[Goldie818]

Hello Everyone!

I have a new Eheim 2217 canister (its only a few months old) I just cleaned it the other day, and decided to look at the impeller and make sure it wasn't dirty. This was my first time doing this part, because I did not have a need to do so previously. I put it back together, primed it, and there has been a loud rattling/grinding noise ever since. I know it is not due to air. I know what that sounds like, and have sat and gently tipped it to remove all the air. I have checked every connection, and they all seem fine. The hoses are a tad dirty ( I lack brushes for now) but I can still see through them, and have rinsed them. I am really bummed because this filter ran soooo incredibly quietly (first filter to ever do so as advertised!) before this last cleaning. I bought a new shaft, thinking maybe mine was warped, but it hasn't helped. I have noticed the hole in the impeller might be more oval shaped, however it has been rattling for two weeks, so this may be a result of the grinding, not a cause. I ordered a new impeller anyways, but am worried what to do if the sound persists after I put in the new impeller. Any information about this problem would be awesome!

Thanks Everyone!

 

[jcmv4792]

I think contacting Eheim directly would be more helpful.

 

[The Big Buddha]

I had mine making a rattling and the impeller holes were oval, got quieter with a new impeller so you should be good.
But if it's a new filter definetly contact Eheim, that's not right at a few months.

 

[Goldie818]

Well, since I bought it off ebay from big al's, I honestly didn't think eheim would help me much. I had an awful fluval customer service experience, and opted for asking around here first. I will contact them (don't wanna be an askhole ) simply because I payed a pretty penny for it to suddenly need a new impeller. I would almost bet $$$ that they tell me to try everything I already have lol I will still take any advice from people who have had a similar experience with theirs, and even if they had success contacting eheim! And I thank you both for your advice!

 

[jrill]

Make sure the shaft is seated properly in the bushings.

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[kilauea91]

You also need to make sure the tiny hole(see photo, credit to zig on ukaps) near the impeller housing is not clogged by debris or mulm.
the hole is a curved channel to the impeller housing cavity to help purge air/relieve pressure inside the impeller cavity.
You can use bendable soft metal wire or thick nylon wire(fishing line) to clear the channel free of mulm,
or use compressed can air to blast the hole clear.

 

[PlantedRich]

The new impeller should also come with rubber bushings if I remember correctly. Make sure there is one on both ends of the shaft as it is easy to lose the one out of the bottom of the well and not see it missing. The Eheim shaft is ceramic so it will not be bent. Breaks if dropped but not bent. Another place to clean is inside the impeller itself. this is a spot where algae/grunge can collect and then a bit of sand can stick in that to wear and score the shaft.

 

[Goldie818]

I will try to clean the tiny hole. I have read about it before, and figured thats what people meant by "air vent". I was hesitant to stick anything into it, but did wipe the whole area to remove any debris. It is quite clean to me, and there wasn't much gunk when I first opened the impeller housing. I have been wondering if the bladed part is supposed to move independently from the magnet? Not come off, but move to an extent back and forth. And yes, I am aware about the bushings on both ends. I have no way of removing the bottom one. I have cleaned down there best I could. Then, I place the shaft into it until I hear a suction "pop", carefully place the impeller onto the shaft. Then, the other bushing is usually in the cap already, so I place the cover back on, carefully line the shaft up with the bushing thats in the lock part, and lock it into place after the shaft is in. I am afraid to push the shaft any harder than I do because I know they break easily. I am at a loss as to what started the noise! Thanks for all the input btw!!

 

[PlantedRich]

Okay if the bushings are on each end and the cover fits, you are likely to have it placed right as the cover won't fit otherwise. The bit of "pop" as it fits the bottom bushing sounds good as it needs to be tight. The blades should be loose on the other parts. The mag drive type motor has so little torque to get moving, this is a way to let the magnets get just a tiny bit of start before the pressure from the blades is added. A good look at the blades might help spot a nick or chunk missing? Not unbalanced?
But then it is possible for the shaft to wear quickly if a bit of sand gets stuck between it and the impeller. I check for wear by looking but then I place the shaft on a flat surface with a bright light like an LED behind it. Slowly rolling the shaft and looking for spots where the light shows under can help spot wear that you might miss just looking.
If you spot nothing yet, it is possible to take the magnet off the plastic part to look at it. Squeezing somewhat carefully on the knobs at the end will let them slip through and come out. No tiny little fine parts but just don't break the plastic?
Since the impeller is the only moving part other than water, you about have to be looking in the right place.

 

[Straight shooter]

PlantedRich knows what he's talking about but I still don't believe you should go to this much effort when a warranty claim would be easier. The more you muck around with the 2217, the higher the chance of voiding the warranty.

Contact Big Al's and request a new unit.

 

[Goldie818]

Thats what I figured! Its driving me nuts! I have cleaned the impeller best I can, and have checked for any nicks or chunks. Is there a way to tell if it is unbalanced with the impeller on the shaft? Mine gets pulled to the sides of the chamber, but I figured thats because theres nothing stabilizing the top of the shaft when its open. I should receive a new impeller hopefully saturday, so I'll probably refrain from taking off the blades until then. I know I'll break it lol my luck is terrible! I am just so bummed. This is such an awesome and simple filter, my first canister, but its just so loud now! It was so perfect before Also, sand could be an issue because I do have some in my tank. Do you know how loose the blades should be? Mine are pretty tight on there. Just curious so I know what is right and what is wrong! If they're supposed to be loose, perhaps there is sand stuck in there? Also, I did not notice much sand when I first opened it. Maybe a few grains here and there, but it was hard to tell what was from the filter running, and what was transfer while I was cleaning it. Thanks!

Bump:

I still don't believe you should go to this much effort when a warranty claim would be easier.

I agree, I am just worried a new impeller will fail in a few months if there is something causing the imbalance/grinding noise. Eheim is willing to send me another impeller, once I send proof of purchase, a pic of the impeller, blah blah blah. Thats fine, I'd just hate to be right back in this same spot in a few months. I am not confident that big al's will just give me a whole new unit, either. :frown2:

 

[vvDO]

I have a 2232, unknowingly dropped a rubber bushing which keeps impeller in place, would rattle loudly. First I thought it was air, but was much louder than what air usually sounded like. Took it apart multiple times then found the instructions where it depicted the small bushing. Luckily it fell into the sink disposal and no one turned it on. Once I replaced it, quiet as ever.


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[PlantedRich]

If the impeller gets pulled to the side of the well when you hold the shaft centered, there is a problem with the bottom. Holding the center with a finger so that the sides are not touching, you should be able to spin the impeller.
At this point a good bright light like a little LED flashlight to shine down in the well to look might be my next thing. The problem with the warranty idea is that you kind of need to know what it does so that 4-5 years from now you will know if it does it again. If the bottom rubber bushing is lost in some way, knowing that will be very helpful. And I have to admit that is one of the things that bedevil me at times.
Most of the time the bushing stays in the well but when it comes out on the shaft and I don't know it, I have wiped it off in the rag while cleaning. Then when I put it back together, I get noise until I look in the rag and find the bushing!
The "feel" may feel right but, who knows, you could be sticking it down in a snail shell instead! I try to be smart but at times, I do really dumb things like that.
The blades should be loose to spin part way. No real drag but a solid stop when it reaches a point on the rest.

 

[Goldie818]

Ok! How do you get the bushing out of the bottom portion? Mine is always stuck!

 

[kilauea91]

I use this to pick out the old bushing inside the impeller chamber.
it doesn't take any effort with the right tool.
Just be REALLY careful not to scratch the inner wall.
Any scar/damage inside may cause turbulence when impeller spins and make it rattle. Do this at your own risk.
Simply mount the new bushing on the shaft and slide it back in the cup.

As PlantRich suggested, a flashlight is absolutely necessary when doing this.

Husky Precision Pick and Probe Set (4-Piece)-60004H - The Home Depot

Ok! How do you get the bushing out of the bottom portion? Mine is always stuck!

 

[Goldie818]

Good to know! I would have neglected to think about not scratching the inside. I will work on it this weekend, when I receive my new impeller. I hope that solves everything! I'll be at a loss if it doesn't!! Thanks for all the suggestions, it has been helpful.

 

[daworldisblack]

I don't know if it'll help but I've also put Vaseline on the impeller shaft hole so the metal rod it slips onto is coated and that has helped with hob filters in the past making rattling noise

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[Goldie818]

I am debating on getting plumber's grease this weekend. I have tried vaseline on an impeller for my old HOB, but it only collected sludge :/ I got my new impeller today, way earlier than I expected. I even replaced both the bushings and shaft. It was quiet for the first few minutes, but now its noisy again :/ not nearly as bad as before, but not as silent as when I first got it, either. What is weird, however, is that the impeller hole on my old impeller has definitely gotten more oval shaped in just a few days. I feel theres something causing it to be off balance, but I cannot figure out what. I KNOW I am putting it together correctly. I can't see how I am messing that up. Its not hard lol. I'm just upset because I know that in a few days, the hole of this new impeller will probably become oval as well. I was afraid this would happen. I just asked eheim what my options are if the noise continues with a new impeller, but their responses to my previous questions had the vibe of "Dear god, just replace the impeller and shut the #$%* up. There's nothing else wrong with it." But I fear there is. We will see what they say!

 

[Straight shooter]

You have sufficient cause for a refund/replacement. For the love of God stop fiddling with it, you'll only make it worse. If you damage something the warranty will void. Big Al's will replace your Eheim with a new one. Stop liaising with Eheim they won't be much help.

Impellers should only be replaced after a few years. You only need to clean/service the impeller yearly. With a new filter I'd let it run for a full year before going anywhere near the impeller.

You should never have pulled it out so early in the life of the filter.

 

[Goldie818]

Hm. No need to be a douche. I have dirt and sand as substrate, therefore I feel the impeller needs to be looked at more often considering the load it takes. I'm sure you know all about taking on huge loads though, right? I have NEVER heard that you ONLY service the impeller once a year. Nor that taking the impeller out "early" is going to make any type of difference. I felt the need to clean it, and it did need wiping out on account of the dirt and sand. If I had less filthy fish, yearly maintenance would probably be the case. But I don't. With goldfish, I have to maintain a filter nearly twice as often as "cleaner" fish. I HAVE heard CONSISTENTLY that you need to keep an eye on whats in the impeller chamber, ESPECIALLY if you have sand with fish that enjoy sifting through it. I'll see if Big Al's will replace it, but I highly doubt they will, not with something this expensive. I feel they will only offer a replacement impeller, which will do me no good if the problem persists. Hence what I am trying to find. Paying to ship it back is also a pain, and a last resort. Not to mention I would have no filter for my fish during that process.