Any hope for this pump?

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zepfan
zepfan Posts: 494
in A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration

Attached are pictures of a Taco 25 hp FM series pump, for the closed loop of a building. The issue is the pump had had the seal replaced 3 times over the last six years. The one that has just started to leak, was good for three years. When we first started working at the building, it had been un occupied for a while. The pumps were left running, and at some point the seal started to leak. With no one in the building, no one noticed that it was leaking. There is a floor drain directly next to the pump, so there was no water on the floor. How long it was leaking i don’t know, but it must have been long enough to cause a fair amount of rust around the impeller housing.

It appears to me that this wear has caused a slight opening near the bottom of the impeller housing , and that is were these seals start to eventually leak. I didn’t know if there were any other solutions to keep these seals from leaking, with the existing condition of the housing. The pump is from 1988, and is one that Taco no longer makes. The only parts that seem to be available are the seals. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks to all.

IMG_6861.jpeg IMG_6860.jpeg IMG_6863.jpeg

Comments

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Posts: 28,495

    dirty fluid takes out seals. I see a pot feeder, what gets added to the system.

    Does the other pump eat seals?

    The seal needs to be a tight fit into the casting, a smooth,in tolerance, machined casting.

    If the problem is the casting, a good pump shop can build that up and remachine the bore.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Posts: 4,587

    @Pumpguy may have a good opinion. I have no idea what the expected life span of those seals should be. I would think if the housing is OK and the bearings are OK just replace the seals. The other thing is the shaft may be grooved, maybe there is a replaceable sleeve.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Posts: 27,886

    IF it's a two part seal — that is, if the actual sealing surface is part of the replaceable element, and there is a tight (perhaps press fit?) sleeve on the shaft and another sleeve on the housing, with the seal in between, you may get away with the seal.

    However, if the seal bears on the shaft, you may have enough damage on the shaft that a new seal will not work. You might be able to machine the shaft, but…

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Posts: 7,601

    2 years is a short span. Alinement, water quality, who replaced the seal and were SOP followed.

    It needs investigation.

    Intplm.
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Posts: 3,156

    The replacement shaft seal/seal is only as good as the place you install it.

    If the housing and the shaft are pitted or damaged to the extent that the seal does not seat well, this type of leak will occur. If, as you say, the parts are no longer available? I would get in touch with Taco in Rhode Island and get their advice before doing anything else.

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