potential problem?

[DRRT]

I have a Rio 1700 powerhead that is the return from my sump to my tank.

I've been in college for the last 3-4 months, so I haven't been able to observe my tank. When I got back, the pump wasn't operating properly due to a lack of regular cleaning. I cleaned up all the junk and it was running seemingly perfectly. I cleaned up the pump on Tuesday and yesterday (Saturday), the noise from the pump increased. The flow from the pump doesn't seem to have changed, but like I said, it's noisier. The pump is at least 5 years old, I can't remember exactly how old. Its been in my tank for 4-5 months and was in my dad's tank for a year or two before that, and before that it was just a spare pump.

Is this a potential problem? Does this mean that I need a new pump?

Thanks

[Pufferpunk]

Maybe this will help?
http://www.riopump.net/Resources_folder ... shoot.html

[DRRT]

the only thing i see is that it is in contact with the side of the sump and vibrates with that, but it already was in contact with it and I don't really see how to reduce that.

[Pufferpunk]

None of those hints worked?

[DRRT]

i already took it apart and cleaned it up with vinegar. Great list, just, i already did them...