450: 57hp Yanmar water pump seepage

[Krabimike]

my engines are 20 months since in the water, 500 hours. Both water pumps have signs of seepage. was wondering if any one else has had this issue?

[DotDun]

Like I told you in the other thread you started, the lip seal is bad, change it. It cost ~$5.

it's not the end of the world.....

[Krabimike]

Originally Posted by DotDun

Like I told you in the other thread you started, the lip seal is bad, change it. It cost ~$5.

it's not the end of the world.....

Thanks, yes I will have both changed as they are a warranty item. However my Yanmar dealer whom always gives me help to do things myself, has told me that it has to be done at a shop. cost of the seal in Phuket is 18.00 cost of the seal in the Seychelles is 15.00.
However my reason for the post, is it seems wrong that both engines are showing signs of seepage at under 500 hours, 18 months. I was just wondering if others have had this issue. If they were successful in trying to change themselves.

[NYSail]

These pumps are easy to work on.......... do you have spare impellers and gaskets? Open them and check them out. Good luck!

[chuckr]

We are going through an inframe engine overhaul on a 4jh3e with 5,700 hrs - neither pump leaked but the fresh water pump had some future potential so we replaced it, had it rebuilt and now carry it as a spare. we also carry a spare salt water pump

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Krabimike

Thanks, yes I will have both changed as they are a warranty item. However my Yanmar dealer whom always gives me help to do things myself, has told me that it has to be done at a shop. cost of the seal in Phuket is 18.00 cost of the seal in the Seychelles is 15.00.
However my reason for the post, is it seems wrong that both engines are showing signs of seepage at under 500 hours, 18 months. I was just wondering if others have had this issue. If they were successful in trying to change themselves.

I have had this "problem" at 200 hours (but not at 18 months). I don't consider it to be a problem at all; IMO, it is simple maintenance item. As others have posted, the lip seal in the water pump has started to weep. This is most often caused by abrasives in the raw water cooling - in other words, some silt / mud / shell particles or whatever else that may be sucked up by the raw water pump and small enough to pass through the strainer.

Get on to it early otherwise the now weeping water will become leaking water (rather than weeping) and wear the shaft.

Simple job to do yourself if you have any mechanical aptitude; a small hammer, a drift or two, a block of wood, screwdrivers etc. A vice is nice but not essential. Can be done in the cockpit of a small boat .

No biggie

EDIT: Being able to pull down and service a simple impeller water pump is a very good skill to have as seafarer; here is your opportunity

[Squanderbucks]

There seems to be a big misunderstanding by many relatively new to boating owners that boats are just cars that move along on the water. Both have internal combustion engines and run on similar fuel.
That being said the similariltes stop there. No car short of a full racing vehicle is put through the wear and tear and stress that acboat is out through.
Parts and component longevity is measured in months not years mostly.
People are used to just getting in the car and turning on the key and never have to do much ecpxcrpt change the oil every few thousand miles.
Whether it be a power boat or sail all manner of parts require daily, or periodic evaluation. There is no roadside assistance once you get a few miles offshore.
I think every boat owner should see a recommended maintenance checklist for the type boat they are interested in. It might scare or at least sober up some of the people who just aren’t willing to do the actual work it takes to keep one of these things going.

[Wotname]

@Krabimike, FWIW I picked up a lip seal and two bearings from the local bearing shop today and they cost $3 for the seal and $6 each for the bearings. All for a Yanmar RW pump.

BTW, Aussie dollars.

[Krabimike]

thanks for the replies and the advice.. I am on it.. cheers!

[Bean Counter]

I read some where these lip seals should have a stainless spring.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Bean Counter

I read some where these lip seals should have a stainless spring.

That is correct; when the lip seal is used in water applications.

More usually lip seals have a carbon steel spring (with is suitable when used as an oil seal). However oil seals can easily converted for use with water by popping off the spring and replacing it with a suitable sized O ring.