I have a recently replaced Zoeller WM-266 waste discharge pump for a Qwik Jon system in my basement. The pump continues to hum (usually at night when I'm not using the water in the basement) It makes this noise for as long as four minutes before it engages or out of frustration I will turn the basement faucet on to expedite the process.

The times I had the plumber come by to check the system, I could not duplicate the problem. However he told me the eviscerating teeth will engage for approximately 20-30 seconds before the waste discharges.

Could you tell me what this problem may be, and how to correct it?

Thank you kindly!

Here is a parts break down of a WM266.
http://igate.northernplumbing.com/partsbreakdowns/zoeller/266.pdf

I see nothing called "eviscerating teeth", only an impeller on the end of the motor shaft.

Check the operation of the float. It could be that the float or float switch is failing to turn the pump off properly and you only hear the pump when it runs dry.


I will turn the basement faucet on to expedite the process.

Adding water could be freeing the float and allowing it to properly turn the pump off.

My apologies for the term "eviscerating teeth". It was my poor attempt to paraphrase how the plumber explained it to me. The pump normally makes this humming sound for 20-30 seconds before the water ejects. My complaint is that 20-30 sec goes on for some time.

I don't believe the pump is running dry, because the times when I wait the 3+ minutes (of humming) I will hear the water discharge and the sound cease.

Hey Russell

Have you done a DYE test on your toilet to see if water is running into the bowl? If not, I would have you put 20 drops of a dark food coloring dye into the toilet TANK only and then go away for an hour. When you return, if you see colored water in the toilet BOWL then the flapper is defective and needs to be replaced.

Here, I am thinking that water is slowly draining into the quikjon and starting to engage the pump, but not quite enough... maybe?? When you turn the water on at the sink it allows the float to finally engage and turn on the pump (or enough water finally drips into the quickjon collection tank and engages all by itself).

Try the dye test and let me know what happens, OK?

Mark

Hello Mark,
I changed the toilet flap last week. However, thanks to your suggestion regarding the toilet, I closely listened for water and, it was dripping into the quick-jon tank from the water-softner (slow steady drip). My softner feeds into the tank.

However still, shouldn't the pump discharge water once the float is engaged?

I appreciate you taken your time to help me with this!
Russell

If the pump is running and no water is being ejected, either there is no water or there is water but it cannot be ejected for some reason or the impeller is spinning on the shaft. Since adding water makes the pump actually start pumping immediately (I assume) that pretty much eliminates there being a blockage and the impeller spinning on the shaft. That leaves no water to be pumped.

I suggest removing a seal around one of the pipes or the electrical cord so you can shine flash light down and see the water level the next time it happens. If you remove the seal ahead of time, you can look in without disturbing anything.

If the pump is running and there is no water, that would be because of either a stuck float or an electrical short in the switch. I don't think running water from the faucet would raise the float because a running pump would pump out the water as fast as it came in. However, actually pumping water might cause enough vibration in the pump switch to eliminate the electrical short.

You did say that this was a new pump.

The pump normally makes this humming sound for 20-30 seconds before the water ejects

There should be no delay between pump start and water actually being pumped. Looking at the internal wiring diagram I suspect you have a faulty switch.

The humming being the motor trying to start but can't.

There should be no delay between pump start and water actually being pumped. Looking at the internal wiring diagram I suspect you have a faulty switch.

The humming being the motor trying to start but can't.

Hello Harold,
Thanks for all your help!
Russell