Water Leak – Sherwood Seawater Pump 4BTA

[Los Ace]

I recently noticed quite a bit of water in my bilge when I took my boat out for a day trip. After careful examination, I realized that the water is coming from my seawater pump. This is on my Port Side engine which has very limited access to it. I purchased the boat in June 2022. I’m not sure if this may be an impellor issue or if the pump is going as it looks to be the original on my 2005 Meridian 341. Hoping that it’s not the water pump that needs replacement! Please see attached.

Topic

[Dan]

Aftercooler maintenance

I did speak with someone at SBMAR this morning to inquire about the 1730 but it sounds like there is quite a bit of work involved to make this work with my 4BTAs.

If Seaboard has engineered a solution to get a 1730 on a 4BTA there’s no way I would put a Sherwood back on if these where my engines.

Tony/Rob any more info on this?

How often should I be looking at the after-coolers

Freshwater or saltwater use? Freshwater flushed? 

http://www.sbmar.com/articles/the-benefits-of-fresh-water-flushing-your-marine-diesel-engine/

ran through an aqueous parts washer and RydLime wash

There’s nothing in that that indicates they where disassembled, O-rings replaced and pressure tested.Removing them is easy and the extra room it will create to remove/replace the Sherwood will be a bonus. Get it off, pull the end caps and post pics,

For info on after-cooler maintenance look here.

http://www.sbmar.com/category/aftercooler-howto-photos/

 

 

[Los Ace]

Aftercoolers Maintenance

Thanks, Dan. How often should I be looking at the aftercoolers? I’m looking at maintenance records and it looks like they were removed and ran through an aqueous parts washer and RydLime wash, etc., exactly 2 years ago. 

[Dan]

pump

Los,

On the backend of the pump is a bracket that bolts to the pump and the engine block, they are critical for support (see pic)

They tend to rattle loose or are not reinstalled when doing an impeller change (especially on Port engines) due to tight installation.

<b><i>The current pump is the original and lasted approximately 17 years. The starboard raw water pump was also replaced last year, after 16 years</i></b>

Don’t get too comfortable with the Starboard pump having been replaced last year, my first pump failed at 200 hours from brand new.

It’s unlikely both you’re pumps where original.

The after-coolers should be high on your priority list for servicing.

 

[Los Ace]

Hey Rob, thank you for the info. I did speak with someone at SBMAR this morning to inquire about the 1730 but it sounds like there is quite a bit of work involved to make this work with my 4BTAs. I’m just not that mechanically inclined to do so myself and it’s tough to find good help in the PNW – all “boat mechanics” here just want to do the basic maintenance. 

The current pump is the original and lasted approximately 17 years. The starboard raw water pump was also replaced last year, after 16 years. Hoping a new one will work well for 2-3 years before upgrading to another boat.

[Rob Schepis]

Los Ace, So you are going to replace with another Sherwood?

Richard, Check the article included here in answer to your question/concerns.

SMX 1730 Seawater Pump for 6BTA-M3 / 6CTA / 480CE / QSL9

[Los Ace]

Thank you for your reply, Tony. I called your shop and it sounds like I may be able to replace the Sherwood with a SDX but requires a bit of work. I’m not mechanically inclined, so I’ve decided that at this point, the best thing to do is to purchase another pump and install it. 

Thank you for your expertise.

[Richard Janek]

Sherwood pump failure

Wow, that is a dramatic failure. Does this happen with the 1730 also?  Have you seen any of the 1730 pumps on 6CTAs that go like this?

 

[Tony Athens]

Sherwoods 4BTA 1503 Pump-A Total POS Design

Apart from the seal failures there’s been several bearing failures resulting in the drive gear disintegrating inside the timing cover and destroying the engine.

 

This needs to be stressed. Do what you need to do and take the pump off ASAP..      

[Dan]

<i>“Just saw the cost of a new pump so I’m REALLY hoping is something else!”</i>

Unfortunately there is no aftermarket replacement, you’re stuck with the Sherwood that was specifically designed for the 4BTA, no other pump will fit.

Apart from the seal failures there’s been several bearing failures resulting in the drive gear disintegrating inside the timing cover and destroying the engine.

Seaboard has them or they can be rebuilt, you may also want to have a close look at your aftercoolers.

http://www.sbmar.com/product/sherwood-g1503-seawater-pump-cummins-4bta/

 

[Los Ace]

I will call SBMAR to look into which replacement would be adequate. You’re right, I should get rid of both of my Sherwoods. The more I learn about them the less confident I feel about going on extended trips. I appreciate your feedback. Thank you!

[pwrobert]

Look on the store for engine parts and accessories stuff on this website.  Both of my sherwood have been removed and replaced by Seaboard’s own clones.  The SMX series of pumps.  For my 6BTA 370 it is the SMX 1730.  These are much heavier duty and of better build quality.  They are drop-in replacements and will fit just like the crappy sherwoods.  

My Sherwoods were not toasted but removed them anyway and relegated them to “spares” that I keep one onboard when I travel.  The impellers are not interchangable so I also carry the spare impeller that coms with the SMX pump in case I just need to do an impeller change.

[Los Ace]

Thank you

Thank you for your reply. I’m going to go down to the marina to check it out in more detail, tomorrow Saturday. Just saw the cost of a new pump so I’m REALLY hoping is something else! Can this be replaced with something of better quality or must it be the same exact thing?

[pwrobert]

Just saw your photos

Time for a new pump. Need to check your oil to see if the oil seal is also shot. Water mumps is small change compared to water in the oil pan. 

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Los Ace

[pwrobert]

Others may have different insight but impeller issue is engine over heating. Not water leakage. <br />regardless you have no choice but to remove the pump and take it apart. But first start it up andanand watch the pump to see where the water is coming from. Could be a hose or broken hose clamp. Also if seals are shot could leak out the weep holes. <br /><br />

if it’s the original pump then it’s way overdue for disassembly. Regardless of impeller appearance now even if the water is coming from elsewhere it needs replacement. <br />if it is something else with the pump just plan on replacing it outright. <br />consider it maybe saved as a rebuilt backup. Impellers should be considered disposable and replaced on a schedule like filters and belts.  

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