Problem with small pump

[ken_nj]

I have this small pump which is perfect to use as a bilge pump for my current project. It's been unused for like 18 year's or so, not sure where I got it. It seems to have a problem starting. At first it seemed to work OK once I bumped the voltage up to 12 volts. It's good enough to be running around 6 volts for the volume it pushes. The problem is when the 3 screws that hold the cover on are tight, the impeller binds. If I loosen the screws, it eventually started spinning and pumping better, but then the seal was to loose and it leaked. I tried adding spacers so the nylon cover will not bind against the impeller, but that did not work. Any ideas? Buy a new pump?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/ken_nj/pump1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/ken_nj/pump2.jpg

[contractor675]

Ken_nj have you tried to replace/add the o-ring with a new one?

-Chris

[ken_nj]

There is no o-ring. Over the impeller on the bottom goes a nylon cover, then a metal cover, then a seal, then the cover. you can see them in the top photo. They go on as you see them in the pic left to right.

[toesup]

Try a paper (brown packing paper) gasket to move the cover away from the impeller. ;)

[ken_nj]

I tried a piece of plastic\rubber which is the same thickness as the seal, but the water would not pump. Wouldn't the paper bag just disintegrate from being wet?

[toesup]

I tried a piece of plastic\rubber which is the same thickness as the seal, but the water would not pump. Wouldn't the paper bag just disintegrate from being wet?

Sounds as if the impeller is binding on the insides of the case / cover as the gaskets / seals have dried out after such a long storage period.

Not a paper bag!... Brown wrapping paper, a GASKET cut to the same shape as the Seal... should move the cover far enough away from the impeller.

Are the impeller 'arms' still flexible?

[ken_nj]

The arms are still flexible. With my fooling with it trying to get it to work better, if I apply power now with the covers off (like in the bottom pic), the impeller takes a while before it starts spinning. It seems the arms and sides has to much friction also. Would Teflon lube help at all? And the spacer you talk about?

[Prins Willem]

You could try silicone spray or Teflon spray on the impeller and case. The act of installing the covers and gaskets may be deforming the housing just a bit increasing the friction between the impeller blades and case. Rubber materials (especially natural Rubber) will lose elasticity over time and become hard and brittle. Without knowing how pliable the blades were when new you may not be able to judge their condition now by flexing them.