I replaced the boiler and circulator in my hydronic heating system back in 2005. Recently, the Taco 007-F5 circulator was working OK but making an annoying droning noise that reverberated through the house via the pipes. I changed out the circulator and all is quiet now. I disassembled the old circulator to salvage the copper wire windings and the two brass pieces on the motor armature. When I cut into the motor cartridge, water came out. I know the motor relies on the circulating water to stay cool but is the armature supposed to be immersed in water or did the shaft seal fail? Just curious.
Thanks, Bill!

The shaft seal failed. Water should never get into the motor body. Is the circulator mounted correctly?

Thanks for your reply. Yes, the circulator is mounted correctly, in the vertical position. Again, I was just curious about the water, the new circulator is dead quiet.

As mentioned once before in a previous post... I love your boat!

Vertical?
Check the installation instructions. It seems to me the motor is never to be at the 6 O'Clock position & if it is at 12 O'Clock, you have to maintain at least 20(?) psi on the system.

My pump is mounted with the motor shaft in the horizontal position and the pump itself is mounted with the inlet and outlet vertically. The circulator came already mounted on the boiler when I bought it as I recall.

OK, that's better. When you said vertical, I thought you meant the motor was vertical.

Sorry to alarm you!

No alarm. I just thought I had an easy answer to why water got into the motor. That is a very rare occurrence with a properly installed circulator. Some things can't be explained easily. ;)

I also sent a message to Taco asking about water in the cartridge. Here's the response (copy & paste)

From: John Leveille
Message: TACO's 00 Series of circulators have water lubricated cartridges. That is to say that water is needed inside of the cartridge. This is a normal condition.

I also sent a message to Taco asking about water in the cartridge. Here's the response (copy & paste)

From: John Leveille
Message: TACO's 00 Series of circulators have water lubricated cartridges. That is to say that water is needed inside of the cartridge. This is a normal condition.

Seems strange to me. Electricity & water generally aren't a good mix. If there is water inside the cartridge, that's one thing but water in the field windings? Sounds fishy to me.

No, no, no... no water in the windings... nice and dry in there. As mentioned in my first post, when I cut into the cartridge water came out. Only thing in the cartridge is the armature and brass bearing supports.

Sorry, I misread. I saw "cut into the cartridge" but it just went into my eyes & straight out the back of my head. Didn't slow down at all. :(

Been there, done that too!