Dripping water pump?

[jms02050]

Just finished getting to know the water pump on my 6lp up close and personal. Pulled the pump from the engine, replaced the impeller, cover seal on the front and oil seal on the back. Started the engine and noticed water dripping from the area of the pump where you can see what appears to be a shaft when viewed throughout the side. The pump looked fine coming off, and I only performed the maintenance because the boat is new to me and the previous owner wasn't sure when the pump was last serviced.

Should the be any kind of leak at all from the pump?

I'm not in the position to have seen the pump running prior to my maintenance. Note that the seals are dry, it's the area in between. Hoping that the pump drips like a stuffing box, but get the feeling it should be dry. Just looking for confirmation if possible.

Thank you.

[DougSea]

The water pump should not be dripping. Something's up with it. Sorry...

[RobS]

What you have is called a "weeping" pump. The seawater is leaking past the seal and through the bearing. The bearing is not gonna stand for saltwater exposure for too long at all. The pump needs to be rebuilt or replaced. It is a rebuildable pump, parts available through Yanmar. Keep the weephole clear so it continues to weep as designed and keep anything that is exposed to the seawater sprayed down with WD40, etc..

[OldDemps]

My option the pump is toast and needs to be replaced. I just had the same problem. Weeping from the intermediate shaft area. According to my Yanmar mechanic, the weep holes are designed to allow the water to drain so it doesn't enter gear housing if mechanical seals on the impellor side fail which is what happend to me. The Yanmar parts break down shows seal parts but no numbers. I could not find the parts available. Also my Mechaninc said the labor to rebuild pump plus parts, if available and the fact that the shaft maybe wore, makes replacement more feasible. The pump list for a shocking $1000 at Yanmar. I ordered mine through bayshore marine in Maryland for $660. thanks to Rob's recommendation of them. They're great. you should also change the oil gasket between the pump and housing, ($3?). It's a 30 minute do it yourself job. I have my original weeping 6LP Yanmar pump you can have free if you want to try the rebuild route.

[jms02050]

Pump is off and in the hands of my mechanic. We'll see where this leads...

[Old School]

I have to do a raw water pump tomorrow and you guys have me concerned!

[efishnsea]

Make sure you replace the O ring when you change impeller its a separate part and does not come with impeller. I found it was easier on my 6lp to remove entire pump assembley and replace impeller and seal and seal in a comfortable position. Bob

[jms02050]

Thanks for the tips. I actually pulled the pump off the engine and replaced the impeller, the o-ring under the impeller cover plate, the rear seal o-ring, and the gasket where the hose assembly attaches to the pump. Re-installed and... drip. Mechanic is replacing bearing seal on pump. I may order a new one as a backup/plan B.

[RobS]

Make sure you replace the O ring when you change impeller its a separate part and does not come with impeller. I found it was easier on my 6lp to remove entire pump assembley and replace impeller and seal and seal in a comfortable position. Bob

I agree on both.

The O-Ring is REF#12. (Click Images to Enlarge)

6LP-STE Seawater Pump.jpg

I guess the price has gone up considerably since I replaced mine in '08..

Raw Water Pump Invoice 2008.jpg

[Old School]

Rob - That's the same drawing I have in the manual. I guess they don't want you to rebuild the pump as there are no part #'s for bearings and seals.

I'm replacing the impeller and two orings today and I'll let the forum know how I make out.

[RobS]

Lube the impeller with dishwashing liquid. It will help the pump self-prime. Do look at the exhaust port and verify she's pumping upon startup. When you put the impeller in you don't have to worry about the direction of the vanes, they will adjust once she spins...

[Old School]

Update - 4 hours to take the pump out because of a rusted rounded off nut on the bottom. Oh and a few ounces of blood do to a sharp dip tie.

Obviously I had a leak. Fortunately the leak appears not to have been at the seal. The impeller had taken a set and really didn't want to turn over by hand. I found a leak at the pump manifold gasket.

Bearing seems good, I'll know for sure about the seals later but with the new impeller (soaped and siliconed) the pump turns over as it should.

Install will be tomorrow and hope all goes well. It has to be better than the removal.