Volvo md2010 sea water pump weird removal problem!

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chrisbitz

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18 Sep 2012
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Bromley, Kent - Sail in Medway
www.freyacat.co.uk
I noticed at the weekend that my water pump had a slight drip drip from behind the impeller housing... It's not serious, and I think it's an oring problem, rather than a leaking gasket....

So I went to take it off, and couldn't work out how to get to it! There are 4 bolts, the two on the left are normal nuts and bolts, but the two on the right are bolts only, screwing into a threaded hole on the water pump, with the bolt head behind.

They seem to be so obstructed by the engine, I can only turn the bottom one 1/10th turn each go, and I can't even get to the top one with my finger! Do I have to remove the sump or something to get the water pump off or am I just missing something really stupid? :-)
 
I had the 2020 and if I remember correctly I removed the complete pump from the engine and dissasembled it on the workbench. Can't remember how it comes off the engine......... but I don't think it was a problem.(assuming the 2020 is the same as the 2010)
 
Got mine off my 2020 with one of these http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/10-way-flexi-driver to undo the bolts that are round the back.
Not guaranteed to work on the 2010 as perhaps the engine mount metalwork is different. But it might.
If it's a seawater drip that you have, it's almost certainly a worn shaft seal in the impeller chamber. Depending on access you may be able to change it without removing the pump. I'm sure there are plenty of references on here about those seals.
 
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Hi Chrisbitz I can't do a link on the ipad but there is a good thread about it, I face exactly the same problem as you, it's been like that for a while. You may need to cut and shut spanners or sockets, to be able to get a turn, let us know how you get on. BTW mine has been dripping for a year, I just arranged a bit of plastic bottle to direct the drips towards the bilge sump.
I looked at mine and the shaft seals in question can't be done from the front impeller side. Once you have the pump off, you need to pull the gear off the shaft, with heat and a puller, any little engineering shop, a couple of quid. Then you can pull the shaft and see if you need a new one from Volvo for £98 million euros, might be cheaper to get one turned on a lathe?
That is as far as I have got on the subject anyway, cheers Jerry
 
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Water is leaking from the pump chamber because the seals need replacing , can you hook them out from the pump chamber without removing pump I think they are cheap to replace.
 
parbuckle said:
Water is leaking from the pump chamber because the seals need replacing , can you hook them out from the pump chamber without removing pump I think they are cheap to replace.
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+1 as I had to replace them on my MD2020B. I googled for a bearing supplier & found one local to me in Ilford. But I found it easier to block up the sump and first removed the L/hand engine mounting. Then able to access the back of the housing. The bearing supplier also was able to provide the seals too. Hope this is of help.
 
Allergy said:
+1 as I had to replace them on my MD2020B. I googled for a bearing supplier & found one local to me in Ilford. But I found it easier to block up the sump and first removed the L/hand engine mounting. Then able to access the back of the housing. The bearing supplier also was able to provide the seals too. Hope this is of help.
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That sounds promising, would you be able to remember the bearing and seal numbers and the supplier? Thanks
 
Thanks very much Jerrytug and others for confirming that I'm not going mad, in this instance anyway...

I've left a message with my local marine services place just to see how much they charge, in case it's cheaper to pay a couple of hours to save me a weekend's scraped knuckles and back ache!

I'll update when they get back to me.
 
The ones from Keypart are fine - great supplier, I use them all the time.
But beware buying these seals elsewhere. Some have springs in them made from mild steel so you can guess how long they last.
Incidentally, in my experience the occasional drip from the back of the pump may lull you into a false sense of security! Mine dripped for several months then suddenly let go completely.
 
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chrisbitz said:
I heard back form the mechanic - he thought about £100ish to come to my pontoon, take it off and replace the rubber seals, assuming that was all it needed...

Which sounds fair to me, compared to skinning my knuckles for a whole day!
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Methinks he has not done one before - or he has a very low hourly rate. As others have said removing the back bolt is a very time consuming job.
 
Had same problem on Md2020. Simon from Syvota on Lefkas changed the seal from the front without taking off the pump. Had a awl with twisted corkscrew end and after removing impeller pulled out seal. Apparently two small self-tappers screwed into seal then gripped with two sets of pliers may also do the trick. Carefully cleaned the shaft, refitted a new seal and has not dripped for two seasons and many hours. The seal on engine side seldom goes as it seals engine oil rather than salt water. Whole job took 30 mins.
 
chrisbitz said:
I heard back form the mechanic - he thought about £100ish to come to my pontoon, take it off and replace the rubber seals, assuming that was all it needed...

Which sounds fair to me, compared to skinning my knuckles for a whole day!
Click to expand...
If you are going to get it done, and planning to keep the boat for a while, why not get the shaft, bearings and seals done whilst the pump is out? Not much more in the terms of labour and one less thing to worry about...
 
Tranona said:
Methinks he has not done one before - or he has a very low hourly rate. As others have said removing the back bolt is a very time consuming job.
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I'm pretty sure he knew exactly what he was saying, as during the chat, he told me about the two right hand bolts being impossible to get to , and how he jacked up the engine and removed the stbd engine mount!

So fingers crossed, I've found a reasonable marine mechanic! :-)
 
chrisbitz said:
I'm pretty sure he knew exactly what he was saying, as during the chat, he told me about the two right hand bolts being impossible to get to , and how he jacked up the engine and removed the stbd engine mount!

So fingers crossed, I've found a reasonable marine mechanic! :-)
Click to expand...

Sounds good! Hope it works out.
 
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