MP40 wet side cleaning

[bureau13]

So I have a couple MP40s that have been on my tank for like a million years. I have no idea how long, I know I started out with the white metal driver enclosures and now I have the white molded plastic drivers...I think ESw or something. I may have replaced a wet side back in the day, but they've literally been chugging away for at least ten years, most of that time with my tank being ignored and certainly not being cleaned. They're amazing.

Since last Christmas, I've been getting the tank back in shape, so I bought a spare wet side and thought I'd rotate them around. I pulled one of the old ones, soaked it in a muriatic acid solution and put the new one in the tank.

When I pulled the old one it was MUCH cleaner, but it felt like it wasn't turning overly freely. I unfortunately did not completely disassemble it, and now it feels like it's welded into a single piece. It won't budge, and I can't pull the back off of it. Now, probably, I should thank my lucky stars that it lasted so long and just buy another one, but counterpoint: No! I'd like to try to recover the wet side. However re-soaking it didn't help. Not sure what to do, anyone have any recommendations? At this point, if it breaks in the process of trying to fix it, it breaks. Honestly, it's unreal how long it's lasted with no maintenance to speak of, and I'm not mad at all. But if I can fix it, I definitely would like to keep it as a viable spare at the least.

 

[Coolcasino]

Try soaking it in citric Acid. Also you do know that the cage comes off clock wise? So lefty lucy right tighty is backwards? If you are able to take the cage off there are 3 tabs on the sides. I gently pop those off with a butter knife. If you are able to open and clean them up use some Molykote 111 where the impeller magnet meets the back of the wetside. That will make it run smooth.

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[bureau13]

Clockwise? I did not actually remember that, thanks! I'll see if I can get it to budge that direction.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

So I have a couple MP40s that have been on my tank for like a million years. I have no idea how long, I know I started out with the white metal driver enclosures and now I have the white molded plastic drivers...I think ESw or something. I may have replaced a wet side back in the day, but they've literally been chugging away for at least ten years, most of that time with my tank being ignored and certainly not being cleaned. They're amazing.

Since last Christmas, I've been getting the tank back in shape, so I bought a spare wet side and thought I'd rotate them around. I pulled one of the old ones, soaked it in a muriatic acid solution and put the new one in the tank.

When I pulled the old one it was MUCH cleaner, but it felt like it wasn't turning overly freely. I unfortunately did not completely disassemble it, and now it feels like it's welded into a single piece. It won't budge, and I can't pull the back off of it. Now, probably, I should thank my lucky stars that it lasted so long and just buy another one, but counterpoint: No! I'd like to try to recover the wet side. However re-soaking it didn't help. Not sure what to do, anyone have any recommendations? At this point, if it breaks in the process of trying to fix it, it breaks. Honestly, it's unreal how long it's lasted with no maintenance to speak of, and I'm not mad at all. But if I can fix it, I definitely would like to keep it as a viable spare at the least.

10 years, makes me think you have the old version of wetsides. Which were built to last.

They're completely different than the new ones. Which don't come apart like @Coolcasino is saying.

Can you post a picture?

PS. If it is an older one, the magnets are better, so if you can salvage it... and it still balanced, do so!

 

[Coolcasino]

10 years, makes me think you have the old version of wetsides. Which were built to last.

They're completely different than the new ones. Which don't come apart like @Coolcasino is saying.

Can you post a picture?

PS. If it is an older one, the magnets are better, so if you can salvage it... do so!

This is true! They did change. When you get as old as me you forget things lol!

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

This is true! They did change. When you get as old as me you forget things lol!

I have a few of them retired in my shop. I'll never get rid of them... hehe

 

[Coolcasino]

Yeah... "old metal drivers".... that should have taken me back. How things have changed. And yes those are work horses. The new ones have too many feelings and get all noisy if you look at them funny lol!

 

[bureau13]

I'm an idiot....I got the cage off, I just can't get the back off to expose the magnet. Not sure how I forgot that!

 

[Coolcasino]

I'm an idiot....I got the cage off, I just can't get the back off to expose the magnet. Not sure how I forgot that!

We all have those moments... look at the tabs right there. See if you can gently pry them up with a butter knife.

 

[Coolcasino]

That just shows you how good they were back then. If mine have crud like that they would be flopping off the tank.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I'm an idiot....I got the cage off, I just can't get the back off to expose the magnet. Not sure how I forgot that!

That's a newer version, those 3 tabs like coolcasino said pops off and exposes the magnet. But if it's seized, you're going to want to soak it in a mild acid solution until it's loose or else you run the risk of pulling the ceramic shaft away from the steel core shaft.

 

[Coolcasino]

Also you would have gotten more traction if you had posted this in the equipment forum lol!

 

[Coolcasino]

Yeah you are going to want to go ever so gently. We don't know how brittle that plastic is after all these years. Try with a butter knife if you see it wanting to come off its ok to continue. If it doesn't want to budge soak it in citric acid overnight and try again the next day.

 

[bureau13]

Also you would have gotten more traction if you had posted this in the equipment forum lol!

Until this moment I thought I had...whoopsie!

 

[bureau13]

Yeah you are going to want to go ever so gently. We don't know how brittle that plastic is after all these years. Try with a butter knife if you see it wanting to come off its ok to continue. If it doesn't want to budge soak it in citric acid overnight and try again the next day.

I've started to see it budging. I'm trying maybe too hard not to break it, but two of the tab areas are starting to give.