Engine Raw Water Pump Replacement

[LadyInBed]

The bearing on mine failed recently, and I looked to replace the pump (19 yrs old) this coming winter rather than just carry on running with the original with a new bearing as the impeller cover plate is scored.

I was shocked at the price of these pumps
http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pumps/bronze-engine-cooling-pumps/
Mine (CW403) is £215.29+VAT (£258), some are around £800! they are bronze not gold and I bet they don't come with an impeller fitted, what makes them so expensive?

The bearing replacement on mine cost me €115 about £99 here in Vigo. I took it into a marine engineering workshop the other evening and it was done by 12:00 next day, well worth the money IMO. I am now considering making a new face plate unless anyone knows of a source to buy one.

 

[tillergirl]

http://www.speedseal.com/speedseal.html

Speedseal for the cover. Speedy and easy removal for impeller change plus a new cover.

 

[vyv_cox]

It is often possible to resurface the face plate using wet and dry papers on a piece of glass or some other flat surface. With some models it is possible to turn the plate over and use the other side, but not if it has stamped digits on it and sometimes the screw holes are offset.

 

[l'escargot]

Asap do covers for a lot of pumps: http://www.asap-supplies.com/search/pump+covers

I would recommend Speedseal as well though - bigger outlay but makes life a lot easier and if you go for "Life" version you have the reassurance of knowing if you run it dry you won't have to strip the pump down and deal with other problems. Seastart sell them: http://www.seastart.co.uk/online-shop/speedseal-covers/

 

[Bosun Higgs]

The bearing on mine failed recently, and I looked to replace the pump (19 yrs old) this coming winter rather than just carry on running with the original with a new bearing as the impeller cover plate is scored.

I was shocked at the price of these pumps
http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pumps/bronze-engine-cooling-pumps/
Mine (CW403) is £215.29+VAT (£258), some are around £800! they are bronze not gold and I bet they don't come with an impeller fitted, what makes them so expensive?

The bearing replacement on mine cost me €115 about £99 here in Vigo. I took it into a marine engineering workshop the other evening and it was done by 12:00 next day, well worth the money IMO. I am now considering making a new face plate unless anyone knows of a source to buy one.

And £99 wasnt cheap for that matter. The bearing would have been less than £10. As for the face plate cannot the existing one simply be reversed - thats what I have done with mine. Sure you might have to clean the paint off first but dont be put off by the name engraved into the surface - it isnt an issue in practise.

 

[LadyInBed]

And £99 wasnt cheap for that matter.

I was just grateful to get out of a hole and have a working pump where I didn't have to pump the bilge every 20 mins.

As for the face plate cannot the existing one simply be reversed - thats what I have done with mine. Sure you might have to clean the paint off first but dont be put off by the name engraved into the surface - it isnt an issue in practise.

I could try that, the part # and direction of rotation is stamped on but the stamping is probably not so deep as the scoring on the inside!
I think it was caused by having to go up and down a silty channel to my mooring.
I reckon I could make a new one (or two) as I have a sheet of 3mm brass at home.
Getting the plate off and on isn't an issue, it is easily accessible, so a speed seal isn't necessary.

 

[Adamastor]

If you have a scored cover on your pump, don't forget that the inside of the housing will be worn, too.
What you find on the coverplate will be mirrored on the back of the pump, so whatever you lap off the cover, you should be prepared to lap off the pump housing. I would also lap the thing flat again with waterpaper and a bit of float glass. Gives one the license to sit in contemplative silence and do something very worthwhile... Not a bad job at all, especially as brass/bronze is soft, but if you want to throw a hunned squids or more at the problem...

 

[charles_reed]

The bearing on mine failed recently, and I looked to replace the pump (19 yrs old) this coming winter rather than just carry on running with the original with a new bearing as the impeller cover plate is scored.

I was shocked at the price of these pumps
http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pumps/bronze-engine-cooling-pumps/
Mine (CW403) is £215.29+VAT (£258), some are around £800! they are bronze not gold and I bet they don't come with an impeller fitted, what makes them so expensive?

The bearing replacement on mine cost me €115 about £99 here in Vigo. I took it into a marine engineering workshop the other evening and it was done by 12:00 next day, well worth the money IMO. I am now considering making a new face plate unless anyone knows of a source to buy one.

As a get-you-home, just reverse the face-plate. For a longer lasting solution get it machined flat. Either way works a treat and saves lots.
I've found Johnson Pumps rather more satisfactory and with much cheaper parts than Jabsco (ITT Fluid Handling). Furthermore they seem to be becoming more widespread in use. I bought my spare raw-water pump for £109 from them direct in UK.
As already pointed out the inside, especially the shoe, will be worn and if you're going to do the job properly you need to have the whole thing machined internally. Unless you've all the workshop tools and are more competent than most you may find making your own an outsize challenge.