Pump popping breaker.

[737Mech]

I have a Magnetek 8-177457-02 pump that is about 9 years old. It just started popping its internal breaker but not the one on the control panel. This internal breaker resets itself usually in less than 30 seconds. When I turn on the pump it runs for 2-3 seconds and then pops. By hand the impeller spins freely and I mean as good as new freely but for the 2-3 seconds the pump is on it does not spin at all. Any ideas? No odd noises from the pump in days prior, sounded perfect as well.

[Poconos]

Appears to be a shorted starting capacitor. Not familiar with that specific motor or pump but in general there are two windings, running and starting. The starting winding is usually in series with a capacitor and a centrifugal switch that kicks out this winding when the thing starts spinning. The starting winding pulls a high current and if it doesn't kick out then the internal thermal breaker will trip. That capacitor is pretty cheap to replace, maybe $20 tops at an electrical supply place. It is sometimes located under a cover on the side of the motor, sometimes behind the cover where the wires enter, and sometimes buried. Anyhow, that is the part to look for.
Hope this helps.
Al