I have a manual bilge pump on my 1979 Oday 23. It is a Whale Gusher 8 Mk III, and I think it is original to the boat. Recently, the diaphragm split. After some research, I found out that although Whale no longer sells this model pump, a replacement diaphragm is available. The issue is that I can replace the old pump entirely with a new Whale Urchin (the only pump I can find that will fit in the space available) for only a few dollars (literally) more than the cost of the replacement diaphragm. Is it better to completely replace with new or fix old? I am unfamiliar with the insides of these things; are there other parts in there that are likely to fail or that are probably worn to the point that they are working less than optimally? Are the old pumps better made than the new and therefore worth fixing? Enquiring minds need to know. Thanks.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
If the Whale Urchin is a smaller pump than
the Whale Gusher...it'll move less water per stroke at a time when you may need all the pump you can get! Check the specs for both, and if the Gusher moves considerably more water, I'd rebuild it.
the Whale Gusher...it'll move less water per stroke at a time when you may need all the pump you can get! Check the specs for both, and if the Gusher moves considerably more water, I'd rebuild it.
V
Vic
i rebuilt a gusher last year .... just be sure
when you take it apart that you keep all the parts in order ... only problem with mine was the diaphram as well. I had to put it together a couple of times with the valves backward and the halfs misoriented but you just keep taking it apart and reassembling it till you get it right ... and hey 20 years from now when you need to do it again ... you'll remember how to do it right. Vic "Seven"
when you take it apart that you keep all the parts in order ... only problem with mine was the diaphram as well. I had to put it together a couple of times with the valves backward and the halfs misoriented but you just keep taking it apart and reassembling it till you get it right ... and hey 20 years from now when you need to do it again ... you'll remember how to do it right. Vic "Seven"
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Dale I
Watch for corrosion on valve seats of metal units
I stuck my Gusher inlet into a water bucket and was surprised to find it did not work. Upon disassembly I discovered the rubber flappers to be somewhat stiff from age and needing replacement....but then found too much corrosion in the cast metal seats to assure a good seal anyway. I guess the salt water had taken its toll... I also replaced the take-up foot in the bilge and found that the new one came with what amounted to a rubber joker valve and would likely enhance the priming of any hand pump. Unfortunately, the larger plastic replacement unit had a new hole pattern creating either some patching or dummy screws to fill the holes. The stock mounting screws that came with the new pump were too short to accomodate the wall thickness and not finding any fine thread, metric, stainless screws long enough to work I dug out my 1/4x20 tap and re-tapped the holes.... You have to be careful not to over torque the bolts and strip out the holes when you do that. This kind of story makes the rebuild of the old one more attractive if its not too far gone... The only reason that I changed pumps was to get away from the metal housing.
I stuck my Gusher inlet into a water bucket and was surprised to find it did not work. Upon disassembly I discovered the rubber flappers to be somewhat stiff from age and needing replacement....but then found too much corrosion in the cast metal seats to assure a good seal anyway. I guess the salt water had taken its toll... I also replaced the take-up foot in the bilge and found that the new one came with what amounted to a rubber joker valve and would likely enhance the priming of any hand pump. Unfortunately, the larger plastic replacement unit had a new hole pattern creating either some patching or dummy screws to fill the holes. The stock mounting screws that came with the new pump were too short to accomodate the wall thickness and not finding any fine thread, metric, stainless screws long enough to work I dug out my 1/4x20 tap and re-tapped the holes.... You have to be careful not to over torque the bolts and strip out the holes when you do that. This kind of story makes the rebuild of the old one more attractive if its not too far gone... The only reason that I changed pumps was to get away from the metal housing.
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Harvey
Repair parts
Where did you find parts for this pump? My 79 Catalina 30 has the same pump with the same problems. Any response will help!!!
Where did you find parts for this pump? My 79 Catalina 30 has the same pump with the same problems. Any response will help!!!
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Vic
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Mike
Harvey, here are the part numbers...
The service kit for the Gusher 8 is Whale part number SK8813. West Marine has it on their website; the West Marine part number is 320242. I think its $29.99. Before I figuired out that replacement parts were available, I bought a new Whale Urchin. The Urchin is virtually the same size as the Gusher 8. With a $15 off coupon, the new Urchin cost me $34 at my local BoatUS. I'm guessing that with tax and shipping, the service pack will cost more than the new pump. Whale had no specs on the performance of the Gusher 8 (so I could compare the two as Peggy advised), but their advice to me was to go with the Urchin. They said it had a more advanced design that allowed it to start and hold a prime more easily than the Gusher 8.
The service kit for the Gusher 8 is Whale part number SK8813. West Marine has it on their website; the West Marine part number is 320242. I think its $29.99. Before I figuired out that replacement parts were available, I bought a new Whale Urchin. The Urchin is virtually the same size as the Gusher 8. With a $15 off coupon, the new Urchin cost me $34 at my local BoatUS. I'm guessing that with tax and shipping, the service pack will cost more than the new pump. Whale had no specs on the performance of the Gusher 8 (so I could compare the two as Peggy advised), but their advice to me was to go with the Urchin. They said it had a more advanced design that allowed it to start and hold a prime more easily than the Gusher 8.
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Mike
Harvey, if your still out there...
I replaced the old Gusher with the Urchin this weekend. I must say, the Urchin simply works better. It sucked up the last bit of water in the bilge when the Gusher was unable. It turned out to be easier and cheaper to replace the pump.
I replaced the old Gusher with the Urchin this weekend. I must say, the Urchin simply works better. It sucked up the last bit of water in the bilge when the Gusher was unable. It turned out to be easier and cheaper to replace the pump.
H
Harvey
Thanks!
Thanks for the follow-up. I will probably go with a new pump for the price difference. Is the bolt pattern close to the same ?
Thanks for the follow-up. I will probably go with a new pump for the price difference. Is the bolt pattern close to the same ?
M
Mike
The Urchin is very close in size...
but the bolt pattern is different enough that you will only be able to use one of your old bolt holes. I just drilled four new holes. Also, you will need new nuts and bolts. The Gusher needed very long bolts because they mounted through the main body of the pump. The Urchin has four short feet.
but the bolt pattern is different enough that you will only be able to use one of your old bolt holes. I just drilled four new holes. Also, you will need new nuts and bolts. The Gusher needed very long bolts because they mounted through the main body of the pump. The Urchin has four short feet.
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