Sea Water Pump

[Don Peterson]

I am looking for some advice on a Universal Diesel Model 18, after changing my sea water pump(sherwood type)and reseating pump housing, I now have a substantial leak from the bottom of pump housing (looks like a weep hole) with engine running, One person says change it, the other says not to worry about. I see nothing in manual about a drip being normal. Any advice appreciated, Thanks Don

 

[Rodney Kidd]

Damaged Seal

Don,Sounds like the shaft lip seals were somehow damaged when the pump was re-seated. I have and Oberdorfer style pump and had the same problem. I was able to purchase a pump rebuild kit which included the shaft seals. The rebuild cured the leak completely.Rodney KiddC-38 #297, Flying Bear

 

[Joe Luciano]

Seal problem

Rodney's right. You've got a seal problem. I have the Oberdorfer pump also and there are two shaft seals. They can be difficult to remove, you may need to press them out. Clean up your shaft with emery cloth, making sure it isn't pitted where it contacts the seals. Reason for not letting it drip is that it won't get any better. The salt water will get on other engine parts and accelerate corrosion (like on the motor mount right behind it). It's not a difficult job. Good luck!

 

[Don]

Same engine, same problem.

If it didn't leak prior to removing it, the water seal may have just come out of its seat. You have a water seal on the pump side of the weep hole, and an oil seal on the engine side. If you look in the weep hole and see the seal, that is what has happened. You can rebuild a Sherwood, but the parts are about 1/2 the price of a new pump. The seals are difficult to remove without special tools. I replaced mine with a new Oberdorfer for $160. I think the Oberdorfer is a better made pump, at least it is easier to work on. Good luck.

 

[Jim]

Did you find all your impeller blades?

I just replaced mine because it was leaking like you described and found that an impeller blade that had broken off was stuck in a right angle fitting. The back pressure caused the seawater to blow past the water seal.