Does AC raw water circulation pump contain oil?

MDboater · June 2016

I finally took off the shrink wrap this weekend and found a puddle of what appears to be oil in the mid bilge of my 2003 270 FV (see first pic). I noticed a drip of the "oil" coming from the black cable attached to raw water circulation (red arrow in second pic). Could this "oil" be coming from the circulation pump? If not, any ideas? It appears the pump is original given the 2002 date on it. I assume this is a 300 gph pump. Any recommendations for a replacement part make/number.

Thanks,
MDboater

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020499/uploads/editor/yu/yyw4p16292n3.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020499/uploads/editor/e4/wugzmfui8s06.jpg

MDboater · June 2016

So after doing some research, I learned that my Cal pump does indeed contain oil. There is an allen head set screw in the brass to portion of the pump. After removing the set screw you can see oil in the pump body by tipping it to the side. I added some low viscosity (~10W) turbine oil (similar to LaCo Zoom) to fill the pump about 3/4 full. The pump sounds good running. I'll report later on the longevity of the maintenance.

There are some reports of the pumps beings designed for submersible applications only. The above water applications don't allow the pumps to cool correctly and an epoxy seal fails over time leading to oil leaks.

frodo13056 · June 2016

Rinker uses CAL Pumps for the water flow for the AC units:

http://www.cal-pumps.com/pumps/marine_saltwater_pumps.html

I replaced the AC water pump on my 2003 270 and I don't recall seeing any oil in it - just the sealed bearings. On my pump that failed, the motor seized so I just replaced it. On yours, it's possible that the sealed bearings may have failed (over heated) and the grease basically melted and leaked out.

MDboater · June 2016

frodo13056 said:

Rinker uses CAL Pumps for the water flow for the AC units:

http://www.cal-pumps.com/pumps/marine_saltwater_pumps.html

I replaced the AC water pump on my 2003 270...

Do you recall if you installed the MS225 (275 gph) or the MS320 (375 gph)?

frodo13056 · June 2016

@MDboater - Sorry, It's been about 10 years since I had that boat and I don't recall the gph on that pump. It may be stamped on the original pump but I would imagine that Rinker would be able to tell you the factory gph.

BellevilleMXZ · June 2016

Yeah they have oil in them......mines leaking there too......I rotated pump so wire is not at bottom......hopefully it lasts......no idea what kind of oil

Michael T · June 2016

@MDboater, no big deal - but some tech has winterized your boat and left the strainer bowl on with AF in it which renders it opaque. These bowls can be aftermarket purchased so you can buy a clear one to see inside for debris without removing the bowl.

Liberty44140 · June 2016

Ahh, MT thanks! My bowl is gray too. All have been clear on previous boats so I wondered about this. now I get it!

reneechris14 · June 2016

Ms320 did mine last week $149 at defender. I would buy new strainer because you have to take all that apart.you get just the pump no fittings.mine did not leak just not pumping water probably impeller so I changed the whole pump.tuff part is the wire goes to the a/c unit at the foot of the bed.tie a string so you can feed the wire back threw.