HOW IT WORKS SEAWATER PUMP

The water and oil seals on a water pump shaft will eventually wear with time, leading to pump-shaft corrosion or loss of engine oil.

A daily check of the water pump’s ‘tell-tale’ hole will give advance warning of a seal failure. The water pump is often mounted on the front of the engine. However, on some engines it’s mounted on the rear or at the side, so check your handbook.

LEAKS FROM THE PUMP BODY

There’s a water seal on the drive shaft and possibly an oil seal as well. The water seal, especially, will start to leak after a while and if this isn’t replaced in time, shaft damage will occur. If there’s an oil seal it will usually be identical to the water seal, but fitted facing in the opposite direction.