Beta 25 water pump fail or my poor heat exchanger reassembly?

[TwoFish]

Interesting. I've recently learned my way around the Beta cooling system, including a couple of very helpful calls with Beta. I hadn't appreciated the potential issue with the cover plate though. However I did have a good chat with them about spares that a prudent chap might carry, and consequently went wild and blew £16 on a spare impeller cover plate. I now feel less of a reckless spendthrift . I also bought a set of impeller plate screws, as those little buggers will obviously head for the bilges at the first sign of trouble.

 

[FairweatherDave]

I just googled the price of a new pump. £240 ish. Wow. Coverplate bargain!

 

[LittleSister]

Update. Mission accomplished, we have flow.
I replaced the O ring, used a bit of silicon grease on the impeller and reversed the cover plate. Kwik Decision and Adrian at Beta prompted that - I hadn't inspected the plate properly and it was scored. I didn't try the water intake from the strainer as I didn't want too many variables changed at once, but once the pump was primed I switched over and tried out that technique. My batteries are under the quarter berth in close proximity to the strainer/water intake so it is not the ideal place if my pouring were inaccurate - but it does have the potential to be a lot easier not switching the pipes over at winterizing time for flushing/adding anitfreeze. But the O ring did look somewhat flattened so cheers Neilf39! And thanks to everyone who ignored my paranoia on the heat exchanger and didn't suggest it sounded like a water pump failure (LS and Tranona). Hopefully launching a week tomorrow so that was big relief.

Glad you got it sorted out in the end.

 

[Tranona]

You can now get replacement covers similar to the Speedseal design that was popular until the owner gave up through ill health. If your engine is out of warranty (because the manufacturer may not like it) worth considering. Had Speedseals on my Yanmar 1GM and both my Volvos and will fit this new design to my Beta when it is out of warranty.
marineservicekits.co.uk/beta-speedi-pump-cover-kits-302-c.asp