On Mon, 4 Jan 2010 22:37:45 -0800 (PST), Len
wrote:

I am having problems with this cooling pump.
http://www.depcopump.com/datasheets/...10-24218-1.pdf
This pump has been overhauled twice and apart from that it has been
serviced with new seals but it keeps developing a leak. Last time (2
months after overhaul) the seawater crept through 2 seals into the
engine block. I had to take out 2 gallons of salt water. Now it starts
again to drip. since that last servicing I have only been in clear
seawater.

I'm thinking of :
1) some mechanical ceramic seal that will do the job properly and for
years but I have no clue how to go about that one.
2) removing the waterhoses from this pump and add an electrical pump
with enough capacity and proper alarms and so on.

I would be obliged if you could spill your experience / thoughts
regarding this.

Regards,
Len on board s.v Present,
at the moment in Grenada, W.I.

I had a similar problem - rebuilt pump and it leaked soon after. In my
case it was because the shaft was damaged where the seal is
positioned. The repairman installed a new seal which was immediately
ruined by the damaged shaft.

If your pump is located lower then the water line (so that it is self
priming) you can replace the rubber impeller pump with a belt driven
centrifugal pump. I've had one on my boat for about ten years with no
problems to date.

You could also use an electric (rated for constant service) pump but I
am a bit leery of that as the electric pump is constant volume while
engine requirement is variable - more with higher RPM.
Although I had an auxiliary generator that was plumbed that way and
never gave any problems.

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)