Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

[four winns 214]

Engine: 5.0 GXib

Issue: In preparation for the first outing this season, I ran the engine for a couple minutes at idle on muffs. After shutting down, I noticed water dripping from what appears to be a weep hole just behind the impeller housing. The drip frequency is a drop about every 12-15 seconds.

The photo shows the location of the hole. Of course, it's on the bottom side. For orientation, the photo is taken from above looking into an inspection mirror. The impeller housing is at left and the hole can be seen in the far left side of the mirror. It is nearly obscured by the impeller housing. The weep hole is not part of the impeller housing, but right behind where it attaches.

Can anyone give me a clue as to the source of the water and how to mitigate it?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

there is a seal on the shaft. you can replace the seal and shaft bearings, however if the leak continues, you may need a new pump.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

Common occurence for volvo....the pump is brass and things get slopped out after a while. I have been fighting the same problem for two years....It's time to take it to a machine shop and see if they can see where the problem is....I replace that seal and 30 days later it leak city.. See number 6...nasty little bugger

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

Thanks for the insights. Am I correct that this issue is NOT likely to cause a catastrophic, sudden failure?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

If its leaking it can spray all over.....that includes your ecm...1000 dollar bill there. I doubt very much its a sudden failure but make sure the shaft it seals is absolutely smooth no nicks or build up and use volvo only parts. Its a simple job just annoying...Ahh one last tidbit check your old impeller closely any vanes missing you must find them or they can compound the issue or overheat the engine...They collect in the thermostat housing.....powersteering cooler and im sure others will tell you of more possibities.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

I changed the impeller last year. It was in great shape. I change it every other season.

I took the boat out for an hour this afternoon. No drip or leak at all. I'll keep an eye on it. Boat ran great on a beautiful day. It was a nice first outing.

 

[Fishtales22]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

Thanks for the insights. Am I correct that this issue is NOT likely to cause a catastrophic, sudden failure?

I have had this problem several times in the past 6 years with a 5.7gxi. Same pump. The leak will not cause catastrophic damage if the leak is immediately detected. If you run the engine at cruising speed the drip is faster as the pressure increases due to the higher rpm and the water drips onto the serpentine belt which hurls a mist of salt water in the engine box. The engine inhales the salt mist and can be ruined. The entire engine will be covered with salt crystals as the heat evaporates the water and leaves behind the salt. . The longer the engine runs with an undetected leak from the raw water pump seal the more will be the damage. Everything gets corroded on the engine. Everything!!! It is a serious problem. When it first happened in 2006 I ran the boat for 8 hours without knowing. The engine was completely ruined. The engine had only 100 hours on it and was 2 months old. It took more than a year to get Volvo to replace it. One month ago it happened again. I detected it early but there was already salt in the throttle body. I replaced the raw water pump yesterday(fun job) and while doing so I discovered the alternator bearings and the belt tensioner were toast from all the salt damage. The design is highly flawed. The pump seal fails way too frequently and if not detected early can ruin your engine. I plan on having some words with Volvo Penta Corporation. It has happened to me 3 times in 6 years. They state they are not aware of the problem.

 

[Fishtales22]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

Thanks for the insights. Am I correct that this issue is NOT likely to cause a catastrophic, sudden failure?

Here is the update. We ran the engine and slowly sprayed one quart of transmission fluid down the intake as it was running. The we sprayed fogging oil down the intake while it was running. Several mechanics said this was the best "shot" at salvage of the potential corrosion damage in the cylinder heads from salt water vapor being inhaled through the throttle body.The engine was steam cleaned. The alternator, belt tensioner, and water pump were replaced. The engine was started and and it sounded pretty good. I was relieved. Then I took the boat out for a test run. When I gave the boat throttle to get up on plane there was a significant reduction in power. Top RPM is only 4200. The engine usually has no problem reaching 4800 RPM. I think I am going to have to rebuild the cylinder heads. Last hopeful effort will be to replace the distributor cap and rotor, ignition wires and spark plugs. If I rebuild the heads I would do this anyway. Alternatively I am thinking of purchasing a Crusader 5.7 330 HP to replace the whole deal because there are likely other components that were ruined.. I am so tired of the problems I have had with Volvo Penta engines.

 

[BreakOutAnotherThousand]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

Your plugs are fouled from all that ATF you dumped down the intake.

 

[Fishtales22]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

Your plugs are fouled from all that ATF you dumped down the intake.

I checked the spark plugs and they are clean and tan. Looks like I need another engine or be foolish enough to rebuild the cylinder heads and wait for the next problem. The cooling systems on Volvo Penta small block gas engines engines are poorly designed. The exhaust manifold and risers are a crap shoot at three years even when you flush the system with fresh water after every use. Ridiculous. I have had five 5.7 CI Volvo Penta engines in my Skipjack during the past 15 years. I doubt I will replace the most recent with another.

 

[Edge180]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

Common occurence for volvo....the pump is brass and things get slopped out after a while. I have been fighting the same problem for two years....It's time to take it to a machine shop and see if they can see where the problem is....I replace that seal and 30 days later it leak city.. See number 6...nasty little bugger


View attachment 140157

This too has happended to me a couple times over the past 5 years of my 4.3 GL ownership. That gasket has fixed my leak each time. I've got a good drip going right now after my first outing yesterday. I too can attest to the water spray in the eng. comp. as the condition worsens. I don't take her out in salt water, so catastrophic melt down probably won't occur before I fix it.

My biggest issue is inspection for the quaga/ zebra muscle says the bilge must be none dry and when I ran her on muffs in the drive way, I could not get the water outta the engine to stop the drip. Lucky for me, no engine compartment inspection and me+ admiral + kids + dog were releived to be able to launch her for a nice day on the water.

 

[MNBrent]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

Whats the part number on the impeller seawater pump seal? (item 6)

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

I have had the same seal go on my 5.0Gi but it also allowed salt water into the "sealed bearing" directly behind it.

The pump is secured with just 3 very tight Allen bolts. Well worth removing the whole assembly and replacing seal and bearing at the same time.

Local car spare parts dealer had them both in stock, here in Spain. Seal is an ANGUS--DSPM 16287 GA CO 5. And the bearing had a number 93270 on the seal but the rest was obscured by rust. However it is OD 55mm x ID 30mm x 13mm wide. The new bearing I got was manufactured by SNR and is number 6006.EE. The seal was the exact same number and less than a third of the Volvo price. And yes the whole of my engine compartment got sprayed with salt water and the pump lost its prime.

 

[Fishtales22]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

I have had the same seal go on my 5.0Gi but it also allowed salt water into the "sealed bearing" directly behind it.

The pump is secured with just 3 very tight Allen bolts. Well worth removing the whole assembly and replacing seal and bearing at the same time.

Local car spare parts dealer had them both in stock, here in Spain. Seal is an ANGUS--DSPM 16287 GA CO 5. And the bearing had a number 93270 on the seal but the rest was obscured by rust. However it is OD 55mm x ID 30mm x 13mm wide. The new bearing I got was manufactured by SNR and is number 6006.EE. The seal was the exact same number and less than a third of the Volvo price. And yes the whole of my engine compartment got sprayed with salt water and the pump lost its prime.

FACT is Volvo is hiding behind a very defective design. Your engine compartment got sprayed with salt water mist. Do you think this will be simply fixed by replacement of the pump? The engine has been salted. Not a good thing. I hope you are much luckier than I have been. Replacing the alternator, belt tensioner, water pump, and pully wheels are simple compared to rebuilding the engine or replacing it. Salt is like like cancer to an engine. The damage continues long after the initial damage is discovered.

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

FACT is Volvo is hiding behind a very defective design. Salt is like like cancer to an engine. The damage continues long after the initial damage is discovered.

The "very defective design" took 10 years and 420hours to show up.
Boat has done a 100 plus hours and 2 seasons in the (salt) water since repair, without a problem.
Having earned my living for 37 years dealing with salt water I am aware of its potencial to cause problems.
Seemed a reasonable thing to me, to share my personal experience in dealing with the OP question.

 

[Fishtales22]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

The "very defective design" took 10 years and 420hours to show up.
Boat has done a 100 plus hours and 2 seasons in the (salt) water since repair, without a problem.
Having earned my living for 37 years dealing with salt water I am aware of its potencial to cause problems.
Seemed a reasonable thing to me, to share my personal experience in dealing with the OP question.

Thanks for your input. I generally put at least 450 hours a season between May and October here in California. The water pump needs replacement every 200 hours or less. Considering the damage that can result from a simple leak that happens so frequently I would expect Volvo to modify the design so the water does not drip onto the serpentine belt. Seems like a reasonable idea. Selling engines is probably more profitable. Thanks for your e-mail regarding the alternative parts to replace the impeller and seal. I recently rebuilt 2 pumps so I have enough to get me through this season. I am going to install a camera in the engine compartment with a monitor on the dash so I can immediately see when the leak happens next time. It will be a small expense compared to what can happen if the leak is not detected immediately. Good luck with your engine. Ed

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

Thanks for your input. I generally put at least 450 hours a season between May and October here in California. Good luck with your engine. Ed

I do a lot of anchoring and drinking cold beers and engine hatch gets opened frequently as I have storage in there, so detected the leak early. I agree with the drip being over the belt, however on my setup I have the two "V" belts, just prior to the single serpentine engines.
I have found a source for a viton double lipped seal with a SS garter spring that I will install next time, might just be the fix needed. I'm sure you should be able to get them your side of the pond!
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p7...Oil+Seal+with+Garter+Spring/product_info.html

 

[CapeEscape]

Re: Water Dripping From Behind 5.0 GXib Impeller Housing

I just struggled with this problem, I have a 5.0 GXi-B. I did a lot of reading and investigation but long story short, if you have a leak from water dripping from what appears just behind the impeller housing almost 100% certain you will need to replace the whole pump. Believe me I didn't want to spend the 3-$400 but the seal and bearings can not be serviced and after a couple hundred hours they are usually toast.

Here are some helpful links:

This guy has the pump for around $300 bucks Doug Russell Marine - Marine engines, boats, trailers, service and parts for boat motors, boat propellers, sterndrives, transmissions, cylinder heads, Doug Russell Marine if you don't mind waiting a bit, his shipping was slow. He also sells on ebay Replacement Volvo Penta Impeller Raw Sea Water Pump 4 3 5 0 5 7 21214599 3812693 | eBay

I did a video showing how to do the replacement: Raw water pump replacement volvo penta 5.0 gxi - YouTube . Its not especially hard unless three bolts are rusted, I just got a 5/16" hex and tapped on it with a hammer firmly a few times and all three came right off.

Don S. one of the forum moderators will tell you the same thing, seems he is pretty much always correct (if maybe a tad grumpy) ... LOL

Good luck everyone!