Water pump leaking - Catalina 30 (universal M25)

Feb 1, 2024
17
Catalina 30 Seattle
Hi all: It's always something. Just installed a new starter and feel filter/water separator, yay! Now onto the water pump, when the engine is running it is dripping one drop per second. I have uploaded an image with an arrow showing exactly where the drips are coming from. I have a oberdorfer pump which I'm sure hasn't been replaced in decades. Any recommendations as to what might be the issue and what and were to get repayments, do we think I need to buy a new pump or just the kit - Water Pump Repair Kit Oberdorfer

Thank you, you guys are amazing!
 

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dmax

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Jul 29, 2018
1,164
Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Yes, get the rebuild kit, pretty easy to install. As you can see, the salt water is pretty corrosive, you should try to clean up the rust and treat it with rust converter and paint. There have been cases of the oil pan rusting through - not good.
 
Feb 10, 2004
4,102
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
I have rebuilt my Jabsco pump on both my Volvo diesel auxiliary and on my Westerbeke genset. It is an easy job if you are a bit mechanically talented and have common mechanic's tools.
You have a couple options.

First, you could buy a new pump and then rebuild your existing pump and keep it for a spare. A spare for a raw water pump is always a good idea.

Second, at the end of this season, you could remove the pump and send it to Depco in Florida and have them rebuild it. I have used them and they give good service.

Third, you could remove the pump and rebuilt it yourself using the rebuild kit. I notice that the rebuild kit does not include the bearings or a new shaft, so I would buy the kit and after removing the bearings, note the part number on the bearings and then purchase new ones separately. I would disassemble the pump before buying the rebuild kit. Examine the shaft, looking for grooves at the location where the seals ride. If you see grooves or scoring, the shaft will need to be replaced or a Speedi-Sleeve will need to be installed. You might be able to buy a different rebuild kit that includes the bearings and a shaft, but the price might be nearly the same as a new pump. Alternatively, Depco should be able to replace all of the worn parts, and the also sell new pumps too.
A Speedi-Sleeve is a low cost way to repair a worn shaft, and it will work on many pumps. SKF is one manufacturer of these sleeves. The sleeve is pressed onto the shaft covering the worn area. The sleeve is very thin allowing the same seals to be used. But bearings cannot be installed over the sleeve, so you need to examine exactly how the pump is assembled. Google "SKF Speedi-Sleeve" to find the size that is correct for your pump shaft. The following link is for my Volvo pump. SKF 99058 Multi-Purpose Repair Sleeve | FinditParts

Good luck.
 

RitSim

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Jan 29, 2018
457
Beneteau 411 Branford
A handy tool for removing the seals I saw
Seal Removal Tool.jpg
online. My water pump shaft had grooves from the seal lip and needed replacement. The weep hole i think you are seeing is a space between the pump side and the engine side to keep water leakage out of your engine
 
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Mar 6, 2008
1,311
Catalina 1999 C36 MKII #1787 Coyote Point Marina, CA.
I would recommend not running the engine and replacing the seals as soon as possible as the salt water may enter your engine oil and cause damage.
You can remove the raw water pump and easily replace the 2 seals. The kit comes with a new impeller.
Visit
After different ways of replacement methods, I found using steering wheel puller to remove and install was the best way.
Be sure to view the albums
Let us know how it went for you.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,008
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Here's how to for your oberdorfer pump:
Oberdorfer Pump Rebuild 101 - Mysteries of the Oberdorfer - Seal Replacement - REBUILDING A PUMP w/Flix [Link added to main page of C34 Tech wiki]

You may also be interested in this resource:
Engines 101 - The BIGGEST & BEST collection of M25 Series Universal Engine Information on the Internet, plus some M35, too :) This includes a link to the Critical Upgrades topic which has more engine information please read it too.

Diesel Engine - c34.org