LM318 Circulating pump rattle

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:45 am

My engine circulating pump (not the raw water pump) has a rattle behind the belt pulley. I had a hard time finding where the noise was coming from. I can get the rattle to stop the instant I spray some CRC or WD-40 on the back side of the pulley. I'm guessing that it's the bearings of the shaft that belt pulley is mounted to. This rattle only occurs after the boat has sat for a while between startups. Is this a typical sign of the need to replacment the circulating pump?

At first I just thought it was belt noise but spraying the belts with belt conditioner didn't help. The engine isn't over heating.

Here's a photo of my engine. I put a black arrow where I spray the CRC.

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96 ... ngPump.jpg

Bubbabuda · Post by **Bubbabuda** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:59 am

Sounds like you are on track with replacing pump. Better now than having a problem while underway. Remember about Murphy's Law... Looks like an easy repair, nice and clean and plenty of room. Good luck with R/R.

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:19 am

I agree, sounds like bearings going and a new pump is in your future.

I was wondering though looking at the picture, what the long blue tube in front was?

Also, the seal going around the hatch groove, is that something you added, if so, would you mind telling me what it's called and where did you get it.

Thanks very much.

Larry

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:49 am

Nice looking Engine! Sounds like a bearing getting tired to me. Spraying CRC or WD into it may quiet it temporarily however these are penetrating lubricants and will ultimately wash the remaining grease out of the bearings. I'm assuming that the WD is getting in thru the vent hole between the bearings. Any way, once the bearing wears the next thing to go will be the seal. Looks like you have a closed cooling system so this could be a real problem for you.

If it was me, I would just change the pump.

Hope this helps,

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:12 pm

Time to replace that water pump .

Larry that tube is the heat exchanger

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:56 pm

Looks like I have a little project on my hands.

Seeing how I have to drain the coolant, I will replace the exhaust elbows and probably go ahead a take off the exhaust manifolds as well and repaint them.

While I have all that stuff off I might as well replace the raw water pump impeller.

Can you guys think of anything else I should do while I'm replacing all this?

I'm gonna have to order the following:
Circulating pump and gasket
2 new exhaust elbows, gaskets and bolts
2 sets of exhaust manifold gaskets
Impeller kit for raw water pump

By the way, that picture is about 5 to 6 years old so she doesn't look as nice now hence the repainting of the exhaust manifolds.

Thanks.

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:01 pm

larglo wrote:Also, the seal going around the hatch groove, is that something you added, if so, would you mind telling me what it's called and where did you get it.

Larry,
That gasket around the hatch is just a rubber weatherstripping seal with an adhesive back. It was there when I bought the boat. I'm sure you can probably pick up something similar at a Hardware store in the weatherstripping section. I don't think it's anything speical or unique to Trojans.

I ordered the pump, elbows, impeller and gaskets. Hopefully they will arrive in time for this warm weekend coming up. Fingers crossed...

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:21 pm

Thanks Ken, I'll look into it.

Larry

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:00 pm

Well I was able to take off the exhaust manifolds and elbows, raw water pump and alternator. The exhaust elbows were a little over due for a change. The starboard elbow was pretty clogged. I believe they are 6 years old which is definitely longer than the suggested 3-5 years for these things. But they always ran cool to the touch so I figure I wasn't in a rush to change them but I'm glad I'm doing it now. I probably would have gotten through this year with them but I would have been pushing it toward the end. The exhaust manifolds look great on the inside (coolant cooled) and impeller in the raw water pump looks great as well (I changed the impeller at the beginning of last year).

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96 ... 9-2146.jpg

It's amazing how small these Chrysler 318's are when you take off the exhaust manifolds.

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96 ... 9-1346.jpg

I'm going to paint all the parts before I put them back on. I don't think my mechanic used the best paint when I had him replace the engine 6 years ago.

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 7:39 pm

Everythings back in and running good. Went ahead and changed the oil and fluid in the trans and v-drive.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 7:50 pm

Looks great Ken. I asume the noise is gone. ?

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:12 am

Looks nice. Come on spring !

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 1:04 pm

prowlersfish wrote:Looks great Ken. I asume the noise is gone. ?

Thanks guys. Yes, the noise is gone. She's purring just like she should be. Knock on wood...

I know how everyone loves pictures and videos so here's a video of her running.

http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96 ... 38cbbe.mp4

Now what happened to those 70 and 80 degree days we had about a week ago. I'm ready....