Engine raw water pump not priming
- Thread starter Lucky Duck
- Start date
Halo
Well-Known Member
I think you got that bit correct.
..............and people call me a smart alec
jwilson
Well-Known Member
Just after liftout I run the engine ashore for maybe 20-30 seconds with the strainer lid off, pouring fresh water in from a watering can. Then as that finishes put through a few pints of antifreeze mixture - when that stops coming out the exhaust turn off the engine for the winter. So it's not still primed with last years' seawater.
My Vetus stranier certainly doesn't have a pipe going to within 20mm of the top, the inlet pipe (I'll look on Saturday) only just goes in to the strainer basket base. I'm going to check which way it's plumbed, but either way the water gets strained.
pvb
Well-Known Member
Have a look and report back.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
I suddenly has a problem with the pump not priming & could only get it to prime by heeling the boat to get the deck awash & then starting the engine. I had already tried pouring water in through the strainer but being SH & near sand banks it was difficult to experiment.
It is a Johnson pump on a Volvo MD2020 with saildrive.
I later found the problem to be a very slightly (& I mean slightly) worn pump cover.
I solved it temporarily by cleaning the paint off the face of the cover & reversing it.
Rather than buy a new one at silly Volvo prices I used a piece of brass plate (£ 4-50 enough for 2) & drilled it & fitted it. It does not have to be the shape of the standard cover as the holes are all drilled to a circle & the plate can be a circle as well. I cut it out with a hole cutter with the central drill bit removed.
One day I will machine a groove in the other piece of brass fit a seal & make my own speed seal
It is a Johnson pump on a Volvo MD2020 with saildrive.
I later found the problem to be a very slightly (& I mean slightly) worn pump cover.
I solved it temporarily by cleaning the paint off the face of the cover & reversing it.
Rather than buy a new one at silly Volvo prices I used a piece of brass plate (£ 4-50 enough for 2) & drilled it & fitted it. It does not have to be the shape of the standard cover as the holes are all drilled to a circle & the plate can be a circle as well. I cut it out with a hole cutter with the central drill bit removed.
One day I will machine a groove in the other piece of brass fit a seal & make my own speed seal
Graham_Wright
Well-Known Member
My inlet hose collapsed as I had forgotten to open the sea valve (solution in hand, inhibitor switch). I replaced it with Screwfix suction hose - £17 for 7 metres 1" diameter.
The Jabsco was dry with just the supplied grease inside.
It self primed lifting around a metre from sea level.
The Jabsco was dry with just the supplied grease inside.
It self primed lifting around a metre from sea level.
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I did the same on mine for my ancient VP MD1 (or rather my pal did it for me)groove cut on a lathe and O ring off eBay. Main problem was ascertaining the thread of the screws but I think we had to re tap the holes so metric thumbscrews could be used.as far as strainer is concerned, if memory serves, it has in and out arrows and it's important to get them the right way so it stays full and doesn't have to be re primed every time.
Tedra
New Member
I saw these posts and whilst over a year old I was hoping someone could confirm my own thought process on an issue I have found?
I have a Beneteau 393 with a Volvo Penta D2-55 Engine. She has been on the hard for 2 weeks whilst we did the antifoul, new anodes etc.
Dropped her in the water yesterday and a few minutes after launch we noticed no water coming out of the exhaust.
Luckily we are only a few berths along from the launch point and moored up quickly enough. Just means this weekend could be scuppered if it turns into unscheduled maintenance!
Question is this (before I go changin impeller etc and follow the checks listed in this forum) - the seacock was left open during the period from lift to on the hard and then to launch. I take it we should have 'primed' the water pump etc first as the first leg would have been dry?
thoughts? (and many thanks)
TEDRA
I have a Beneteau 393 with a Volvo Penta D2-55 Engine. She has been on the hard for 2 weeks whilst we did the antifoul, new anodes etc.
Dropped her in the water yesterday and a few minutes after launch we noticed no water coming out of the exhaust.
Luckily we are only a few berths along from the launch point and moored up quickly enough. Just means this weekend could be scuppered if it turns into unscheduled maintenance!
Question is this (before I go changin impeller etc and follow the checks listed in this forum) - the seacock was left open during the period from lift to on the hard and then to launch. I take it we should have 'primed' the water pump etc first as the first leg would have been dry?
thoughts? (and many thanks)
TEDRA
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Prime it and it'll be fine.
RichardS
N/A
Yes .... my impellers usually will not self-prime after being lifted out with the seacocks open. Simply pour a few hundred mls of water into the outer cage of the seawater strainer, assuming you have one, and the pump will prime when you restart the engine,
Richard
Tedra
New Member
thanks Richard. If that doesnt work I'll check out the impeller in case its gone kaput
Tedra
New Member
and of course thanks NormanS - think i'll check all seals as well