Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Gast 1023 pump - when to rebuild?

I've got a Gast 1023 pump that is several years old now. Maybe three or four, can't remember. How can I tell it is time for a rebuild? If it goes too long (maybe vanes break???) will it cause harm to the pump? Or do you just go till it quits working? (I'm thinking probably not).

So far it seems to be working fine and pushing air to all the diffusers. My pressure is running about the same as it always has but it might be down one psi, although that could be because the pond is a foot low. :-)

I ran across this Youtube video on how to rebuild it. Looks simple enough.

I see Amazon and Ebay both have kits for around $105.

Youtube Gast pump rebuild video

Generally most people wait for a rebuild until the vanes become worn to the point the vane falls out of the rotor slot. this This then busts the vane and jams the rotor from turning. Several features of the entire system will determine how fast the vanes wear out: operational hours, depth of diffuser, lack of proper air filtration, operation pressure.

I may just order a kit and have it on hand and let the pump run as is for a while then. It seems to be working ok now.

At installation I put an air filter on the inlet with a paper element. I got it from a farm store and the element and plastic air box was for the air intake on a high pressure compressor like a big shop compressor. So I think it has decent filtration of the air going in. The pressure runs around 6-7 psi. I also put a 15 psi gauge on the outlet at installation also.

The air filters should be changed regularly. Depending on the size of the air filter and the amount of dust in the environment, that could be as soon as every 3 months. The vanes are made from graphite. I've had them be one big dust pile in the compressor when they came out and grenaded. They did/do no damage to the compressor housing, just clean it out good, make sure the vanes are installed in the correct orientation, that they can slide easily in the rotor, the gasket sealing surfaces are clean and use a new gasket. Heat is the worst enemy of the compressor, that is why it's critical to have them in a well ventilated area.

Good information. That is what I wanted to know. Thanks.

The smaller the surface area on the air filter and dirtier the air the more often the air filter should be changed. You can easily check the amount of clogging on the air filter is to with our mouth blow air through the filter from the compressor side connection. If you can very easily blow air through it, the compressor does not work hard to get air. Filter very likely is then okay. I like big filters on the compressors. A 1024 compressor sucks in around 74 gallons of air per minute!. Air can be dirty depending on conditions.