1. Is your Motor Pump leaking?

A leaking pump indicates a problem, such as a damaged water seal/packing or ceramic plunger, or a small problem such as a leaking o-ring. Any of these problems can be small at first, but long-term neglect can lead to bigger problems. Repair or replace packing, check valve and damaged plunger immediately. Maintenance of the pump is the key to making it last.

2. Is your pump oil white, grey or milky?

Pumps typically have an oil body that contains oil that keeps the pump body lubricated. If the oil in this pump is any color other than the standard oil color, there is water on the oil end of the pump. The oil must be drained and replaced with any oil seals or damaged parts that allow water to enter the oil end of the pump/crankcase.

3. Is there any tilt or play in the connecting rod, or can you swing the plunger easily and notice the play?

When you remove the pump head, there are usually three plungers behind the pump head and inside the pump body. They are connected to the connecting rod and crankshaft. If you wiggle the plungers and they look sloppy, it's time to replace your pump. You will usually first notice a drop in pressure, and in some cases, there may be no pressure or pulsatile effect. A damaged or loose piston guide will mean a complete pump replacement. You can take it to a service center and have them recommend or replace the pump.

4. Is the internal pump head scratched or is the pump head itself washed out?

The pump head needs a smooth inner surface to seal properly. If you have shampooed hair or worn metal, it's usually not in good shape. Also, nicks or lines inside the brass head are a problem that won't reseal. In either case, finding any of these problems is not good. Typically, the cost of a pump head may not exceed the cost of replacing a complete pump.