raw water pump? replace or repair/

[chubby]

Vetus M4.17 engine about 13 years old 2400 hours and no longer current model, developed leak from raw water pump and engineer in Weymouth replaced seal but noticed wear on shaft with pitting.

View was that new seal might sit differently as slight change in design and wear against a new bit of shaft!

Duly replaced and yeah, no more leak!!!!

The pump is apparently jabasco painted vetus yellow but not in current catalogue.

So:
should I be pleased no more leak and forget about it?

get it looked at during next winter`s service?

get hold of replacement pump from vetus ,in stock, and keep it aboard in case of further trouble: any engineer could fit it in a few minutes but might not be easy to get hold of in far-flung places?

get hold of replacement and fit?

 

[RichardS]

If your pump is belt driven I would forget about it until it starts to leak again. New seals on an old shaft are often as good as new seals on a new shaft due to the different placement. However, I would probably do some research about what size speedisleeve it needs as that can be easily fitted anywhere and will, effectively, give you a new shaft. If it starts to leak again it's not a crisis and you have plenty of time to fit the speedi-sleeve.

if the pump is driven directly from the engine, I would be more circumspect as a seal failure can be much more serious for the engine as a whole. I'd still go for the speedi-sleeve but would fit it sooner rather than wait for evidence of a seal failure.

Richard

 

[geem]

The shafts are normally quite simply things. A local engineering shop made me a new one in 316 for about £30. Far cheaper than buying one from the manufacturer. The pumps themselves are very simple and easy to rebuild.

 

[CCJ]

This is the PBO section
So why not service this simple pump yourself & not take what ever your "engineer" tells you. Its a simple job & parts readily available. Did he replace the wear plate & cam whilst it was apart.
Also i reverse the front plate if the inside is worn by the impeller & get extended life from it, dont worry about the letters stamped into it, it will make no difference to it working & they will polish out in use

 

[pagoda]

Spedisleeves are great , but depending on the OD of your pump spindle it may or may not be above the minimum? 12mm?
New seals and bearings are not a problem. Just measure carefully. Get seals with SS garter springs and you will be sorted. I rebuilt my pump with components from https://www.lancashireseals.co.uk/

Fairly easy. If your shaft is badly scored- then get an engineering shop to make one for you (and replace seals & bearings) (or metal-sprayed/machined to tolerance?)
It will still cost less than a new /replacement.

 

[Momac]

Raw water pumps may wear a the back causing poor flow. possibly an issue where the water carries a lot of silt. A repair kit may be available to compensate for the wear.
such as this example
https://www.keypart.com/stock/21951396
If not and if you are concerned about future parts availability perhaps fit a new pump and keep the old pump as a spare.

 

[DJE]

Vetus M4.17 engine about 13 years old 2400 hours and no longer current model, developed leak from raw water pump and engineer in Weymouth replaced seal but noticed wear on shaft with pitting.

View was that new seal might sit differently as slight change in design and wear against a new bit of shaft!

Duly replaced and yeah, no more leak!!!!

The pump is apparently jabasco painted vetus yellow but not in current catalogue.

So:
should I be pleased no more leak and forget about it?

get it looked at during next winter`s service?

get hold of replacement pump from vetus ,in stock, and keep it aboard in case of further trouble: any engineer could fit it in a few minutes but might not be easy to get hold of in far-flung places?

get hold of replacement and fit?

Must be something in the water down our way. Just replaced the raw water pump on mine.

 

[Yngmar]

should I be pleased no more leak and forget about it?

Yep.

get hold of replacement pump from vetus ,in stock, and keep it aboard in case of further trouble: any engineer could fit it in a few minutes but might not be easy to get hold of in far-flung places?

If you do sail to far flung places, you should carry a spare pump and you must learn how to fit it yourself. In most cases this is not difficult.

 

[chubby]

Must be something in the water down our way. Just replaced the raw water pump on mine.

Did you replace rather than repair?

 

[DJE]

Did you replace rather than repair?

Yes. Took it to be refurbished and was advised that it was worn beyond repair. Very little time between our Bank Holiday jaunt to Cherbourg and leaving for a two-week cruise on Friday so needed a quick fix. To be fair it did have a very serious leak; it was probably all that motoring over the Bank Holiday that finished it off!

I don't know what yours is like but on my Volvo I only had to remove two hoses (put a cork in one to back up the seacock) and remove four bolts to get the pump off.

 

[chubby]

Yes. Took it to be refurbished and was advised that it was worn beyond repair. Very little time between our Bank Holiday jaunt to Cherbourg and leaving for a two-week cruise on Friday so needed a quick fix. To be fair it did have a very serious leak; it was probably all that motoring over the Bank Holiday that finished it off!

I don't know what yours is like but on my Volvo I only had to remove two hoses (put a cork in one to back up the seacock) and remove four bolts to get the pump off.

very similar: mine is two hose clips and four bolts with good access, when the chap in Weymouth replaced the seals said it was quite worn and a new seal might be temporary: he knew I was just visiting so not a long term customer so I believe him.

I have several trips planned with long one at the end of the month so will order a replacement: better than miss sailing or find yourself somewhere like Dielette where you cant get spares easily. have been before stuck in Plymouth waiting for spares!


perhaps it is the Fareham creek water!!!