Leaking water pump

[Chris P]

The Flojet water pressure pump on my boat leaks on the intake side when the system is pressurized. The leak is somewhere between an occasional and steady drip depending on whether the pump is running or idle. It is dry when pressure is relieved from the system. If the water pressure switch is left on for a day or so, the leak is significant enough to puddle in the port hull chine and eventually spill over and run down dampening the cabin carpet. It also causes the pump to cycle intermittently.

The pump is a Quad Series, model 4405-143, and comes equipped with removable ports for the hose connections. These hose connection ports are fitted with an O ring and are held in place on the pump with plastic slide clips. The intake port is a 90 degree elbow with an integrated strainer. The leak originates where the port fits into the pump.

So far I've disassembled, cleaned, resealed, and reassembled all of the intake side components. At first this seemed to work, but the leak returned. My next step is to try to find a new O ring that might give a more snug fit.

I though I'd ask if anyone has had a similar problem or if anyone has thoughts or advice. Hopefully, this is not something inherent with these pumps

Thanks in advance.

 

[oldgrowth]

Chris P – I was hoping someone else would help because I am not familiar with your pump.
Did you replace the O-ring when you had it apart? You cannot always tell if an O-ring is bad by looking at it, so I would replace it to start with.
The pump has an internal bypass valve that may be sticking and causing too much pressure. The max pressure should be 35 psi. I would doubt this is the problem but if you have a way of testing the pressure, it would eliminate it as a possibility.

If you do not have a manual for the pump, you can get it here Manual