rattling noise in my Powerhead

[MrIan1077]

My Aqua Clear 70 Powerhead is making a funny rattling sound when it's on.I've taken it apart cleaned it and greased the shaft where the propeller is.That stopped for about 5 minutes and then the noise again.I have the same noises coming from my Aqua Clear 110's.It's a little bit better since I greased the propeller shaft but,not silent like when I bought it.What can I do to stop this noise or calm it down?

[OinKY]

"Greasing" with what?

A powerhead (or pump drive in a powerfilter) is just a revolving fixed vane on a shaft in a fixed magnetic field. Only one moving part (the shaft). If you have noise it means the shaft is off balance,so either the end bushings of the shaft are worn/warped or an impeller vane fin(s) is cracked...and doesn't take much on either to make one helluva rattle.
Pull the impeller out and vivibly inspect for: foriegn debris wrapped on shaft (a hair maybe),cracked magnet (hairline will do it),bent shaft,deformed or loose rubber end bushings and/or wear where they insert on shaft or into housing,and lightly "flex" each vane while looking for cracks (again,hairline will do it). Oh,and while you have the impeller out,take a Q-tip and and clean out the bushing pockets on the powerhead/filter and the magnet drive cavity....algae,detritus,stray sand and/or media "fallout" can have an effect on balance and performance.

Did this to a Penguin 350B about 3 hours ago.Just stopped.Now humming along bouncing flow off the front glass like a fire hose.

[MrIan1077]

good deal...I'm not the only one I see that has these problems with the annoying rattling noises from equipment...LOL...I'll examine everything tomorrow thoroughly.Should I use vaseline on the shaft piece?

[OinKY]

The little rubber bushings are actually "self-lubricating" (actually low-friction) and the shaft should rotate freely without any additional lubing. Vaseline,and other petroleum-based lubricants,actually degrade rubber over time.
IF you feel extra lubing is needed a food-grade silicone lubricant is the most safe.

Remember that any lube used in a "flow area" is going to have its chemical makeup spread through the tank pretty quickly.Especially a powerhead with no media of any type to collect it...not that media collecting it is a good thing either.

[Paul, The Engineer]

My Aqua Clear 70 Powerhead is making a funny rattling sound when it's on.I've taken it apart cleaned it and greased the shaft where the propeller is.That stopped for about 5 minutes and then the noise again.I have the same noises coming from my Aqua Clear 110's.It's a little bit better since I greased the propeller shaft but,not silent like when I bought it.What can I do to stop this noise or calm it down?

rattling sound maybe attributed at the following:
1) worn out shaft-end holder;
2) broken impeller that make it unbalance;
3) foreign matter or gravel inside the shaft hole.

there is no need to lubricate because water is already a lubricant when everything is in order.

[MrIan1077]

I exchange the power head for a new one.The rubber piece on the impeller was distorted.