Water pump leak

[dick_james]

Engine bilge has been wet for some time and I have been searching for the leak on and off. Discovered on Sunday a drip, drip, drip from the indirect water pump only when the engine is running (Jabsco on the front of a perkins 4-108). Unfortunately I am about to embark on a major (for me anyway) trip along trhe south coast. The question is, is this something I can live with and fix at my leisure or can it turn into a cascade at any moment?

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[AIDY]

Ours has just started dripping too on our Volvo Penta, just bought a service repair kit for it this morning.

You might find this webpage helpful in your quest for parts.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jabscoshop.co.uk/> jabscoshop </A> use the spare parts wizard on the left hand side

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[petersto]

Just a thought on my Jabsco sea water pump there is a purpose built hole to warn you if the seals are gone on the shaft drive from the engine. They are easy to replace apparently.

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[sjohn_gibson]

Not sure of about the arrangment of your water pump set up. The one on my boat comprises 2 components - pump and bearing housing. Pump seal replacement is straight forward. In my case, the salt water had migrated across to the bearings and they were heavily corroded. It required heat, press and suitable mandrel ( correct size bar) to get the bearings out + a fair amount off swearing.

In answer to your question, you could live with a leak but beware that the salt water leak will cause corrosion - in addition to the bearings I replaced the front engine mount, immediately underneath the pump, because of the corrosion caused by the salt water leak.



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[TheCount]

Re: Sods Law

I have found that the one thing that you are suspicious about usually fails just at the least convenient time!!. Get it fixed, then you can enjoy the trip. It may last for years but Sod's Law.......

<hr width=100% size=1>Still, what do I Know??

 

[Talbot]

<<+ a fair amount off swearing>>

tsk tsk you will have Kim after you /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[mdrifter]

As mentioned elsewhere the drip could be from "telltales" from which water or oil might drip...if water then replace asap before it works through the other seal and into the oil...replace both seals and get spares and do a check every time the engine runs.

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[Avocet]

Your local "Bearing Services" (BSL in the book I think) will have replacement seals quite cheap. I did mine recently. Make sure you order a seal with a stainless spring in it rather than the usual carbon steel springs.

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[Rick]

My experience is that earlier model Jabsco pumps required the shaft to be removed to replace the water seal, however later model units allow replacement in place.

To check, remove cover and impellor, and check to see if you can see both the inner and outer sections of the seal - if yes, then flick it out with sharp instrument, and visit local bearing shop for a replacement.

I always replace the spring with a rubber o-ring as even SS springs seem to fail.

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[howardclark]

Had exactly the same problem when I took over my boat - Jabsco raw water pump on front of engine dripping when sea-cock open. I was moving the boat on a 3 day journey with no wind so I did panic a little.
Outcome was the shaft had worn and couldn't be saved - ended up buying a new pump ( amost same cost as refurbishment) and keeping the old one as an emergency spare. My drip was from the shaft - I suspect it had been like that for a long time and wasn't going to deteriorate quickly. The earlier comment re salt water is perhaps the most pertinent - if it's running down your engine fix it now before it does damage

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[dick_james]

Thanks for all the input, I guess I'd better do it for peace of mind - sod's law as one of you said.

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