Jetted tub doesn't work. :(

10 years ago

I had my house built in 2007, and have always loved my jetted tub. I haven't used it as much in the past year, though, since the jets stopped working. When I push the button, the unit will turn on and there is a little suction at the intake, but nothing at all comes out of the jets. Anyone have ideas about what might be the problem?

Featured Answer

MongoCT

10 years ago

I'll try to offer a range of things to look at. Some will not apply to your situation, so discard as needed:

It's always best to start with the electrical source. It's probably on a GFCI breaker or a GFCI outlet. I'd test and exercise (reset) the breaker/outlet.

Some tubs have one or two motors. Make sure they are both plugged in. If one is not running, some motors have reset buttons on the side of the motor housing. Press to reset if needed.

If one of the motors is not running, most tub motors are actuated with air switches. You press a button on the tub deck and you're actually pushing a slug of air through a tube, and on the motor end of that tube the air actuates a switch to turn the motor on. Make sure the tube is connected, not kinked, etc.

With that basic housekeeping out of the way:

When the unit turns on, does the motor sound like it is running freely? Or does it just make a humming sound?

Some motors, if there is a starter capacitor and it goes bad, the motor can make a humming sound. There's not enough juice available to get the motor fully running. If you listen closely it sounds like the motor is saying "I think I can I think I can..." But it can't. Think of the starter capacitor as something that stores up electricity and holds on to it. When you start the motor, it releases that jolt of electricity to help turn the motor.

Starter capacitors are dangerous to handle. No kidding. You can kill yourself if you discharge it by touching it. Do not think that is an exaggeration, it's not. I don't often add disclaimers to my posts, but with regards to this I will. It can kill you.

If the motor is humming but not spinning freely, the motor's rotation could be restricted. Frozen shaft, jammed impeller, etc.

If the motor is spinning some, but is sounds like it id struggling to rotate...varying rotation speed, etc...i could be a restricted shaft, a restricted impeller, bad bearings, etc.

If the motor is running freely, but water is simply not moving, it could be a broken impeller. Or maybe airlock. Airlock may not be the proper term, it'd probably be better to simply write that the motor might have lost its prime. If the tub is run with the water level below the intake, you can get air in the impeller/tubing/plumbing, and the air is preventing water from reaching the pump. There are usually bleed ports that allow you to bleed the air out of the system.

Some tubs have a separate blower that adds air. Again, make sure that is running.

Sorry I have no single definitive solution. Just a scattering of ideas.

Good luck!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

mmcf
10 years ago
Wow, thanks monogct!
I'm not the OP, but I'm clipping this for future reference just in case!
Related Discussions
Cleaning bath tub jets
Q
Comments (8)
Unlike bathtubs, hot tubs aren't for bathing. They are for relaxing. People are supposed to be clean before they get in. Since soap or detergent should never be used in a hot tub, it doesn't have to be drained after each use, but germicide is still required to keep bacteria in check. Adding germicide to a bathtub for each use would be an expensive hassle, in my opinion. How well the germicide would interact with soap or detergent is an unknown.
...See More
Air tub vs. Jet tub Need recommendations
Q
Comments (4)
Dreambuilder - I went through many of the same thoughts as you. I do prefer the feel of water jets over an air bath. I seriously considered a Sanijet but had concerns after reading of another GWer having to replace motors... after having leaks! (in my install detecting leaks would be difficult). Then I saw one in person and was put off by what looks exactly like a drip tray underneath the tub. The Sanijet person I was working with denied it was a drip tray but couldn't give me a satisfactory reason why it existed. So I turned to investigating the ozone methods of disinfection several whirlpool tub manufacturers have implemented. I decided to go with a Neptune whirlpooltub. Their ozone disinfection begins after the tub is emptied and the ozone is injected directly into the tubes... unlike most manufacturers who inject the ozone into the bath water to be pulled through by the running jets. I'm a nerd and read several ozone studies before making my decision. I will also use a product that claims to prevent a biofilm from forming. Not as easy to confirm this will work due to the proprietary compounds in the various products. But I know it is possible, given the right ingredients. I did consult with the inventor of the product I chose and he sent me some of his data as well as confirm there wouldn't be a problem combining it with ozone. Now, I can't tell you if I made the right choices yet... my bathtub has been sitting in my living room because the bathroom reno was delayed - hopefully a mid February start at this point! Whether you ultimately choose a whirlpool or an air tub, if you can, try to sit in a number of tubs to find what fits you best. I'm lucky to live within an hour's drive from a tub showroom that boasts to have over 400 on the floor! While there I also discovered that with my hard well water keeping air injectors open and de-calcified could be a chore. Good luck!
...See More
Sorry kitchen folks- Do you have a Air or Jetted Bath Tub?
Q
Comments (12)
I have a large 2 person jacuzzi 6 foot tub. It is the bellavista. It has 8 jets and an in-line heater. The heater is a must as the water stays nice and hot. I love the big tub and am planning on getting a maax kashmir freestanding tub for my new home. It has air & jets. The new tubs have the drains for the jets at an angle so they drain better. That was the problem with most of the bacteria build up. My tub is about 5 years old. I also have an outdoor hot tub that I can't live without. I have chronic pain and they both do wonders for my health. I highly recommend them both. I know that the big tubs take up a lot of room in a bathroom, but it all comes down to want you want. It is a choice that I have been very happy with.
...See More
large jetted tub for tub/shower combo?
Q
Comments (0)
I am planning a tub/shower combo (with a shower curtain, not glass,) but my husband, a big guy, tells me he wants a air/jetted tub. What I am worrying about is that most of those tub seem to have a contoured bottom — is it safe to stand in a tub like that when showering? Do the jets/nozzles get in the way? Does anyone know of a large tub with jets and/or air that would work well in a tub/shower combo? Is anyone with experience with this willing to give me advice or suggestions?
...See More
Valerie-L
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the information! However, I know very little about how the thing works, so I'm not sure where to find all the parts you're talking about. There's an access panel (although it's behind a full bookcase...), so I'll get in there and see what I can find. With a set of instructions, I'm a wonderful DIYer... but I have a hard time trouble shooting things I'm not familiar with.

It's not the GFCI. Even though it's getting some power, that's the first thing I tried. The motor sounds like it's running normally, but much quieter since there's no air being propelled into the water. Where should the impeller/bleed ports be? What do they look like? With the access door as small as it is, would I be able to tell whether the hoses are kinked?

Thanks again for taking the time to respond. :)
realtrrldy
10 years ago
In my jetted tub (circa 1986) there is a knob on the side of the tub that you turn to let air in. My home inspector said my tub didn't work, but a repair man I had in years later looked at it, turned the knob and voila! I sell houses and have since been able to show a few inspectors how to work the tub, lol!
MongoCT
10 years ago
My initial reply was sort of a shotgun reply. A scattering of information.

Your best bet is to identify the make, and if possible, the model of your tub. Then you can go to the manufacturers website and they'll usually have the original installation manuals online in pdf format. You can look through that manual to identify what features your tub does and does not have.

If there are no identifying features on the "show side" of the tub, when you remove the access panel and poke your head inside there should be identifying information on or near the motor.
Valerie-L
Original Author
10 years ago
Mongoct, thanks again for the reply. I know it's a Royal tub, and have perused their website, but have come up short in terms of installation or user manuals. I e-mailed the company, and hopefully they can provide support.

Realtrrldy, I only have 2 items on the side of my tub--one is the push button that turns the whole thing on, and the other is a knob that allows you to adjust the strength of the jets. Is this the one you're referring to, or should I look for another one somewhere?
hopeburns2005
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I know this is an older thread - I also have a jetted tub in the master on the main floor (over the basement) I was running it to clean out the jets - went down to tthe basement - and found it was leaking. Called my usual plumber - he took the front panel off the tub and saw where the motor was leaking. He said it would take a couple of weeks to get the motor - that was 2 months ago. Either he's incredibly busy or in a little over his head with this & just doesn't want to tell me :-) I'm not sure of the jetted tub manufacturer - my home was built in 2006 - I'm the original owner. What type of plumber or repair service would you suggest calling ?? Thank you!
PRO
By Any Design Ltd.
8 years ago
Fixing these tubs is a beast of a job and that is if you have perfect access to the leaking parts. I would call a number of plunging out fits and the maker of the tub and hope that someone is free.

Jetted tub doesn't work. :(

MongoCT

Comments (8)

mmcf

Related Discussions

Valerie-L
Original Author

realtrrldy

MongoCT

Valerie-L
Original Author

hopeburns2005

By Any Design Ltd.

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Jetted tub doesn't work. :(

MongoCT

Comments (8)

mmcf

Related Discussions

Valerie-LOriginal Author

realtrrldy

MongoCT

Valerie-LOriginal Author

hopeburns2005

By Any Design Ltd.

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Valerie-L
Original Author

Valerie-L
Original Author