Raw water pump leak

[GBlundell]

I have water stains and rust damage below the pump, and it appears that the water is coming through the slots that are on top and bottom of the pump body, halfway between the front and back of the pump. Before I pull it all apart and replace the seals, can someone confirm that leaking seals is the problem? It's an Oberdorfer M201.

Graham Blundell

[Don Moyer]

Graham,

Your symptoms are very consistent with a leaky seal in your pump.

Don

[GBlundell]

Ok, so it's time to pull it apart. First, the impeller doesn't want to come out - it's just a push fit, right? I may have to destroy the impeller to get it out. Second, I've removed the circlip - what's the preferred method of pushing the seals and shaft out? Is there a users manual I can get for this pump?

[Don Moyer]

Oberdorfer never published much of an owners manual for their 202M series pumps. I'm attaching a set of instructions that we put together that may help to get you started.

Don

[GBlundell]

Thanks Don. These instructions, and most of the posts I've read, refer to the engine driven pump on the front (? transmission end) of the engine. My problem is with the raw water pump (this is a FWC engine) - model 201M. Is everything, including the rebuild kit, the same? I'm thinking it makes more sense to get a complete rebuild kit including shaft, rather than just replacing the seals. Agree?

[Don Moyer]

Our water pump rebuild kit is only intended for use in Oberdorfer model 202M pumps. Oberdorfer has never considered the model 201M to be a good candidate for customer rebuilding, I suspect mainly because they are frequently quite problematic to disassemble without a press. We have been recommending that our customers send their 201 pumps to Moyer Marine Warehouse, 242 North Spring Street, Middletown PA 17057. We then send the pumps to Oberdorfer for inspection and rebuilding as necessary.

Don