Water Pump Shaft Leak

[Erik]

After sitting for a couple of months while finding time to work on my engine, I finally replaced the thermostat housing, replaced the thermostat, replaced all hoses, and replaced impeller and gasket. After putting everything back together and starting/testing I seem to have sprung a leak in the water pump system.

Just forward of the grease cup there is a slot on the top and bottom where you can see a stainles steel shaft. I don't know whether that is the actual shaft attached to the impeller, or if it is what that shaft fits into (sleeve). Anyway, it appears that the leak is coming from that slot. What should I do to make that leak stop? It just drips slowly, but, of course, will cause rust on the engine.

Also, what is the grease cup for? Should grease be added periodically? And how much?

[Don Moyer]

Erik,

The leak from your water pump is no doubt from a defective shaft seal. As long as the shaft has not developed a significant wobble, replacing the seal should take care of the leak. However, I would recommend replacing the shaft as well, if it has any sign of scouring.

The grease cup is provided to grease the shaft. Fill the cup with any good general purpose grease from your local auto parts store that lists marine applications (like boat trailer wheel bearings) on the can.

Don

[Erik]

Don,

Thanks. Where can I get a water pump shaft seal? And just as importantly, a diagram of what this looks like, how it is replaced?

Erik

[Don Moyer]

Erik,

If you have an Oberdorfer 202M series pump (the only pump with a square back plate held on by 4 machine screws), you'll find any part you'll need in our online catalog at moyermarine.com. I'm attaching a copy of our general instructions for repairing flexible impeller water pumps.

If you have any other brand of pump (Sherwood or Jabsco), you can call DEPCO at 1 (800) 445-1656 for parts support.

Don

[Erik]

After looking at your on-line parts, it appears that I have an Oberdorfer water pump N202M7. Are the seals the same for both pumps that you have?

Erik

[Don Moyer]

Eric,

The seals used in the Oberdorfer 202/201 series pumps as well as the MMI flange pumps are the same.

Don

[garryhargreaves]

confused about the use of the grease cup... should this be filled and 'turned in' periodically? thanks, garry

[hanleyclifford]

Yes, about 1/4 turn at each use should do it.

[garryhargreaves]

thanks... I would not have thought it would need to be done so often and clearly.... I have not been doing so. :-|

[Maurice]

Hi Garry,

Hanley is right. When I go aboard the boat I have a system. (almost daily)

- First I pull the bilge board and see if there is any water (you never know).
- Then I remove the step and check the engine oil, position of my by-valve, and give the grease cap a slight turn. (FYI - I have 38 hours on my engine this year and refilled the grease cap twice so far). I keep a small tub of axle grease on the boat. I also have one on the rudder post and I turn it about once a week on average.
- Then I turn on my power
- Then turn on the auto-pilot.
- Then into the cockpit and prepare...sailcover off, halyards to mainsail, furler line and sheets ready to deploy.
- Then I fire up the engine and check guages...after about a minute I start letting go the dock-lines and off the dock.
- Sails up and engine off.
- Leave the shifter handle in forward position (I freewheel the prop only racing which isn't very often)

>>>>>- Once a week I check my rigging and pins. If I have sailed in a blow I check all stays and pins prior to setting out next time.

On the way home.
- I take down the main with the jib still flying as I approach the club. (boat is still underway)
- Tie down main-sail
- put mainsail cover on,
- tie up main sheet and secure halyard back on spinnaker ring... tighten everything up for neighbours on the docks don't need smacking halyards.
- when close to club I'll furl the jib and secure the sheets and furler line.
- Start motor and into dock.
- Secure the boat...I have 10 lines that secure the boat. It blew 50 kts last night and I knew I didn't have to check my boat.

When the boat comes into the dock she is already put away. I am one of the "go to" guys at the club and there were times I helped someone out, interrupted etc, and didn't look after my own stuff first. Therefore, I developed a system...it's the small things that come back to haunt you. That's my routine. Once you know your boat and have a system it's easy to avert problems.

All the best.

[gary gerber]

I agree with the procedures used by Maurice with one exception, on returning to port under sail I restart my engine to be sure everything is stable PRIOR to lowering any sails, once the engine is steady then the genoa first, then under slow forward engine power into the wind to drop the main.

Back in New England where I was in a deep water harbor over the years I had to sail into my slip on two occasions, now that I'm down in the Chesapeake Bay that option isn't open to me. No engine... I was towed in !

[tenders]

- Secure the boat...I have 10 lines that secure the boat. It blew 50 kts last night and I knew I didn't have to check my boat.

Of course you didn't. You were still down there, tying the boat down from last weekend's sail.

[Maurice]

Tender,Not really there long at all....all lines on dock and either over cleats or clips on toerail. Our "dangerous" wind and fetch come in on my Stb Quarter / Stern. Three springs in place that bring up at the same time. The actual stern lines rarely have any tension on them in a storm...no corkscrewing at the dock.

Pic taken Aug 3, 2010

we get a blow once in a while.... watch the masts on the boats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAlqEX5jqnk

[garryhargreaves]

I guess emptying and dismantling my entire main lazarette and impaling myself on the corner of the battery box while squeezing by contorted upside down sideways is one impediment to turning the grease cap every time to the boat. Same for checking the oil! Not understating the importance... however, some of these boat designers are off with the fairies. There is zero attention given to accessibility and ease of regular maintenance. :-|

[ndutton]

Ain't boat ownership grand?

BTW, Moyer offers a great dipstick extension kit.

[roadnsky]

Ain't boat ownership grand?

BTW, Moyer offers a great dipstick extension kit.

AND a Water Pump WITHOUT a Grease Cup! ;)

[tenders]

Tender,Not really there long at all....all lines on dock and either over cleats or clips on toerail. Our "dangerous" wind and fetch come in on my Stb Quarter / Stern. Three springs in place that bring up at the same time. The actual stern lines rarely have any tension on them in a storm...no corkscrewing at the dock.


Shucks, I was just giving you a hard time. That's a proper yacht made properly fast. We get 50 knot winds once a season around here, and it causes damage from drifting boats every time...I shudder to think about what 70+ knots would do.