Removal of coolant circulation pump on VP 2003: any tips, please?

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NealB

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Any tips, or inside information, about how to remove the circulation pump from my VP 2003 would be most welcome.

Presumably, it should just be a matter of removing the bolts and the pipework, then pulling forwards?

No need for a big club hammer, or any swearing?

Thanks for any thoughts.

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It is fairly straightforward from memory - I removed and serviced mine some years ago when the shaft bearings collapsed due to corrosion. The pain is the need to remove all the volvo-style connecting piping and then refit with all the required new end seals on each pipe. You will have to remove the alternator and the heat exchanger if I remember right.
 
I have to it as well since the bearing of the circulation pump are worn. Was it difficult to overhaul the pump? Got the service kit from P4e already.
 
West Coast said:
It is fairly straightforward from memory - I removed and serviced mine some years ago when the shaft bearings collapsed due to corrosion. The pain is the need to remove all the volvo-style connecting piping and then refit with all the required new end seals on each pipe. You will have to remove the alternator and the heat exchanger if I remember right.
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Thanks for those encouraging words .......
 
NealB said:
Thanks for those encouraging words .......
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A bit like a Chinese puzzle . If you are forcing pipes sideways you are not doing it correctly and may well have to remove what is connected at the other end of that pipe and then you will be free to just pull the pipes out of the water pump. Get a packet of the seals before you start.
 
MoodySabre said:
The one of my VP2003 needed to be fixed. The nuts were rock solid and rather than risk bolts shearing I took the cowards way out and got a mechanic to do it. It was not serviceable. In the scheme of things boats a replacement from Keypart wasn’t too much.
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I gave the bolts (and one nut) a good dose of penetrating oil before leaving yesterday.

This afternoon, all the bolts undid with a bit of tentative tightening then loosening.


Bilgediver said:
A bit like a Chinese puzzle . If you are forcing pipes sideways you are not doing it correctly and may well have to remove what is connected at the other end of that pipe and then you will be free to just pull the pipes out of the water pump. Get a packet of the seals before you start.
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Once all the bolts were out, all four hose connections also pulled out of the holes fairly easily.

Next job is to take it apart tomorrow: unless I wimp out and take it to my friendly local little machine shop.
 
Let me know how it continued. Pulley needs to be taken off and sealing and gaskets including shaft with attached bearing needs to be changed on my pump.
 
Just for info the price for a new pump is more than 1000 pounds....
I will try to get my pump repaired in two weeks. The boat is moored in Poland.
 
Well done removing the pump! I too used a refurb kit - but you need a decent press to remove/refit the pulley and the bearings from the housing. Mine failed while away cruising, managed to remove the pump and have a refurb kit sent overnight courier to Oban, thence by car to Tobermory. I spent a pleasant day in Tobermory with a local engineer who had a small workshop and crucially a decent press. Was up and running by the evening. I always used to keep a full set of the copper tube seals on board as part of essential engine spares kit!

As mentioned, replacement pumps are mad money, but refurbish should work fine
 
West Coast said:
Well done removing the pump! I too used a refurb kit - but you need a decent press to remove/refit the pulley and the bearings from the housing. Mine failed while away cruising, managed to remove the pump and have a refurb kit sent overnight courier to Oban, thence by car to Tobermory. I spent a pleasant day in Tobermory with a local engineer who had a small workshop and crucially a decent press. Was up and running by the evening. I always used to keep a full set of the copper tube seals on board as part of essential engine spares kit!

As mentioned, replacement pumps are mad money, but refurbish should work fine
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Thank you.

The nearest I've got to a press is a slightly large vice.

But we have got a really good, trustworthy and knowledgeable engineer, just round the corner. I'll take it round tomorrow (but haven't got any spares yet).
 
West Coast said:
I too used a refurb kit
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If it's not being too nosey ........Did you use the genuine VP kit (about £240) or the parts4 engines one (£50)?

West Coast said:
You will have to remove the alternator and the heat exchanger if I remember right.
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I managed to get mine off fairly easily without removing either the heat exchanger or the alternator. I did loosen the alternator to remove the 'fan' belt.
 
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Yes ...... exactly the same worry here .... mine is 1987.

I've ordered the service kit from parts4 engines, and I'll be taking the pump round to our wonderfully helpful engineer after lunch.
 
Frankklose said:
How is it going with the repair of the pump?
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If that's aimed at me ........ ?

I took the pump to our friendly local engineering shop on Monday.

The repair/ service kit arrived from Parts4 engines this afternoon, and I dropped that round to the engineer soon after.

Usually, he treats this sort of job as a leisurely 'filler' between bigger, higher priority, stuff, so I may not hear from him till the end of the week.

As soon as there's some news, I'll report back.
 
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My circulation pump was repariert this morning. I gave to the mechanic at 1700 and it was fixed in the morning. It was for him the second Vp200x pump on a single day....must be a common problem. He charged me 230 zloty which is about 45 pounds sterling. He is just outside the marina 300m. That is one thing which is nice here in Poland, 2 sailmaker, paint supply shops 2X, plus two chandler's pls Vp and Honda, Yanmar and a few other all on the same street within 500m
The attitude of the guys is very, good If the sail maker says he comes tomorrow at 11 he will be mostlikley a half hour early...wish they would have this attitude in Germany. I have not even once been ripped off in Poland.
The parts came from p4e in England. The Rubber sealing was worn out the bearing was still OK. The pump did not leak , but was shortly before it would start to leak. It hat some movement, it was possible to wiggle the shaft and felt like that the bearing was totally worn out....have been lucky to spot it early.
 
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