Really Weird Noise Coming From Filter Pump!

[Carp4U]

Okay, in my 15 gallon I have an AquaVital AVI600 internal filter which I've had for a couple of months. In the past month or so I've been abruptly awoken in the night by a very unusual high-pitched, squealing-like revving sound from the filter. Sometimes, it does so for a few seconds, others I've had to get up and unplug it to stop it. It's a really awful unusual noise. Today, it was making a similar noise it short, lower-pitched 'revs' which sounded like an old car starting and stopping if you know whatta' mean. I've given the sponges a clean and tried to clean the inside of the unit as much as I can through the intake. It tends to stop when it's been off for a few hours then starts a day later.

Anybody know what this and how I can stop it, I'm going on holiday, and my mum is looking after my tanks so she will get impatient if she keeps getting woken up and she'll leave it off all the time and kill my fishies!

 

[walkers101]

what substrate do you have also could any fish get into the filter

take the filter apart and have a look at the prop see if its hard to turn etc

 

[Carp4U]

what substrate do you have also could any fish get into the filter

take the filter apart and have a look at the prop see if its hard to turn etc

Substrate is just fine/medium smooth pebbles. The filter is suspended near the surface too, not near the substrate.
No fish have got into the filter.
Will try and see if it's hard to turn tomorrow morning.
Thanks

 

[walkers101]

the reason i said to check the prop if its old they tend to stick which wears the motor which in turn makes some nasty noises could also be the bearings in the motor/prop