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Question:

I have a small drip coming from the raw water pump, whats the problem?

1997 Caravelle 1900BR3.0L HO Volvo PentaSX Cobra OutdriveI have a small leak coming from my raw water pump, it is not a continuous stream just a drop every now and then. The best I can tell it is coming from between the shaft and water pump housing. Is there just a small o-ring there? How can this be fixed?We're going to the lake for Memorial Day Weekend. Will I be alright with the small drip for over the weekend? Then I'll fix it when I can get the parts.

Answer:

Usual answer is to look for the flats of the gland on the shaft on tighten up with a spanner,as this will compress the packing a bit more. A small drip is not very bad but you are right to check.
Could be any one of a few things. If you're brave enough to taste it (just get some on your finger and touch the tip of your tongue), then you'll be able to tell if it's rainwater or engine coolant, which tastes sweet. If it's coolant, then your heater has a leak. More likely today is rainwater getting in round the windscreen seal or the sunroof, if it has one. Leaks are very difficult to trace and you might have to wait for a dry day, then remove all the carpets and sit in the car while someone aims a powerful jetwash around suspect areas.
Well I don't know what mavrick is smoking but obviously he hasn't got a clue about a raw water pump on a volvo. He probably is on a sail boat. Here it is. There is a non replaceable seal on the shaft in the back of the pump.You have a 12 year old boat. Its time it went bad. The only way to repair it is to replace the pump. If you could get a seal from Volvo ( I will look it up in a minute) You would have to press the shaft out of the pump and this would more than likely end badly . You would end up replacing it anyway. So replace the pump , If it is just a small drip and the engine is not running hot you can run it but there is no telling when it will all of the sudden just disintegrate.

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