Water pump leak.

[MarkSmith]

Hi folks,

Had to do some work near my heating/water pump yesterday and now the large joint to the pump is leaking badly.

Untitled

• MarkSmith
• 13 Feb 2011
• 1

I've tried tightening that joint but it made it considerably worse.

Where now? Do I need to dismantle it? How is that supposed to seal? Is there a washer in there which I need to replace?? PTFE tape?

Last silly question - what tool should I be using? Water pump pliers are too small (all mine are anyway). All I have is a strap wrench which I use for MDPE fittings, and that doesn't grip well on wet brass.

Thanks!
-Mark

 

[mickyg]

you'll need to remove the pump and replace the washers if you can't tighten it up. You'll need a large pair of grips or a dedicated pump nut spanner. Sometimes if they're really stiff you have to cut them off with a hacksaw and fit new nuts. whatever you do, replace with rubber washers not fibre. the fibre ones are rubbish.

 

[Terrywookfit]

Nice to see a quality installation. Imaginative use of baling twine.

It needs a new fibre washer in the extension.

The rubber ones that come with the pump tend not to seal on the narrow seat of the extension.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Try below for new gate valves.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/74843/Plumbing/Brassware/Gate-Pump-Valve-22mm

Andy

 

[Whitespirit66]

Hmm. Difference of opinion.

Rubber washer. Fibre Washer.

But which one's best?

Untitled

• Whitespirit66
• 30 Nov 2010
• 4

And yes, the twine pipe support is cause for concern.

 

[Terrywookfit]

Hmm. Difference of opinion.

Rubber washer. Fibre Washer.

But which one's best?

Untitled

• Whitespirit66
• 30 Nov 2010
• 4

And yes, the twine pipe support is cause for concern.

I dont give a flying **** what other people use.

Pump extensions are the ONLY time I use fibre washers (usually with a liberal finger full of jet blue).

To my untrained eye,It would be better to remove the two gate valves ,two pump valves and two extensions.

A new pair of pump valves and a short piece of pipe would tidy it up nicely.
(It might need the baling twine renewing though)

 

[twgas]

I agree with Terry... on this issue

 

[scatmanjohn]

Try below for new gate valves.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/74843/Plumbing/Brassware/Gate-Pump-Valve-22mm

Andy

Why new valves? surely a new washer would sort it

 

[johnnojob]

get rid of all of those extension pieces.
involves draining system to work level.
just buy new pump valves and make up void with some copper pipe and a coupler.
ps dont for get inhibitor.

 

[Axel]

And a bit more http://www.ropesandtwines.com/products.asp?cat=17

 

[MarkSmith]

Thanks for the replies all. Terrywookfit and mickyg were right - washers in the pump valves had disintegrated. I took johnnojob's advice and went to replace the whole lot (except the pump extensions - they're on incredibly tight) with two new pump valves and a short length of copper pipe...

...but all the pipework and old fittings are 3/4", not 22mm... so I can't do it. By the time I realised this, everywhere was closed.

Can't even put it back together with a new washer, because I don't have 3/4" olives to replace those to the old gate valves.

So it looks like I need to get some 22mmx3/4" couplers to make it all fit... which Screwfix don't seem to sell

Oh, yes, the twine. Not my handywork - but to be honest there are bigger fish to fry when you look at a lot of the plumbing and electrics in my house! Working through it, slowly...

 

[bengasman]

Make sure that there is no undue stress on the pipework/parts when you redo it. A bit of proper support would not go amiss either.

 

[MarkSmith]

Thanks again all for the help. Pump is now leak free, has fewer extraneous fittings (couldn't get the extensions off but the extra gate valves are gone) and has a proper support. (That blue string isn't taking any weight... just didn't have a knife to hand.)

Repaired pump

• MarkSmith
• 25 Feb 2011
• 1

Now with a bit of proper support.

 

[Terrywookfit]

It looks a lot better.
When the pump needs changing you will have the same problem with the extensions. ie, if they wont come off you will need two new ones.

It would have been better to cut a couple of slots across the threads to remove them, leaving a standard 130mm pump space.

 

[Agile]

Now all it needs is some pipe insulation!