Leaking water pump!

[TMG51]

Posting this in RV since it's an RV system and we don't seem to have a plumbing forum.

I just noticed my water pump has started leaking. Luckily I look in this area often and caught it early. It's a very slow drip (click to enlarge).


The drip is coming from the seam between the pump and the housing here (click to enlarge).


So is it worth taking apart tonight to see if I can repair a seal in there or do I just need a new pump? I don't mind putting a pump in but I need to find one locally. (And probably pay 6x the price retail for ones I've seen online). There are screws on that portion of the housing and I tightened them to little effect.

It did get pretty cold last night, low 40s when I woke up, but I didn't think it got cold enough to freeze. Is this a common failure point?

 

[speedhighway46]

My suggestion would be to clean the mating surfaces with some type of solvent like ethyl acetate (lacquer thinner) and then re-assemble with Permatext or some other sealant/gasket material.

Good luck.

 

[rvpopeye]

That might work...SH46
I think I remember seeing a rebuild kit for that pump at an RV parts place.
If your luck is anything like mine .....probably discontinued !!!

 

[gadgetMe]

There is a o-ring set between the cover and pump body
Should look like this one

[img=300x200]http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxN...BQ-ch4(NH!~~60_57.JPG?set_id=880000500F[/img]

you can disassemble it and check to see if there is a break or crack and try to reseal with silicone.

But, it is a pressure pump and a repair kit would be the low cost way, replacement may be in the card in the future

try searching for the surflow pump repair kit online, I see wal-mart has them on their site (go figure)

Gadget

 

[highdesertranger]

it's a shurflo water pump get a rebuild kit from them. do not use silicone unless it's food grade. here's their web site, http://www.shurflo.com/ . highdesertranger

 

[TMG51]

Soooo, here's how this went down. In response to speedhighway's suggestion I endeavored to dismantle the pump. I purged all my fresh water and took it apart. It does indeed have a gasket, as it turned out gadgetme posted after I'd had it apart and seen the same. Except mine is all covered in mildew! Is that the reason for failure? Dunno.

Working with what I had on hand tonight, I cleaned all surfaces with rubbing alcohol and then spread a thin bead of "goop" (solvent based adhesive/sealant) on the ridge that meets the gasket, taking care not to allow material to get into the pump workings. Reassembled, let dry, and drove off into the night to fill my water system.... Not a drop of water from the pump yet....

Is that the right way to fix it? Nope. If you're reading this thread after the fact for advice I would suggest that you buy the rebuild kit, or carry a 2nd pump on hand in case of failure. But this worked for me tonight. And it'll probably keep on working as long as I never again attempt to take that pump apart.

As far as food grade goes, that's valid advice but I'm not concerned. I only drink bottled water. The holding tank is used for dishes/showering alone.