Rough surface on water pump shaft

[BabaYaga]

I have taken the raw water pump off my Beta engine for the first time, as the water seal was leaking. Examining the pump shaft, I find the part that has been exposed to sea water a bit rough and there is a patch of surface corrosion where the o-ring between the two seals has been sitting, as can be seen in this photo:

I am thinking of polishing the shaft up a bit, so that the new seals are not damaged when I install them. Can I safely do this? What would I use? Anything else to think about when reassembling?
I would be grateful for any advice.

The engine is a Beta 722 from 2005 that done circa 700 hours and the pump is a Jabsco, if that makes any difference.

 

[pvb]

I think the O-ring between the seals is only a "slinger", so corrosion there doesn't matter. If you're worried, new shafts are easily available from Jabscoshop.

 

[Yngmar]

I'd polish it up a bit and see how severe the wear under the seals is. Doesn't look severe in the photo, so probably it's fine. If not, and a replacement shaft is expensive, sleeving it is another option (search for "Speedi sleeve").

For polishing, just put it in a drill (or lathe if you have) and use some metal polish (e.g. Peek) on a rag. Should come up nice and shiny in no time. Doesn't look severe enough to need more serious treatment than that.

 

[RichardS]

I'd polish it up a bit and see how severe the wear under the seals is. Doesn't look severe in the photo, so probably it's fine. If not, and a replacement shaft is expensive, sleeving it is another option (search for "Speedi sleeve").

I don't understand where the photo is to be found?

Richard

 

[BabaYaga]

Thanks all, I'll try some metal polish.

Odd with the photo, anyone else who doesn't see it?

 

[RichardS]

Thanks all, I'll try some metal polish.

Odd with the photo, anyone else who doesn't see it?

This morning the photo has appeared. Most odd!

Richard

 

[Praxinoscope]

Seems to be a common problem, I re-built my pump last Winter using a replacement shaft, I thought about just replacing the seals but it looks as if once the wear has set in it eventually damages the seal. Polishing didn’t really seem an option as the corrosion appeared deeper than simple polishing would have cured.

 

[Plum]

I have taken the raw water pump off my Beta engine for the first time, as the water seal was leaking. Examining the pump shaft, I find the part that has been exposed to sea water a bit rough and there is a patch of surface corrosion where the o-ring between the two seals has been sitting, as can be seen in this photo:

I am thinking of polishing the shaft up a bit, so that the new seals are not damaged when I install them. Can I safely do this? What would I use? Anything else to think about when reassembling?
I would be grateful for any advice.

The engine is a Beta 722 from 2005 that done circa 700 hours and the pump is a Jabsco, if that makes any difference.

I guess it depends on whether you want the confidence of it lasting another 700 hours or risking the uncertainty of when it will next leak. If the shaft is not as good as new where the seal lip rubs the seal will leak sooner. I would replace the shaft.

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