Slow leak from water pump - How serious?

[wakeup]

Just got my boat out of the water and seems like my antifoul is good for another 6 months to a year.

Bad news is I've got a slow leak from the water pump, i'm told its probably the seals and will probably last another year but I am concerned that it may need sorting now. Anyone got any experience of leaky water pumps on a Merc 5.0 and any views on what will need checking??

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[WayneS]

No experience on that type but we had ours start to leak last year. It is unlikely that it will sink the boat but our problem was that the leak was hitting the belt which caused the water to spray up onto the alternator. That was terminal for the alternator so we had no choice but to replace it.

Good luck

Wayne

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[wakeup]

Thats interesting, I was trying to work out how there was water staining on the inside of the engine cover up high away from the bilge, no eveidence at tick over so I think you've answered another of my queries.

Thanks



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[tr7v8]

Is this Raw Water? Guessing it's the engine mounted bronze case Jabsco type pump then it'll leak from 1 of 2 places, either the shaft or the pipes. The shaft seal is either a rubber lip seal or a carbon face type seal either can be replaced fairly easily. Normally worth doing bearings and impeller at the same time. If it's from a hose connection then it's a question of finding out why hose or jubilee clip.
If i'ts the main circulation pump then it wll be a question of changing it.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://ebasicpower.american-data.net>http://ebasicpower.american-data.net</A> shows pretty pictures which wil help.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[wakeup]

Thanks Jim, I'll investigate further this evening, it is as you rightly guessed raw water.

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[roger]

The usual system is to have two seals between the water in the pump and the engine interior. Theres a bleed hole in the waterpump between the two. When the second seal goes you get water in the engine - bad news - so as already advised replace both seals.

<hr width=100% size=1>Roger

 

[tgalea]

I just had mine done. It's not much of a big deal. Check the bearings while you're at it too.

If the oil-side seal is worn as much as the water-side one you risk taking in water into the engine.

Definitely get it organised if you can. As i said it's not such a big deal.

I heard that on the merc installation it's important you bleed the pump well because for some reason they could create air locks.

Hope this helps!
Tyrone.


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[vyv_cox]

It's also worth checking that there is no shaft wear at the point of contact with the seal. Otherwise fitting a new seal(s) will not solve it.

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