How to Replace a Pitco Solstice Fryer Pump Motor Assembly

So customers can filter and maintain their equipment, they need functioning parts. So if you’ve completed diagnostics and deemed a component inoperable, you’ll need to make a swap. To prevent oil leaking and other possible catastrophes, it’s important for a tech to ensure the installation is done properly. Otherwise, you might get called back by unhappy customers. This guide will help walk you through how to replace a Pitco Solstice fryer pump motor assembly so you can get the unit up and running again.

Supplies

• OEM pump motor assembly
• Crescent wrench 
• 5/16 nutdriver 

Removing the Pitco Fryer Pump Motor

Before making a repair on a fryer, always ensure the unit is fully powered down, cooled off and the fryer oil is safely drained from the tank. 

• Step 1. Remove the drain pan – Open the fryer cabinet doors to begin sliding the drain pan out from underneath the unit. As you pull it out, you’ll need to slightly lift the drain up to fully remove the pan. Then the cover can be pulled out as well.
• Step 2. Remove the pump inlet tube – Use a crescent wrench to loosen the pump inlet tube. Once the pipe is loose, you can take it out.
• Step 3. Disconnect the pump motor hose – Use a crescent wrench to loosen the fitting from the hose connected to the pump motor. Then the hose can be disconnected.
  • Note: Keep a bucket under the hose in case any oil drips out.
• Step 4. Remove the bracket – There is a bracket securing the two pins that hold the pump motor. To remove that bracket, loosen the screw securing it with a 5/16 nutdriver. The bracket can then just be pulled straight down
• Step 5. Unmount the pump motor – With one hand under the pump motor assembly to lower it, slide out the two pins that mount it in the unit.
  • Note: The assembly can be heavy so be careful when lowering it to avoid squishing fingers and hands.
• Step 6. Disconnect the power – At the back of the unit, unplug the motor from the power supply.
  • Note: Don’t mix up this cable with the one that connects the power supply to the wall.
• Step 7. Remove the motor – You can now slide the pump motor out from under the unit. When you purchase them, you often purchase them as a full assembly with the bracket assembled. If you purchase just one component, you may have to remove a pump or motor from the assembly and remount everything as needed. 

Installing the Pitco Fryer Pump Motor

• Step 1. Position the pump motor assembly – Slide the assembly into place before connecting and remounting. 
• Step 2. Reconnect power – Plug the black power cable from the pump motor to the power supply.
• Step 3. Remount the pump motor – Lift the pump motor into place and secure it by sliding the two pins into place. Make sure the pins go all the way through the holes on the back end. 
• Step 4. Secure the pins – Put the bracket back over the pins and secure it by tightening the screw with a 5/16 nutdriver.
• Step 5. Reinstall the pipe inlet tube – Put some high-temperature, food-safe putty on the tube. Then tighten it into place by hand. Once it’s hand tight, you can use a crescent wrench to finish tightening it. 
• Step 6. Connect the hose – Connect the pump motor hose to the fitting and tighten it. Start by hand tightening it and then use a crescent wrench to finish it.
  • Note: Always check for leaks from hoses and tubes you have connected before finishing the job.