Water pump rebuild??

[dshogman]

After almost 5 years of continuous fultimer use, my Shurflo 5.7 has started leaking - like, badly - from the bottom. Tried tightening whatever I could see might need tightening but nothing changes the leaking. So decided to replace (nervous nelly needs to have confidence in parts in his home) it with the same (I'm one of the guys who have had good luck with the 5.7). I would like to get the old one rebuilt and keep it for a backup. 1) Can that be done? and 2) will Shurflo be the ones to do it? Anyone have experience?
Quite a birthday present for my 73rd Wednesday, eh??
Thanks.

[tylerdmoore]

Happy almost birthday

I had the same pump on my last boat. It started leaking after only 3 weeks as you describe. Shurflo sent me a replacement without any issues. When I asked them how to return the original they had no desire to see it again. I can only guess that means it is not serviceable.

[Algoma]

IIWM after that much use I would throw it away. I have rebuilt these several times on boats so it is easy to do, but you won't save much money.

[EngineerMike]

There was a part# for rebuild kit for this pump for a while. The motors basically never fail, its either the pump head (I'm guessing worn diaphragm so it isn't passing water as it should), the electronic control package failing to read pressure properly, or a seal. I have never seen the rebuild kit on the shelf, nor offered in anybody's product list.
In short, probably not useful to try to rebuild it.
If its just the o-ring seal, you may be able to glue it shut. Taking the head part off is pretty easy, and I can't recall if its got an o-ring or if the rim of the diaphragm forms the o-ring. If a seal problem, its either the o-ring or its a crack in the case; the former could be glued shut w/silicone type adhesive, the latter w/epoxy type (I have a good one dubbed "Schmutz®" by Vic Egg) that will adhere to just about any surface, which might work under either scenario). I can look it up when I get home.

[Old Rv'er]

FWIW - Called Surflo two years ago when our first one failed, and the lady told me no part was available to rebuild the head. THe new pumps can be I believe, and you might try the website to see if there is anything on it about them. I think (EM Can verify with his experience) that the most failutes is the electronics package in the newer models, as it's made in china and not worth a JJJJJJJ. I have adjusted the current pump all the way out as instructed and it pulses now and that is the sign of failure. The pressure switch system is what goes out, not the motor, as they last for ever. I still have my first pump at home, and will use it to drain and refil HH systems when emptying the tank is necessary, like changing the electric element, pressure switch/float switch, and changing the plumbing on the drain line this spring when we get home. Manually putting in 5 gallons of boiler fluid would take all day.

[LVJ58]

Just replaced our water pump with a FloJet Mod. R4525743A 4.5gpm @30psi. Picked it up while at Quartzsite and just finished installing it a few days ago. It seems to work great and is one of those demand type pumps with the variable speed drive.

[dshogman]

New pump (3 year warranty) installed yesterday. Ahhhhhh, great shower this morning!!
Swapped emails with Shurflo customer service - while it is possible to rebuild the pump, the parts might cost more than carrying one of the small $70 pumps they have (model 4008 w/2 year warranty)) as a backup. I pointed out that the warranty on the backup would run from date of purchase - he agreed but offered no additional solution - except to get one overnight from Amazon when and if needed.
I was about to toss the old one when I read Monty's post about keeping one for use when changing the AquaHot fluid, so will stash it somewhere in the basement. Hopefully I can find it if I even need it again.
Thanks to all for suggestions.

[Mike & Mike]

Hi David, and Happy Birthday!

Our original Shurflo 5.7 was leaking badly the other day. As I was removing it from the coach, it tilted at a 45 degree angle towards the "outlet" side, and out popped a stainless steel nut with some black plastic caught in the threads.

I hooked the water pump up to a garden hose to see where it was leaking from and that turned out to be from under the little plastic lid held down by 4 small screws. I removed those and the remainder of the Pressure Sensor came out, hooked to it's wiring harness.

After dis-assembly, I determined that the Pressure Sensor had broken at the threads. The part that popped out was the remaining thread inside the nut.

I phoned Shurflo and they didn't have the part to sell me but helped me with the part number and a web link to Honeywell for the needed Pressure Sensor, 24PCFFM6G. That Honeywell link took me to the only US Distributor that had any quantity of these in stock, Newark Electronics.

Here is the Newark webpage with the Honeywell part:
HONEYWELL S&C|24PCFFM6G|PRESSURE SENSOR, 100PSI, 1 | Newark.com

On the above site, the photo shows a Sensor with no threads. Look at the Data Sheet pdf link on that webpage and you'll see that the 7th character, the "M", tells you that it comes in a version with 1/4" threads. That's what I ordered from Newark and that's what they sent me. The new Sensor is supposed to have 8-12 inch pounds of torque on the nut to hold it in place. I simply held a socket in my fingers and gently finger tightened the connection, then re-assembled and garden hose tested it again.

We're back in business now, using the old pump with hopefully another 8 lives to go!

Cheers!

Mike