Sea Water Pump Leaks

[Nauti-Duck]

The sea water pump on my Westerbeke 30B leaks. While the engine was running I saw, with the aid of a mirror, that the leak was coming from mid-pump. Is there packing or a bushing that could be worn? Since it's gear driven, will the shaft remain in place when removing the pump housing?

 

[Bob Clark]

bad seal?

I bet your water pump has a seal on its drive shaft. I bet the seal is leaking, letting water past it, leaking out a weep hole so you can see it. My Yanmar had just this same arrangement. Go to the dealer and look at his parts manual. I bet there is an $8 seal you can buy. You pry the old seal out and carefully shove the new seal in around the shaft. Don't be afraid to grease it with vaseline. The drive shaft probably remains in the pump. After all the impeller is attached to it. Get a new seal (and any other seals they sell, while you're at it). Then it will work fine.

 

[Gordon Torresen]

Pump seals

There are two seals in the pump. One keeps oil in the engine and the other keeps the water in the pump. Unfortunately you must destroy the oil seal to replace the water seal. They are the same seal and must be installed back to back. You get everything in your hands when you take the pump off, shaft and all.