got a new impeller took the old one out cleaned all in where the magnet goes(there was a lot of grime in there) replaced with new impeller and magnet and it lasted a while, thought all was ok but then it started doing it again, outlet pipe juddering and shaking and the pump sounding like it’s cutting in and out and struggling, anyone ever had same issues or problems please help ;(

 

[Islandvic]

Try another wall outlet?

Tun an extension cord to another outlet, and run the filter off that for awhile.

That way you can rule out the outlet, and know it's something with the canister for sure.

 

[Jack199]

Took the motor off and run it in a different outlet, the new impeller bounces and moves seems once I put the impeller in and secure it there is movement side to side , there is nothing I can do about this, may need a new motor I’m guessing

 

[Islandvic]

I would email or call Fluval customer service.

 

[Jack199]

I would email or call Fluval customer service.

Yeah I will do that next, I was really hoping someone had had the same issues, been fine for years although stupidly I did have really long pipe as my outlet and my short as my inlet, I changed this around which made some improvement, this stopped the juddering but the unit itself has trapped air in it when I shake it. I have filled it up to the very top before starting, and I even have lowered the outlet flow but just can’t budge the air and it ends up cutting out. I will post if I get anywhere with fluval

 

[Chessur]

Any luck Bro??

 

[BluMan1914]

Man...I just bought a FX6 last week, I hope this doesnt happen to me.
Please keep us updated.