Intex Recreation review: problem with pool pump size! 102

Pretty much the same thing has and is happening to me. I recently just purchased the 18' x 48" pool with pump model 635. When I first switched the pump on it swiched on but did not turn. Being a Licensed Millwright and Eletrician I knew to shut it off right away. I followed the procedure such as opening the valves in sequence, bled the air, etc. So I went through it again and switch the pump on. Same thing but this time I gave on top of the motor a slap with my hand and it started. Right away I knew something was wrong becuase it didn't sound right. I drained it all removed the pump and called Intex. They told me the same thing they told you. I decided to have a look at it. When I remove the filter I found approx 1/8" x 3" ceramic shaft. I thought this is not right or good. Called Intex explain what I found. Recieved the same answer I got the first time. I figure this is crap. So I decided to open up the front of the motor casing to have a look. Here I find that the shaft inside the motor is broken and that was the other half of the shaft. For the way these motors are set up I find it impossible for this shaft to break and where I found it to get there. I think this happened during the assembly of the motor. I put shaft where it is suppose to be and the pump runs, mind you the shaft is still broken. The pump runs but does not sound good nor does it pump very much. I do believe the pump is under sized. It does not circulate the water enough causing all kinds of problems, disheartmanship and not say extra money. I won't even talk about the filters. My kids wanted to go swimming and this is why I did what did. The water is and has been so cloudy you can not even is half way down. I been on all kinds of web sites trying to figure out how solve this problem. I'm glad I found your site. I always felt this pump is not right. I was and still might have to buy a different pump that is going to cost me as much or more then this whole pool set up has cost me. Very very disappointed with this pump issue and Intex. I too want justice.

That 635 pump couldn't clean a fish tank! I bought the 18'x48' size pool thinking this is the best invention since slice bread. But when I took that pump out of the box I was like, "Oh Sh#$!", This thing is tiny! It doesn't take an engineer to figure out pushing 4000+ gallons of water is going to take a little more than this piece of crap. It doesn't clean nothing! No water circulation at all! I went to a pool supply store and the guy was super helpful, he showed me a replacement pump I could buy for $250 that would do the trick nicely. They had it hooked up in the store and it was working a much larger pool and turning into a whirlpool! I figure invest a little more money and at least get a working pool out of it. You have to figure, that's how Intex sells these things so cheap. The pump/filter system is just as important as the pool itself.

Just another piece of ### from China. What do you expect. sacrifice good quality control for cheap labor. Good old American businesses. We bought one Intex Easy set pool three years ago. first season it bursts. We decided it was because of the shifting of the pool. Ok. benefit of the doubt. We invest in a larger one. Next summer filter does not work we call Intex (no easy task) and they send us a bigger and better filter for free. Great we think. I redistribute and level the existing sand base. Alright, we decide to leave it up for the winter, we winterize it and two weeks into November the rope tie in the cover dry rots and breaks leaving us with a useless tarp that blows off every time a little wind churns up. Oh well just a little more time spent cleaning it up next spring.

Here we go April, May ,June ,July. Aug time in Houston Texas... HOT ! Cant wait to come home and jump in that pool.School starts early in Texas. Wife gets up for School. We both teach, It rained last night the porch is flooded, she tells me, Ok storms are heavy along the coast, I look out after she leaves and guess what,no rain, Just one very flat F#@k%ng piece of useless hunk of vinyl Chinese crap. No more I'm done, anyone out there same experiences Let me know.

"F**K INTEX CORP". Try getting an answer from them, Good Luck Oh You say its my fault for leaving it up in Winter, Intex:Warning do not leave up in less than 40 degree weather, Give me a break It's TEXAS not N. Dakota I intend on rolling mine up in a big ball and pouring gas all over it and lighting it on fire. Than I am going to get incredibly drunk on beer and piss the fire out. There take that Big Bulls76t American Business Bast...ds and your frickin cronie Commie Little Pr=2ks. Buy American ..oops I cant. Will the last American company off to China and parts far east please turn out the lights.. Oh spit "Stick A Fork in Me...

..I'm Done" and so is the USA. First train to Mars and I am out of here. I'll save you a seat.

Rick Sitler - nicely said! Really enjoied reading your Story :)))

Although I do understand the frutration.
I also bought the 18' X 48".
The product is good to look at. THE filter is not the right size for this amount of water.

I believe that so much customer service is aimed at what we accept. I purchased this from Wal-Mart in Callaway, FL.

So I not only hold INTEX responsible I also hold Wal-Mart responsible. They choose to do business outside the USA--UNLIKE when Sam was alive.

Pump 635 is incorrect size and they knew what they were selling.

I no longer shop at Wal-mart or will I ever buy another Intex pool.

I tride to call Intex for almost three months.

I am no l0nger angry I just choose where I shop better.

Intex has nothing to say because they knew these issue ahead of time.

Well, I got my Intex 520 pool pump from Good will. I only paid $5. So I aint complaining. But it is interesting to see these comments as I also notice that I get the bum steer when trying to get a little motor part for it.

Some small black switch part of the motor burned up inside. I never had it running yet, but was hoping to replace that part. Looks like might be for changing from starting voltage to running.

I got one of those cheapy above ground pools too. Bought that at local flea market for $40. Came with small pump like they all do. I know that sucks and when I seen this large 520 model I thought I was in buisness.

I think if I can find manufacture of motor, I will try to get part from there instead. You know generic.

Anybody got any information. Please let me know.
RJ

We also bought the 18 x 48 ft pool. We got it in and intex sent us the and after getting everything ready for set up, we realized Intex sent us the wrong liner. We called Intex and they told us to cut up the incorrect liner and send back pieces of it to them and they would send out the correct liner. We did so. ABOUT A MONTH later, we get the correct liner only to get set to install it and notice all the tubing sent to us with the pool is cracked and unusable. We once again contact Intex, (as several others have said... NOT AN EASY TASK!) We finally get the tubing about another month later... Keep in mind, we are in New Hampshire. By now we are heading into fall/winter. So we are unable to set up the pool till the warmer weather comes, much to our disappointment. So in comes spring of 2007. We decide its mid may, we are safe to get things started. We get everything together and start filling the pool only to find the liner is riddles with leaks all along the seams! Very angry and frustrated, we once again call Intex. The rep tells us, they have a 90 day policy and can't help us. We request a manager and are told we will receive a call within 48 hours... (SOUND FAMILIAR?). We actually get a callback! And the manager refuses to accept liability for the piece of crap! If it wasn't for their poor packaging and quality of product we would have set it up last summer and realized we needed to send it back. But by the time we received it, the weather was too cold. THE MANAGER ACTUALLY SAID... AND I QUOTE, "IT WAS ONE OF YOUR OPTIONS TO SET UP THE POOL IN WINTER!" So my husband says, you are actually telling me I should have set the pool up in winter? The manager says, he wouldn't suggest it but it was an option! What nerve this guy has! I felt like jumping through the phone line and strangling the wise ###! Long story short... INTEX IS A HORRIBLE COMPANY, SELLS FAULTY PRODUCTS AND HAS VIRTUALLY NO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ALL THE REPS ARE ROBOTS REPEATING THE SAME BULL CRAP! We are going to make a complaint with the California Better Business Bureau and have contacted a lawyer. It may only be a couple hundred dollars but it is the fact of the matter. It angers me to no end that a company can run a business this way and get away with it! It is in a sense fraud and theft! FOR ALL THOSE CONTEMPLATING THE PURCHASE OF ONE OF THESE POOLS, FIND ANOTHER OPTION, THIS COMPANY IS NOT WORTH DEALING WITH AND IN TURN THEIR PRODUCTS ARE DANGEROUS AND FAULTY!

Bought the 18 x 48, pump makes a terrible noise, doesn't work, the top won't stay inflated, and it's leaking about 1/3 of it's water over a 24 hour period. We bought the pool on May 9th. Today is the 15th. I called Walmart, they said call Intex. I'm waiting to call their customer service department... But I'll be d@mned if I am going to pay for any shipping to return their defective product. I'll dump the whole d@mn thing in the Walmart parking lot. I had to pay someone $100 to put it together, it costs $100 to fill it with water, and I paid $297 plus tax for it. All together, it has cost me $600 because I've had to completely fill it TWICE already and it's only been 6 days. I seriously want my money back... I can only recover HALF of what I've spent and it's not near enough to cover the frustration! I have 20 minutes before their customer service office opens. I'll update this story when I figure out what is going to happen.

Intex said... "Did you buy the pool from us?" I said, I bought it at Walmart. He said, "Well, you called the wrong number, you need to call Walmart." I called Walmart and they said bring the pool and your receipt back. The pool WONT fit back in the box no matter HOW HARD WE TRY! Either way, we've recovered only $300 of our $600 screw up with this pool.

Fyi... Intex is now recalling the ladders that go along with these pools. They have had nearly 200 complaints and injuries filed! Something is seriously wrong with this company and its products!

We too bought the Intex pool with the 635 pump. It made horrible sounds and died within a month. It's a shame the pumps are not stable and the filters are hard to find. The size of the pool is nice and I like being able to take it down at the end of the year.

I'm going to go buy one of the itty bitty 8 footers today (it's on sale...and I only want it to last maybe three years for my little ones)... but it's good to know not to waste my money on the larger ones when the kids outgrow this one.

I'll just save the money and buy a real pool. Thanks!

OMG, I am so glad I found this site... I thought we were alone in our problems with INTEX pools. We have the 18 x 48 and our pump never worked right. I called and was told to send it back and it would be replaced...when I called back for the exact address I was was told no I would have to purchase a new one... we did and it still is not enough to pump all the water... The water is hard to keep clear... we have tried everything. If you have any hints or clues please e-mail me... I live in Alabama and its hot here, we want to swim so bad but worry about the water being clean enough because of the not so good pump. Oh yea and today I was changing the filter and the damn handle broke off, when I looked up the replacement 129.00... (on top of the 89.00 plus tax for the pump last mo)... WONDERFUL!

Could someone tell me how this god damn rope is supposed to be secured. I have tried intex, but an answer out of them one way or the other takes an act of congress and a priests blessing. Any help would be appreciated. I can't figure out if the rope was cut or there is a crimp connector that is missing.

Yep. Whole heartedly agree with all the complaints here. We bought the 18x48' pool last week. The pump is clearly pathetic. It started out functioning very poorly and ended up doing absolutely nothing within 30 minutes. Turned out a few strands of glass had blocked the inlet filter
in spite of using the skimmer. I cleared that and it kind of worked again for another 30 minutes. The pump sounds horrible and is clearly not strong enough to cope with 5000 gallons. Now I don't know if mine is faulty given the sound it makes but looking at the comments above my experience is identical.

Try getting through to intex support, impossible. I get a message saying that id's get cut of after half an hour. I didn't even make it that far, each time I called I'd get about 1.5 minutes into the message and get cut of.

I completely agree with Rick Sitler. It's yet another example of more ### from China. Here's a thought America. Start making stuff here again! Sure it may cost as much as 20% more to make but who cares, charge me 30% more for the product. I'll be more than happy to pay the extra.

You know why...

A) Someone American will be employed to make it.
B) There's just a chance that it won't be a piece of s**t.
C) Because American's will be employed, Americans will have some money in their pockets and maybe just maybe they'll commission me to do their photography for them cos they aren't all broke! And then I'll be able to pay someone American to build me a real frigging pool!

We've been through 2 intex pools because we had more bills than income and it was a great alternative to nothing which was what we had before. With the first pool it took us about 5 minutes to realize the pump doesn't have enough power to clean the water, we tried everything and finally a friend gave us his used sand filter and wow what a difference. That was the easy set pool and I will NEVER own another of those, my daughter went flying right over the side.

We got the metal frame 18x52 and got the same size pump. We never even used it, we used the sand filter and pump from the gitgo and sold that 1 on ebay. We had to replace the sand filter 1/2 way through the year and we again went with a sand filter, it's works a ton better than intex stuff. We just bought a used real pool because I was unwilling to waste more money on another intex. We will be able to used our sand filter we bought last year. The downside is that it is a lot harder to set up than the intex. Good luck everyone!

I purchased an 18x52 Intex Metal Frame pool from Costco in late April. It's now the first of June and after leveling we are ready to put the pool up.

Turns out the plastic spring pins that fit in the metal tubes are missing.

I have to get a new printout of my receipt from Costco and fax it to Intex.

It took me 4 hours to get through to them on the phone. The catch with Intex is that they use this sneaky phone system. You hear a "Menu" but it's really not connected so the call is dropped.

Your phone reads the call as a "ring" but you hear the Intex menu which is simply a ruse.

I knew something was wrong when after 33 (3) minute calls to Intex, my cell phone carrier said I had used ZERO minutes yesterday. Hmmm.

If you call the 800# on your cell phone, watch the phone LCD screen. Intex message plays but your phone shows that the call is still being attempting and "dialing" even though you think the call is successful. It is not until you hear a click and the menu voices change completely.

Touche, Intex.

I spent $440 with taxes on this pool and it's just sitting flat at the bottom on my yard because some doof forgot to put the $.80 worth of plastic clips in the box.

For today I am neutral only BECAUSE Sams Club (affiliated with Walmart) had the intext metal frame pools for $270. I should have read this site first. It is still in the box and I have the receipt - if my printer was working I'd copy all the complaints and send them to Sams Club.

I'm wondering now if I should just take it back. What brand metal frame pool would someone please recommend? I noticed by the picture the pump looked as small as the aqua leisure 3 ft x 12 I had - but I fig'd they knew what they were doing. I got an Aqua Leisure 3.5 x l8 and the pump with it is great - it has turn off/on valves hooked right to the pool and is BIG and cleans good. I knew my pool was not completely level last summer - and I still winterized it so this summer - almost immediately the glue at the seams that was stressed on the HARD DIRT / ROCK came loose - thats why I bought this one.

I need the t-bar for the intex pool. I went on the website and it is out of stock. I spent $700 on this stupid thing last year, and now I can not use it. The wind blew my pool over bending and cracking the t-bar on the legs. I do not know where to go to over parts other than the intex website or the 1-800 number. It is hard getting through on the phone, as they hang up on you. Also the representatives are not friendly. Why would they be out of stock on something that they just made last year? I am thinking about welding my own parts and putting the damn thing back up. We should all get together and sue them.

I just stumbled onto this site and I guess I'm glad I did! Thank you all for your time & honesty-bothering to write these reviews! We bought one of the small round Intex pools 4 years ago. A 12'x36" I think; from our local Wal-Mart. We've used it 3 summers and actually got a good bit of fun out of it. But from the word "go" the pump was WAY undersized and the filtering system was pathetic. In addition, the filters our model required were difficult to find. This meant an awful lot of chemicals, maintenance and cleaning...takes a good chunk of the "fun" out of things. Anyway, our son is now bigger and older and so we planned on getting one of the big models...a 12'x28'x52". I was actually ready to place the order today until I read all of your comments. Man, this is frustrating! Our child has some special needs and swimming has been a source of joy to him. He's been thrilled at the prospect of a new pool he could actually swim in-our small round one is really only good for cooling off and splash-ing around in. With resources that have a limit, the $1000.00 or so we were prepared to shell out is a big chunk of money to us. We can certainly manage it for a decent product. But we can't afford to simply throw it away-hoping we might get lucky and manage to get a pool that functioned properly. You all have probably been sick with frustration, anger and disappointment. I'm so sorry for all you've put up with and gone through. This company's approach is unconscionable... they need a real sting of a wake-up call. How do people manage to allow themselves such disgraceful behavior? And apparently a hefty dose of arrogance! Well, for what it's worth, your comments have persuaded me to keep looking for a pool-elsewhere. I've no interest in supporting this company or being used by them if this is how they conduct themselves. And just think-for every one of you who took the time to warn the rest of us... there's probably hundreds who experienced the same sort of treatment but never wrote about it here. I thank you all for steering me clear of Intex. Maybe someone should collect all these reviews and send them to whoever runs the company. They could use them to calculate how quickly they'll be run out of business! When word gets out about such a reputation-watch out! Your stories have just cost them my $1000.00 sale... and many more will shortly be lost if they do not rectify the difficulties of people like you. Anybody have suggestions of where else to find a DECENT product of this kind? Wishing you all get some response.

I have the 18' bladder pool. And although I agree that Intex pools are inferior, you get what you pay for. How can you compare a 18' "real" pool for over $3000.00 versus an intex pool for $300.00? No comparison.

I love the concept of my pool because it easy setup and no commitment. I can easily take it down at any time and fill in the spot where it is. With other pools there is a lot of prep work.

However, I do not agree that intex knowingly sells filters that aren't adequate to the gallons they are require to be filtered. Yes, you are best to go and buy a "real" cartridge filter such as a hayward and replace their tiny one that comes with their pools. It will save time (from frustration) and money consumed in electric bills when you have to leave your pump on 24 hours a day to get it clean.

BTW: Cartridge filters are more efficient then sand filters.

I am representing an international water park and was investigating with intent of placing a large order with Intex. After reading these complaints, no way! Thank you for this service.

Another Intex problem. I found the plastic clips at $1.99/box at Lowes. $20 gone down the tubes because I am too impatient to deal with Intex and their crappy service.

Pool set up in June and the pump starts doing this sputtering and "revving" thing. We have a filthy pool with a useless telescopic pole connected to a useless vacuum because the pump decided to die.

Less than 65 days of usage(many not used at all) and the pump calls it quits.
This many complaints is not normal IMO. 2,000 hours is the lifespan of the intex pump for my 18x52 Intex Metal Frame Pool.

I'm lucky to have gotten 20% of that.

Got the 16x32 ft 52 rectangular intex pool, pump worked good for a week, added a salt generator, and the whole thing started flowing, the floor sweeper barely moves on the bottom now that its added, going to sand and bigger pump next season. Too bad its 100 + degrees in sept in so cal right now. Nice pool, doesn't have to be on 100% flat surface.

Has anyone out there bought Costco's Model [protected] 27' Above Ground Polymer Frame Pool Kit Includes Pool, Cover, Filter, 1hp Motor, Skimmer, Installation Video, and Maintenance Guide $2,699.99 Item # 175853 Shipping & Handling included. If you have I would like to hear your comments. I'm thinking of buying it from Costco and want to make the right choice. I had an exisitng pool so the layout is all set. Thanks in advance.

We bought the 18x 42" and had about 2 summers of great use.. then the same problem every else has.. the pump sounds like it is on its last leg.. the unit gets clogged with everything.. I called Intex to get replacement parts that were "sold out" on their web site. I was told to wait awhile and check back.. did and have been doing and big shock no parts.. we have one side of the pool that always folds over and loses half of the water.. looking to replace it this year but it won't be with an Intex!

bought this pool last year and noticed the filter was not up to par...thought I had done something wrong...called and got the same kind of response...they care only when you are buying...most all places are getting like that nowdays...and they wonder why people are not spending their money...

I am on my second intex also, the first one was a frameless easy set that air began leaking on the inflatable ring wherer it meets the pool and wouldn't stay inflated. The one I have now is a 10x30 metal frame pool. I needed to order new plastic pins as the old ones went MIA. It would cost over $40 to replace these as intex charges over a dollar for each pin and that or more for the little rubber seals that attach to them. the freakin pool only cost $100. You can't tell me those pins comprise almost half the cost of the pool. I would pay that much for the liner but not the pins.

I too bought the Intex above ground pool and the Intex 635 pool filter stopped working after two months. I will never buy Intex products again.

I agree with everyone about the pump being a piece of ###. It truly is. I bought the 24x48 metal-framed pool last summer and we had high winds here this fall. Well, my pool frame got bent on the horizontal bars and guess what? Yep...out of stock on the parts that I need. Cannot call and get a real person with any kinds of answers. NOR can you contact by email. WTF is wrong with these people? Are they just making their fortune and getting the hell outta dodge? This sucks...I paid 800 dollars for this monstrosity in my back yard that is USELESS. Intex sucks!

http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=28000056

Click the link to read BBB report

i bought a pool from walmart today could not fill because pool leaks and will not feel

i bought this pool last may 2007 filled the pool ready to hook up the pump it would not work so we called intex after that and they sent me a new one by the time i got it we had to take it down then this year put it back up with the new pump ran for 2 weeks then it stopped working so i called intex and they said since its been 90 days since i bought it that i would have to buy a new one so i agree not to ever buy an intex product because i lost over $800 for everything i had to do and as of now we still cant use it had someone look at it and on both pumps it was the small shaft had broken inside

We bought an intex 15x4ft metal frame pool from Walmart. The first one the seam let loose after being half full with 2000 gallons of water. Walmart stood behind it and replaced the liner. We followed the directions to the letter, but after filling this one up, I found the filter pump leaked. Walmart again stood behind it. I get the new filter and everything was fine until the legs on the pool started sinking! NOWHERE in the instructions does it say to put concrete blocks under the legs. We prepared the site, it was level and it was not on sand because they said NO SAND! The entire pool was full with over 4000 gallons of water started to shift, and the metal frame started to buckle. IT IS LEVEL but the frame can not support the liner at 80% full like is says it can. When the legs sink the entire pool is compromised. Also the outlet for the filter pump does not stay under the water for what ever reason when attached to the pump the weight of the water in the hose pulls it up and you have a waterfall effect. The plugs that they provide so that you can change your filter DO NOT FIT THE HOLES! I contacted Intex and their attitude was OH WELL! DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT! The ladder is also a safety hazard. Even when tightened as far as it can be it wiggles and someone could get hurt. Here I sit with over 6000 gallons of water wasted and they will not stand behind their product. If it were not for walmart I would stuck with this pool and have more than just the water cost wasted. SHAME ON INTEX!

can someone tell me how worried I should be that my pool is going to give out from under us? It just dosen't seem sturdy. I purchased a 15'x48" metal frame Intex

hmmm I've owned my 18' x 48" Intex pool, purchased from Walmart, for going on 4 years now! It is the metal frame one, wouldn't even look at the blowup ring one, looks like a big giant blue water balloon and we all know what water balloons do, they pop!

Anyways, yes, I wholly agree about the pumps they have with the pool sets. They are very inadequate for the pool sizes. I upgraded the following year to a larger pump model. We got alot of enjoyment out of the pool and here in Texas, the winters aren't bad and I didn't even cover the pool. Just floated a chlorine tab in it once in awhile to keep it from turning green on me, which isn't a real problem when it's cold out.

This year, I purchased an Intex pump, I forget the model number, but it pumps 4, 000 GPH. It is awesome! Has lots of pressure to it, it just churns the water where the inlet is. For an affordable pool, it's ok. I've not had problems with the liner at all but upgrading to a stronger pump is the answer. Although we SHOULDN'T have to do this, that's all that really needs to be done. I also bought a different ladder since I have a deck around my pool. The Intex ladder is out in the lower 40! :)

Since I can't afford thousands of dollars for those metal wall pools with sand filter, etc, this one seems to be holding up just fine. Night swimming in Texas is awesome, specially when there's a full moon!

Ms Willie M.
Copperas Cove, TX

My complaint is different. Our pool filter has tiny white mite looking bugs in it. does anyone else have this problem an d know what it is?

Agreeing with these postings is an understatement. We purchased an 18x48 aprx 2 weeks ago. Spent a week & a couple hundred bucks on sand/soil to level the ground. Set the pool up & after about a foot of water noticed water on the ground. Husband noticed the seal on the bottom was leaking so we emptied the pool & I emailed Intex about the manufacturer defect. Remained calm as I've been in retail 18 yrs & know these things sometimes happen. They state you get a response within 2 business days, well after 4 days of waiting I called Walmart & asked if I could just exchange it. Needless to say we releveled the ground again after dragging the 1st POS pool off & set the second up. Well what were the odds that the 2nd pool HAD A LEAK TOO ? I live in Georgia under a drought level 4 water ban and while they allow us to fill a pool 1 time we pay a hefty surcharge for going over our average useage. In the meantime those ###s at Intex finally emailed me back (after my 2nd email) to fax them the receipt & they'll send me another seal ? DON"T THEY KNOW THEIR OWN PRODUCTS ? I'm not even bothering to explain to these idiots there's NO seal to send me on the SEAM of the pool where they both were leaking from. Had I seen this site before the puchase I'd have chosen another pool made by another company. We wasted alot of time & money on this & after the 2nd pool dries overnite we're taking it back to Walmart for a refund. We're out 300.00 on sand/soil, 2 weeks of time, about 2, 000+ gallons of water to pay for and nothing to show for it. At this point I'll sweat before ever purchasing another thing from Intex and any other big item from Walmart again. Whatever happened to well made products & good customer service ? My answer...corporate greed...