Seawater Pump Leaking

JimGuy341

350 mag.  Boat just went in the water and I noticed some rusty water under the seawater pump pulley.  I'm assuming the shaft seal is going.  My question is, can I run like this until I can get it replaced or is that a bad idea?

oscar1

You can if the pump leak is not spraying water in the engine room

mattie

Could be just a bit of rust from sitting over the winter puked out relief hole at season start up. 

I'd probably still use the boat - but replace in the near future.

Spyderweb

After taking possession of my current boat I discovered a leak in the water pump shaft (despite getting survey).  Only leaked under power.  Broker convinced me it would be safe to to take the ~85 mile trip down the Oswego River and across Lake Ontario to my home slip.  Made the trip fine.  I immediately had my marina replace the pump.  Mechanic said shaft was sliding out, and I was lucky it didn’t throw the belt while on the trip.

So apparently there’s more to be concerned about than just water in the bilge, or overheating.  If you’re leaking at the shaft, I wouldn’t put off the repair too long.

JimGuy341

Spyderweb said:

After taking possession of my current boat I discovered a leak in the water pump shaft (despite getting survey).  Only leaked under power.  Broker convinced me it would be safe to to take the ~85 mile trip down the Oswego River and across Lake Ontario to my home slip.  Made the trip fine.  I immediately had my marina replace the pump.  Mechanic said shaft was sliding out, and I was lucky it didn’t throw the belt while on the trip.

So apparently there’s more to be concerned about than just water in the bilge, or overheating.  If you’re leaking at the shaft, I wouldn’t put off the repair too long.

Ran into our local freelance mechanic at the marina today and he basically said the same thing.  Don't wait and he didn't really recommend running the boat until it's fixed. 

Black_Diamond

Fix now.  It will die soon with the water in the bearings. 

mattie

Black_Diamond said:

Fix now.  It will die soon with the water in the bearings. 

Exactly. Overheat & alarm in about 20 sec after it fails.

Been there done that. Towed the last 1/4 mile back to the dock.

aero3113

I just had both of mine rebuilt the end of last season because of a drip 🙄. 

mattie

@aero3113 - show off! 

Bling, bling Hardin pumps.........lol

YYZRC

Based on what I read on here, it’s more like “drip, drip, Hardin pumps”!

aero3113

YYZRC said:

Based on what I read on here, it’s more like “drip, drip, Hardin pumps”!

Hopefully no more of that!!

Ian

And my originals are still fine….. and my buddy had his Hardin’s rebuilt too.