Leak behind pulley on Raw Water Pump

[Jimmy Buoy]

Thanks Jimmy. Great link and brilliant idea. Why they don't just make these pumps out of SS in the first place is beyond me. I'm guessing they need them to fail so they can make $$ selling new ones. I'm going to replace both pump assemblies in the meantime since I want to get out this weekend and can't wait for parts (Friend has the new pumps already), return the old pumps still under warranty (replaced in March this year), and do the SS plate mod over the winter.

Thanks again!

Glad to be of assistance. It's a rather simple solution which could have easily been incorporated into the original assembly if they insisted on keeping the brass housing vs stainless. Happy boating!

 

[M Prod]

I went ahead and replaced the whole pump assembly. Problem solved. The bearings in the old pump were completely shredded. When I removed the belt, I was able to pull the pulley and shaft right out of the pump with minimal effort. Impeller is new since March and was in good condition.

Again I’m thinking I’ll do the steel plating thing over the winter when I do my annual impeller replacement. Going to go ahead and order those kits now.

 

[M Prod]

Well looks like the same problem is developing on the starboard pump. While the bearings haven't gone yet, there is a steady drip coming from behind the pump pulley when the engine is running. To add insult to injury, when I was at cruising speeds of 3-3,500 RPM, the water dripping from the pump was making it's way on to the serpentine belt. With the centrifugal force of the starboard wet belt at speed, it managed to form a perfect little water mist directly at my port alternator. So now the alternator is shot (the reason I went in there and investigated in the first place and found the leak in the starboard pump). This is all extremely disappointing since I replaced both pumps in March just to avoid this nonsense. Thinking something wasn't done right. If the belt is put on too tight, can that wear the bearings prematurely? I was able to turn both belts 90+ degrees when tight, so I don't think that's what caused this ...but just curious.

 

[LG111]

Well looks like the same problem is developing on the starboard pump. While the bearings haven't gone yet, there is a steady drip coming from behind the pump pulley when the engine is running. To add insult to injury, when I was at cruising speeds of 3-3,500 RPM, the water dripping from the pump was making it's way on to the serpentine belt. With the centrifugal force of the starboard wet belt at speed, it managed to form a perfect little water mist directly at my port alternator. So now the alternator is shot (the reason I went in there and investigated in the first place and found the leak in the starboard pump). This is all extremely disappointing since I replaced both pumps in March just to avoid this nonsense. Thinking something wasn't done right. If the belt is put on too tight, can that wear the bearings prematurely? I was able to turn both belts 90+ degrees when tight, so I don't think that's what caused this ...but just curious.

When setting the tension on the belt, you should be able to pinch the belts almost but not quite together near the alternator. If they touch with half your hands strength then to loose. If they are hard to move halfway together then to tight.