I have a 1982 Catalina 27 with a 2004 rebuilt Atomic-4 inboard gas engine. I had the problem with my water pump few weeks ago. The water was not coming out. So I removed water pump impeller, found out that most rubber blades were broken. I slided impeller shaft out of pump housing and had the the broken impeller replaced. I reinstalled the cover plate with a new gasket. I restarted the engine and everything seems ok as I could see the cooling sea water coming out, but with white smoke (steam? or burned oil?). The engine temp seems ok as it was kept at 170C when the engine was idled. However, the engine temp was rapidly increased to above 200C when I tried to motor out the boat even within a very short time, but water was still coming out indicating the cooling water was running well (?). I checked the engine and saw a serious leaking at water pump as shown in the attached pic, but found no leaking around the cover plate. I was not able to "see" where is the leaking. I could "feel" the water dripping from the body of the water pump. Is there anyone who has knowledge about any possible location of the leaking? I once suspected the rusted grease cup? and how is the connection between the engine temp and the water leaking? And, what it could tell me with the white smoke coming out from the cooling water? Or, did I miss something when I reinstalled the water impeller?
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Were all the pieces of the old impeller accounted for? They may have travelled and could be blocking the flow.
Missing Broken Impller Pieces
I accounted .... I also suspected that some small blocken pieces left behind. How do I have them flushed out? But I assume it should be nothing to do with water leaking?
I accounted .... I also suspected that some small blocken pieces left behind. How do I have them flushed out? But I assume it should be nothing to do with water leaking?
I have a different water pump(diesel engine- Oberdoffer water pump) in my boat. Last year my water pump was leaking through the weep hole indicating it needed to be rebuilt. After looking into rebuilding vs replacing I replaced it with a new Oberdoffer pump and all went well. This season and every season I replace the impeller and gasket and relube the grease fitting. Also the salt water will eventually corrode the oil pan if you let it go a long time.
Seals
Inside the pump, where it goes into the engine, are metal rings called seals. They are leaking. The pump should be removed from the engine, and the choice you have is: new seals or new pump. The old seals needs to be pressed off and new ones pressed on if you decide not to get a new pump. Start by using PB Blaster on the nuts holding the pump onto the engine. You'll need two days or so of using this stuff to even start getting th nuts off. PB is way better than liquid wrench. Good luck. Stu
Inside the pump, where it goes into the engine, are metal rings called seals. They are leaking. The pump should be removed from the engine, and the choice you have is: new seals or new pump. The old seals needs to be pressed off and new ones pressed on if you decide not to get a new pump. Start by using PB Blaster on the nuts holding the pump onto the engine. You'll need two days or so of using this stuff to even start getting th nuts off. PB is way better than liquid wrench. Good luck. Stu
Good Suggestions
Thanks Stu and John, It seems that I better to buy a new Oberdoffer water pump? (I thought that replacing the water pump was part of my engine rebuilt services last year?) I expect to have a hard time to have the old pump removed due to the limited space in the engine room. Any tricks to do the job? Good luck to myself
Thanks Stu and John, It seems that I better to buy a new Oberdoffer water pump? (I thought that replacing the water pump was part of my engine rebuilt services last year?) I expect to have a hard time to have the old pump removed due to the limited space in the engine room. Any tricks to do the job? Good luck to myself
Comments from Don Moyer
You probably have two issues going on at the same time. The reason the engine is overheating is probably due to a piece of broken impeller blade getting stuck in one of the fittings within the cooling system. Good prospects include the 90 degree elbow on the discharge port of the pump, the diverter cap inside the "T" fitting in the center of the water jacket side plate or the fitting where the engine cooling water is introduced into the exhaust system. The diverter cap is particularly suspect, since a blockage in that area would account for your observation of normal flow of water out of the exhaust at the same time that the engine is overheating. Pieces of impeller blade can position themselves so that water will pass by quite normally at one time, and at other times they can flop over into a position that will block flow. In terms of the water leaking from the pump, I suggest that you get an inspection mirror at a local auto parts store so that you can see where the water is coming from. It seems clear that the water is coming from the pump, so there are only three logical places that it can leak: the seals, the gasket between the housing and the back plate or through a failed check valve in the grease cup assembly. Best regards, Don Moyer __________
You probably have two issues going on at the same time. The reason the engine is overheating is probably due to a piece of broken impeller blade getting stuck in one of the fittings within the cooling system. Good prospects include the 90 degree elbow on the discharge port of the pump, the diverter cap inside the "T" fitting in the center of the water jacket side plate or the fitting where the engine cooling water is introduced into the exhaust system. The diverter cap is particularly suspect, since a blockage in that area would account for your observation of normal flow of water out of the exhaust at the same time that the engine is overheating. Pieces of impeller blade can position themselves so that water will pass by quite normally at one time, and at other times they can flop over into a position that will block flow. In terms of the water leaking from the pump, I suggest that you get an inspection mirror at a local auto parts store so that you can see where the water is coming from. It seems clear that the water is coming from the pump, so there are only three logical places that it can leak: the seals, the gasket between the housing and the back plate or through a failed check valve in the grease cup assembly. Best regards, Don Moyer __________
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