Mira vigour power shower

[ross94]

Hi all, i believe my shower may be on its way out, for the past few months it sounds like the pump is really struggling and the shower is also slightly noisier than usual.

The shower is around 10 years old
Here is some pics
as you can probably see the inside is quite blackened especially near the motor, something tells me this isn't right and perhaps dangerous?

Could the power shower just be on its way out or is there something more serious going on here? What is a reasonable lifespan for a power shower?

Despite the strange noise the shower has been making it is still working and have never has not blown the 3 amp fuse the fcu or tripped the rcd.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[John D v2.0]

The blackening is probably just carbon from the motor brushes. It will float around inside the casing and mess up everything with a conductive dust.
Replacement brushes if they are overly worn are available. The should be fairly easy to fit.
Example of where you can buy them:
https://www.mrcarbonbrush.com/Mira_Essentials_Shower/p2644628_14008552.aspx

 

[ross94]

Thanks

 

[Madrab]

You need to isolate power and the water and give the shower internals a good brush out with a really soft paint brush or a can of spray air, especially around the motor. Ideally if you can, disconnect and remove the motor as it make it much easier to work on. You also need to inspect and clean the armature to ensure it isn't too worn, otherwise it will just eat the new brushes. If it's getting noisy then the bearings may also be contaminated and they will eventually fail. Your motor looks like the later grey one so it shouldn't have brass carriers but check the springs are in good condition.

Do all of this first to confirm that it wont be a waste of time fitting new brushes.

If anything is too worn then after 10 years I don't think it owes you anything.