Watermota Sea Panther Seizure!

I knew they were complicated, never appreciated how so. No chain tensioner? At least its a duplex!
Should be no problem getting a CAV pump sorted.
Have you a local diesel centre, I don't know your location?
I'm on Merseyside so there should be someone locally who can look at this for me. Otherwise I don't mind sending it off. If you know anyone reliable who can service these things do tell! Thanks, Neil
 
I feel your pain and hope you find a solution to the pump repair/replacement. My Watermota died off Sardinia, so I sailed back to Spain engineless as the thought of paying summer prices in an Italian boatyard, one within easy reach that is, was heart stopping.
I stripped the engine eventually in a Spanish Marina. Don't let my hairy shipmate with the Spanner fool you, he was useless, and only any good at nicking the Marmarlade from the ship's stores...:LOL:



My problem was different to your diesel pump problem and I'm not an engineer so the explanation may sound iffy, but in my case I found the bearings on the main drive shaft of the pump were seriously worn and resulted in diesel leaking into the engine sump and insufficient fuel getting to the injectors for the engine to run on four cylinders. After my rebuild It would run for brief periods but only just. ..:D
After my engine rebuild in Torrevieja I sailed home saving the engine and only had to use it for berthing in Uk (Sussex) but had to go right out from Cape St Vincent nearly to the Azores for a fair wind.


My own experience in trying to source a new pump for a 1977 Watermota was long and unsuccessful eventually. Like many things, fittings and updates by the pump manufacturer had changed, this was 2008/9 when I hunted on the Internet for a new or recon pump. I found the Canal Boat folk very helpful as many of the older Narrow Boats had WaterMotas fitted apparently, but I never found a replacement for mine. I never went down the small Engineering Firm making new parts route and found a Yanmar went into the Nicholson without a major engine bed rebuild, so I took the easy way out.
I hope your problem is less troublesome...(y)
 
My Go To diesel guy is R Wilkinson Diesel Services Lt in Stockport. Not exactly local to you but I would trust them with anything.Worth a nip down the M62 and M56

R Wilkinson Diesel Service Ltd


Address: Ann St, Stockport SK5 7PP, United Kingdom




Hours:
Open ⋅ Closes 5 PM


Phone: +44 161 476 4645
Not too far at all Sam. thanks so much for the tip. I'll give them a ring.
 
I feel your pain and hope you find a solution to the pump repair/replacement. My Watermota died off Sardinia, so I sailed back to Spain engineless as the thought of paying summer prices in an Italian boatyard, one within easy reach that is, was heart stopping.
I stripped the engine eventually in a Spanish Marina. Don't let my hairy shipmate with the Spanner fool you, he was useless, and only any good at nicking the Marmarlade from the ship's stores...:LOL:



My problem was different to your diesel pump problem and I'm not an engineer so the explanation may sound iffy, but in my case I found the bearings on the main drive shaft of the pump were seriously worn and resulted in diesel leaking into the engine sump and insufficient fuel getting to the injectors for the engine to run on four cylinders. After my rebuild It would run for brief periods but only just. ..:D
After my engine rebuild in Torrevieja I sailed home saving the engine and only had to use it for berthing in Uk (Sussex) but had to go right out from Cape St Vincent nearly to the Azores for a fair wind.


My own experience in trying to source a new pump for a 1977 Watermota was long and unsuccessful eventually. Like many things, fittings and updates by the pump manufacturer had changed, this was 2008/9 when I hunted on the Internet for a new or recon pump. I found the Canal Boat folk very helpful as many of the older Narrow Boats had WaterMotas fitted apparently, but I never found a replacement for mine. I never went down the small Engineering Firm making new parts route and found a Yanmar went into the Nicholson without a major engine bed rebuild, so I took the easy way out.
I hope your problem is less troublesome...(y)
Thanks for this! I love the pictures, and my daughter will be especially pleased with the one of the hairy friend. The other beast of course is the rusty red one, though I do like your shiny rocker cover. Can you remember what mark engine it was?
I enjoyed reading your adventures with and without the Wtaermota, good luck with everything, Neil.
 
Hello Neil, I'm sorry I cannot remember the exact mark of that engine, the boat was a Nic 32 built in 1977 is about all I can say with certainty.
I needed to pacify my Granddaughter back in Uk as to why Gramps wasn't coming home exactly when promised, so the photos of my shipmate MacBear were for her benefit. :)
 
That's the engine, not me. My Sea Panther was quietly ticking over when it suddenly stopped. There was no bang or untoward noise at all. Plenty of fuel and cooling water and no smoke or steam. On checking though it has seized almost completely, with about 1/8 of a turn of the crankshaft still possible before it comes to a stop with a metallic clunk. I've stripped it down as far as removing the head, with no sign of any problem. The piston tops look good, as do the valves and injectors. I've removed the chain case, and the timing and water cooling chains are intact and seem fine. So at this point I'm going to lift the engine out. I guess that if I remove the sump and get access to the bottom end I'll definitely see what the issue is? Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions, perhaps from a similar experience?
Thanks to all, Neil
Have you considered the Sea Panther pump on ebay ?
Jim
 
Have you considered the Sea Panther pump on ebay ?
Jim
Hi Jim. If you mean the one with Basilboat, that's seized too! But thanks for the kindly heads-up .... I may still consider it if it's just gummed up. For my original to jam enough to stop a running engine means that god knows what damage has been done to the insides of the pump .... that's a lot of torque ....
 
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