Ecotech’s Grease Improves Reliability?

[chiefifd]

Now that we know Ecotech uses Molykote 111 to lubricate their MP's. Has anyone had a positive or negative experience using the Molykote 111 or similar lube?

I've been taking my MP40 apart, cleaning it in a citric acid bath for 30 minutes, wiping all the components down, and then lubing the base of the ceramic disk and a very light coating on the spindle.

I've been doing this about every two months with zero issues with the wet-side. My MP is only about 6 months old, so my experience with the MP's is limited.

Take care all :)

 

[Saltyreef]

Yes molykote 111 will prolong the life of the ceramic shaft cover and prevent rust from penetrating from the stainless shaft.
Its great stuff :)

 

[chiefifd]

I'm happy to hear it. I asked the question a few months back and nobody had an answer about what if anything lubricant should be used on the MP's.

This is just a follow-up to my original question about what Ecotech was using in their MP's. It was just a break-in lubricant of an unknown product as was said prior.

I'd like to know if people had bad experiences with the MP's not using the molykote 111 lubricant vs. using it. Has the lubricant resolved any of the wet-side issues that seemed to run pretty common here.

 

[Saltyreef]

I'm happy to hear it. I asked the question a few months back and nobody had an answer about what if anything lubricant should be used on the MP's.

This is just a follow-up to my original question about what Ecotech was using in their MP's. It was just a break-in lubricant of an unknown product as was said prior.

I'd like to know if people had bad experiences with the MP's not using the molykote 111 lubricant vs. using it. Has the lubricant resolved any of the wet-side issues that seemed to run pretty common here.

Oh yea without it ive had 3 wetsides ceramic shafts crumble apart.

 

[Mike konesky]

Picked up a tube of this stuff when I saw them finally reply. Seems to work great. A single tube is gonna last a lifetime.

 

[ReefRondo]

I have to say since using it mine have been flawless. Had a few failures prior to that so for me it has made a difference.

 

[chiefifd]

I'm glad to hear it! The Molykote 111 seems to have made a difference for the better. No down-sides yet reported. ;Happy

Gotta wonder how many more Ecotech MP's they might sell because of a possible improvement in durability. I know that has been a big concern over time because of wet-side issues reported here.

 

[Saltyreef]

Picked up a tube of this stuff when I saw them finally reply. Seems to work great. A single tube is gonna last a lifetime.

Its got a wide range of uses.
Once you figure them out i bet it lasts only half a lifetime LOL :)

 

[andarre]

Quick question for you guys, sorry to bring this back but I don't want to start a thread of my own for this... I used some molykote 111 on my 2 MP10's this weekend (saturday) and since then, my skimmer won't produce skimmate at all, it just sits there and bubbles away like a boiling pot but none of it builds up. Only thing I did was add the molykote to the shaft and underneath the magnet.

Could I have used too much and now it's in the water affecting my skimmer's production? How do I get rid of it? I wiped off what I applied yesterday with paper towels and didn't see any real residue left over. I also know that I have plenty of DOC in the water and waste for the skimmer to pick up so that wouldn't be it...

 

[Saltyreef]

Any kind of oil or grease can change the water chemistry just enough to make the skimmer respond negatively. I dont know if its surface tension its affecting or something else.

Kinda like putting your finger into a foaming rootbeer after you just poured it.
Watch how quick the bubbles disappear from the oil on your skin :)

 

[enlighten]

glad I looked this up, I was deep cleaning my mp10s and letting them "break in" after cleaning to remove the noise. Overnighted the product, hoping to see positive results from it and add it to my maintenence routine with the wet side cleanings.

 

[slingfox]

I have been using molycote periodically when I removed my 2 MP40s for maintenance. My MP40s are only a year old and so far they are working great.

 

[ruxsir]

glad I looked this up, I was deep cleaning my mp10s and letting them "break in" after cleaning to remove the noise. Overnighted the product, hoping to see positive results from it and add it to my maintenence routine with the wet side cleanings.

Did this solve with noise? Have an MP10 right now that is pretty noisy, hoping that if I apply grease it will silence it.

 

[enlighten]

Works fine. But noise does also go away with time as well. I only re apply if i do a real deep clean on the wetside and clear out all the old grease.

 

[slingfox]

Did this solve with noise? Have an MP10 right now that is pretty noisy, hoping that if I apply grease it will silence it.

Pretty noisy straight out of the box? That is not a good sign. Does not hurt to try re-greasing the unit but if I had a very noisy powerhead straight out of the box I would try to do a warranty claim or return.

I run two MP40s at 80% or so. Two years and they are still functioning great. Virtually silent unless I pump them to 100% which I never do. I only regrease when I disassemble to do a deep clean which is once every few months.

 

[ruxsir]

Pretty noisy straight out of the box? That is not a good sign. Does not hurt to try re-greasing the unit but if I had a very noisy powerhead straight out of the box I would try to do a warranty claim or return.

No, these were used for a year then kept in storage for a year. One of the shafts broke so that wetside is no good and the other I was going to reapply the grease but noticed a super small crack in the magnet so that one is also no good. So won’t have any luck with a warranty claim. Oh well I’ll keep the dry sides and eventually get new wetsides.

 

[slingfox]

No, these were used for a year then kept in storage for a year. One of the shafts broke so that wetside is no good and the other I was going to reapply the grease but noticed a super small crack in the magnet so that one is also no good. So won’t have any luck with a warranty claim. Oh well I’ll keep the dry sides and eventually get new wetsides.

The wetsides are much cheaper to replace which is nice. I hope the new wetsides last long!

 

[enlighten]

Yeah def best to replace the wetsides and way mpre cost effective than buying a whole new unit.

 

[ruxsir]

Yeah I’ll get around to replacing them. I’ll wait for holiday sales to see if I can get some deals. I have a Nero 3 that I’m using now.

 

[chiefifd]

As far as cleaning the MP's I do the same as many here do. I clean them every few months & apply the grease to the shaft, tip of the shaft and ground the base. My oldest ones about 5 years old with no issues. Only issue is finding the O-Ring that helps keep the cage on, mine has worn apparently and the cage now tends to spin itself off. EchoTech wants like $32.00 to ship one $3 dollar O-Ring.
The only other thing I'd add is to use Citric Acid in place of Vinegar. Vinegar is hard on rubber gaskets & tends to swell them as well as the magnets protective coating.
Take care all..........