Volvo 2030 raw water pump leak

[StevenJMorgan]

My raw water pump on my 2030 is leaking and I'm 99% sure that it is leaking ( a slow drip) from the shaft area and not the impellor cover or the hose connectors. It doesn't seem to leak when the engine is running - only when it is stopped. Does anyone know if these pumps can be refurbed or should it join the volvo retirment place in the sky (along with many other parts) if it can be rebuilt, can I buy a kit or is it a job for a specialist? Thanks.

 

[branko]

Yes you can repair it. I did it last summer. There are 2 semerings inside and 2 bearings. Probably you will have change bearings too.This work have to be done in workshop.

 

[Stemar]

There are two seals separated by a weep hole, which is most likely where your water is coming from. It's not a particularly difficult job, but I wouldn't fancy it without a vice. Download the workshop manual from here.

The weep hole protects the bearings from sea water, but don't ignore this or the shaft can corrode where the seal touches it and you need to be sitting down when Volvo tells you the price of a new shaft! Standard seals from a seal supplier are a helluva lot cheaper than chez Volvo too, but specify that they're for use in sea water or you'll get mild steel rather than stainless.

If you want someone to do it for you at a sensible price in the Solent area, PM me and I'll give you a number.

 

[alan]

Your symptoms seem to point to a rubber seal on the pump shaft - easy and cheap to replace.This seems to be quite a common problem with "Volvo" raw water pumps, and is usually just caused by a small rubber seal, which has a steel spring to keep it closed on the shaft, becoming worn.
I'm not sure which type of pump that you have; I have an MD2020 which could have either a Jabsco or a Johnson pump fitted. Mine has a Johnson pump and here's how I cured my leak:

At the pump end of the shaft and behind the impellor there is a rubber seal which prevents water from the impeller housing finding its way along the shaft and into the engine; behind the pump and on the engine end of the shaft there is a rubber seal which prevents oil from the engine leaking out along the shaft; in the middle of the shaft housing there is a hole which lets water or oil drip out into the bilge when one of the seal's are worn.

I had a water drip from behind the pump housing like you describe, and I actually dismounted my pump from the engine (not too easy for access) before finding out that it was only the seal behind the impeller and actually you can replace these without dismounting the pump!!!

Last week, I did the same thing on a friend's boat, but without dismounting the pump!! Just take off the pump cover, remove the impeller, and you will see a rubber seal 'embedded' in the pump body around the shaft. Very carefully and without scratching the shaft surface ease out the seal : I used a small screwdriver very carefully to ease the seal away from the pump body and then gripped the seal with some small long-nosed pliers. Smear the shaft with some non-water-soluble grease and insert a new seal (cost here in Italy €4) push it all the way into the receptacle in the pump body with a blunt instrument (I used an adjustable wrench with the jaws open the appropriate amount). Some people put some gasket glue on the outer edge of the seal to hold it firm in the pump body, I don't think it is necessary and will make it a bit more difficult to get it out when it starts leaking the next time.

Of course it could be a worn shaft, worn pump body or worse ............ but I think its likely that it is only the rubber seal.

If you need any information on either Jabsco or Johnson pumps (I dont know if yours is the samthough) then I can dig it ouit for you.

Good luck,
Alan.

 

[StevenJMorgan]

Thanks all! Alan your fix sounds like just the ticket. Will try the easiest first and if it doesn't work I will delve deeper! Have been quoted 200 sterling for a new pump so I'll be trying all the cheaper fixes first!

 

[jerryat]

Just another tip to add to Alan's excellent description.

Unless you can ensure that the little spring ring that is fitted in the seal is stainless steel (and most aren't!) it's well worth following a tip given to me many moons ago by the supplier of my seals.

Remove the spring from the new seal and replace it with a same sized 'O' ring. This will never rust and will outlive the seal itself. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Furthermore, and something I learned (before I sensibly started carrying spare seals while away cruising) is to carry a couple of 'O' rings a size smaller. If your shaft has/does wear excessively, or you are caught away from home and it leaks through normal wear, fitting the smaller 'O' ring will hold the seal perfectly against the shaft and eliminate the leak. The seal can then be replaced at your 'leisure'! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Incidentally, we buy our seals six at a time from ordinary bearings suppliers at a tiny fraction of the price of the 'proper marine' ones. As we never fit them with changing the spring as above, they serve well, even in the French canals where we are often motoring through liquid mud!!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[alan]

Thanks for the tip, Jerry. Good idea, as I have noted that the spring whenever I have changed a seal is rusty!!

Alan.