Raw Water Pump - Leaking behind pulley

JoeStang

How hard of a job is it to remove the pulley and replace the seal behind it? The bearing feel fine and it doesnt wobble, but there's a pretty decent drip between the pulley and shaft. I just put a new impeller in last year. 

I know someone will say just get a Hardin, but thats not in the budget right now. 

Any of the Amazon rebuilt ones worth trying to replace the whole unit? 

Ian

I bought a rebuild and then had someone rebuild mine so now I have a spare. Based on the issues that folks have spoken about on here with their Hardin’s, I am glad I have OEM.

rasbury

Ian said:

I bought a rebuild and then had someone rebuild mine so now I have a spare. Based on the issues that folks have spoken about on here with their Hardin’s, I am glad I have OEM.

I still have the oem. I did have to find a kit with replaceable ware plates. The pump has approx 350 hours on it. I do have something starting to make some noise down there like a bearing in that, or perhaps the alternator as it is starting to weaken on the charging. I really need to replace that water impeller- 5 plus years and mostly sitting.

Dream_Inn

@JoeStang if you have access to a press, it’s not a bad job.  You have to press the pulley off and then the shaft and rebuild with new seals and bearings.  I did it for the first time this past winter.  Yes, mine is a Hardin, but it is very similar for OEM.

JoeStang

I dont have a press, nor really any access to one, so I'd be paying a shop to do that.

It sounds like buying a new pump with pulley already installed is the better route. Has anyone had success with the "rebuilt" or aftermarket pumps that are 1/3rd the price of OEM / Hardin? Mine makes good pressure, but I'm sure its on borrowed time since the water is getting past the seal. I've got a little over 550 hours on it. 

YYZRC

If it's not worn on the inside, just have someone replace the bearing.

Dream_Inn

@JoeStang , I would be willing to use my press and rebuild it if you wanted to pay the shipping both ways and parts.  I would need someone to tell me the rebuild kit to buy.  With shipping both ways and a couple days for me to rebuild, not sure if that timeframe is ok. Totally up to you.

JoeStang

@Dream_Inn I really appreciate that, but I've got some time constraints that make that tough to do. I'm moving from indoor rack to a marina well, and I only have a week to work on the boat before it has to be splashed. It'd be a much easier process to buy the entire housing and swap it all at once. I could then rebuild the OEM unit and have it for "next time".  

Seems like I'm kind of pigeon-holed into getting a new assembly, so now its just which one to roll the dice on. 

Dream_Inn

I understand.  If you want to spend the money and have it as as a backup, I’m here.