I have recently fitted a new water pump (Rimmers) to my Sprint. Before fitting it,
I put some water around the seal in the cage and spun it up with a drill. There was no
indication of leaks out of the holes in the cage. The water pump was then installed
and now I have a drip from the slot in the block. My question is is there a bed in period
for the seal to stop leaking after a running in period.
Thanks,
Doug
Water pump question
- VanIsleSprint
- Guest contributor
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:28 am
- Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island BC Canada
Water pump question
DOUG
1980 Dolomite Sprint lhd
1980 Dolomite Sprint lhd
Re: Water pump question
Did you machine the back of the impellor where the seal runs to make sure it was very clean and flat with no corrosion?
If not that is probably the source of your problem.
Regards.
If not that is probably the source of your problem.
Regards.
Re: Water pump question
It's a new water pump so i would assume it will not need machining, the older type graphite pump seals used to have to bed in ( i changed a few without machining the impellor and waited for it to bed in eventuallyPaulB wrote: Did you machine the back of the impellor where the seal runs to make sure it was very clean and flat with no corrosion?
If not that is probably the source of your problem.
Regards.


- VanIsleSprint
- Guest contributor
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:28 am
- Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island BC Canada
Re: Water pump question
The impeller has a recess machined into the bottom face to accept a plastic
washer which runs on the seal.
Doug
washer which runs on the seal.
Doug
DOUG
1980 Dolomite Sprint lhd
1980 Dolomite Sprint lhd
Re: Water pump question
Ok , I have not come across these type of impellor yetVanIsleSprint wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:07 pm The impeller has a recess machined into the bottom face to accept a plastic
washer which runs on the seal.
Doug

Re: Water pump question
I fitted a new old stock pump in my rebuilt Sprint engine last year and had a small weep to begin with but it settled down after a few hundred miles and seems fine now.
Russ Cooper
Dursley
UK
Dursley
UK
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- TDC Member
- Posts: 2542
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:26 am
Re: Water pump question
Are you sure it is plastic? I bought a repair kit from a stag specialist (LD spares, excellent), and it came with a ceramic white ring which could be used. Seemed a very good idea, so I borrowed a lathe (well, popped to a friends to use his lathe) an machined the impellor and stuck the ceramic ring in place with epoxy. Really good idea as the seal now runs on a corrosion free surface.VanIsleSprint wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:07 pm The impeller has a recess machined into the bottom face to accept a plastic
washer which runs on the seal.
Doug
Clive Senior
Brighton
Brighton