Sea Water Pump Leak

[J.Wilt]

My STBD side sea water pump is leaking water from the bottom of the shaft. I replaced the o-rings in and out and the impeller face plate. Is there a seal on the shaft or and I looking at a new pump?

 

[aquadancer]

You may want to read this about your Sherwood 1730 pump and replacement options:

http://www.sbmar.com/product/smx-1730-seawater-pump/

 

[fwebster]

I have 17XX series Sherwood pumps and have had no issues with longevity or leaks after Sherwood improved them. I honestly don't know if the Cummins version is different from the ones for Caterpillar since I only have experience with the CAT version. I do know that trying to rebuild the Sherwood pump runs into money very quickly because a pump that leaks sea water almost certainly has a pitted shaft and if it is leaking it will need bearings and seals and if you are this far into it, you should replace the impeller, gaskets/o-rings and probably the cam.......kind of a "when do I stop?" thing. The other factor to realize is that rebuilt pumps never seem to last as long after they are rebuilt as they did initially. I replace rather than rebuild, although I have a rebuilt spare that I take on trips, just in case. I am on my 2nd set of pumps and these have been on the engines for 10 years.

I would replace both pumps so you know you are starting this maintenance clock over at "0". You can make your own decision on OEM vs. aftermarket pumps.............I have no experience with sbmar.com products so I can't comment on them.

 

[J.Wilt]

Thanks for the replys.
I' m more of a replace it type. I like Frank's Ida of replacing both and then have spare.

 

[my3sons]

I just replaced my Sherwood 1730’s with the Sea Max pumps. Kept one of the old Sherwood’s as the spare. If you go that route, you will need an impeller for the Sherwood. The spare impellers that Sea Board marine sends with the pumps are different (spline vs key). Good luck

 

[LMBoat]

I had same problem. Did a rebuild, but started leaking again in a few hundred hours. Got a new Seamax pump and it has been good so far, just did 3rd impeller change. Other is still a Sherwood, but no problems. I have a 2nd new seamax as a spare.

 

[J.Wilt]

Well I successfully replaced both of my water pumps yesterday, surprised how easy it was, feels good knowing I can do this job myself. Ended up just buying two Sherwood 1730C water pumps on line for $453.00 each:smt001. I called the local Cummings dealer and they wanted a little over 1K each and local SeaRay dealer wanted almost $700.00. Why such a big difference I don't know:huh:. Both came with the impellers already in so that saved a little time also.
One question I had is that when I removed the pump I expected to see engine oil to drain out of the gear casing, how are those gears lubricated? There was some oil on the gears.

 

[fwebster]

The gear driven pumps are in the accessory drive housing on the front of the engine and driven off the camshaft. They are lubricated either by a slinger or by the engine's internal oil system, depending upon the engine design.