Some codes require mounting the pump to the pad when it is initially installed. However, the pump will function just fine without being mounted to the concrete pad. Often times, we encounter the same situation, and by the time the old rusty bolts are busted off, there is no way to re-mount the pump to the pad. We have never experienced a problem with the pump not being mounted to the pad. Thank you for choosing Pool Guy Supply!

Great help. If that was my heater you are using for a work bench, I'd be a little upset. You really beat it up a few times. Thanks for making this an easy fix

Perfect! My Northstar pump just went out and I needed this tutorial to walk me through the motor replacement. Thanks!

OK...trying to unscrew impeller..I get the hold the shaft with a wrench..but how much torque can you apply to unscrew the impeller? And how did you get a grip, or is that what the little chuckle is about on this video?

Thank-you PoolGuySupply ! I really needed to see this video. NOW I believe i can do this job myself ! ... God Bless ! ...

My Northstar pump SP4010X15NS did not have a wear ring. I spoke to Hayward Technical support and was told it was not required. They did mention however that it comes in the kit for the impeller. The Pump ran fine without it.

kudos to whoever chose the background music for this vid.

Wondering how they tested the capacitor with the motor right up against the wall?

Thanks for the reply!. This is a very helpful video.

When re-installing the impeller, how much torque to apply?. Hand tight or?.

This was very helpful. I have a couple questions about impeller sizes. I have an original pump just like yours in the video but it is a 1.5-2.5 HP motor (Dual Speed). If i change it out with an ST1202 (2hp replacement) like in the video it will be a single speed pump (no big deal). But will the old impeller fit the new st1202? and if it doesnt i will have to get a new impeller... does that mean i have to get a new diffuser cover to fit over top of that specific impeller?

just a heads up for anyone trying to attach he motor to the pump housing. YOU NEED LUBE. it makes the job 100% easier. If you have it assembled correctly and tabs lined up and you are not able to turn the latch down and complete the process it is because of lubrication.

@irfan5911 The seal plate O-ring goes around the seal plate, which sits against the pump housing.

It would really help if you could make it so that it's not clear, having a blurry video is really a problem.

@irfan5911 You can view the exploded diagram on page 11 of the Northstar Manual. I tried to post a link but youtube will not allow.

What about the seal plate o-ring? where does that go?

can you check the cap with out opening the back cap

wow keep twisting the motor and scratch the hell out of that pool heater!

When re-installing the impeller, tighten the impeller onto the motor shaft until it bottoms out. There is no need to torque it down as you may break the impeller. You will notice resistance when it is getting close to bottoming out as the spring on the pump seal compresses.

I took mine apart because the rotor was stuck. (I turned the pump off and immediately back on and it made a bad noise. Turns out the basket was all broken and there were little rocks in it, so i think that off/on action stired up the rocks and jammed the rotor. Here is my problem: When it is apart the motor will run when electricity is applied. As soon as I put it back together, it will not turn with electricity applied. When I put it back together, which I've done about 5 times now, it is SUPER hard to put the two halves together (where the big O ring is). I basically have to put it on end and lean on it. I read on another site that was the trick as well, but I am thinking that once together, since I have to force the two sides together, something is binding. I've watched this and another video and I swear I am following it correctly. The parts only go one way. The only part you could get wrong is the wear sleeve, but if you put it on backwards, it sticks up even higher and the two halves would not go together at all. QUESTION: Any thoughts? How hard is it to push the two halves together? I have to lean on them and use a rubber mallet. It initially tends to have once side in and the other a little out (where the big O ring is.) Leaning on it/rubber mallet to get the other side to drop in that extra 1/4 so I can spin the locking ring.

ST 1202 IS A 2 HP, MY NORTHSTAR IS A 2 1/2 HP------ANY IDEA WHAT THAT A O SMITH NUMBER WOULD BE----THX VERY MUCH!!!

Yeah, sad but true. This pump was rushed to market back in the late '90s and real pool pro's won't touch them. They eat motors. Sta-rite Duraglas or Pentair Challenger are long term solutions.

gee would it have been too much to put some cardboard on top of the heater/work area, If that would have been my heater that was left all scratched up there would have been some yelling....... also whats up with the poor video quality??? thanks for the effort though

I laugh at videos like this. Yeah just take out the whole pump and work on it hahahahaha. But wait there’s more. You forgot about the fact that it’s most likely bolted to the concrete with bolts as old as time it’s self so the only way to get it out is with a grinder when then ends up hitting the pump and cutting it or some other nonsense. This video isn’t real life folks

Worst pump ever made

Hardest thing to do is get the impeller off and you don’t show it. Boooo

Too bad this was filmed using a potato.