What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

[scooper77515]

What is it, where did it come from, and where else will I find it while working on the engine.

This is the first time this pump has been taken off 180 hrs and original impeller.

Impeller is still in like-new shape, so may put it in box as an emergency spare.

Targunk seems to be somewhat water soluble. If it sits in hot water, it starts to dissolve, but still requires quite a bit of scrubbing and soap.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

Scratch that about it being semi-water-soluble. Not at all. Sticks to the brushes, so ruined three plastic bristle brushes including a toothbrush. Once this stuff gets on it, it stays. Lacquer thinner thinned it out but then it just ran all over the part and had to be cleaned off with another scrub brush.

Got it clean, but it was NOT easy...

 

[Don S]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

At one time, it was a rubber pad that goes on the bracket to cusion any movement of the pump from hitting the bracket (gray thing).
What have you been cleaning the engine with?

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

Engine has never been cleaned. It is still as clean as it was on the showroom floor (other than this gunk). Boat was used less than 30 hours for the first 5 years, then got 100 hours with 2nd owner over one season.

 

[Don S]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

It could have been caused by some type corrosion guard used on it. Who knows. but it is a rubber (of some kind) pad that goes over the end of the bracket. I have no idea what happened to yours. They have been used for years without melting.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

Just to clarify, it didn't melt, but dissolved. Melting would make it hard again after it cooled or "unmelted", dissolved would keep it in liquid state, which it is.

Odd, too, because I still have those little rubber tips on the hose clamps just below this, and they aren't affected in any way.

Regardless, it was a major mess to clean up. And today I still have to clean up the upholstery and other places where this stuff got touched to as I disassembled the parts and transported them home to clean them up. Have to throw away a shirt, too. Will not come off the fabric no matter how I try.

 

[muc]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

I?ve replaced a few of those because they got soft and gummy but never had one as bad as yours.
I think Volvo's supplier must have had a bad run of them.
Just get a new one from your Volvo dealer.
While your in the engine compartment, check your power steering pump.
Around the same time frame Volvo also had a problem with a rubber cap that plugs a unused return line on the pump. They can go soft and tear at the hose clamp that holds them on.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

I will check that out, muc! Thanks!

took the boat out this morning, and found black spots all over the upholstery, on all my tools, everywhere.

I found out that my spray bottle of upholstery cleaner (Babe's) takes it right off, better than lacquer thinner, even. And better for the seats and environment. took it off my hands, face, and shoulder, as well.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

Here is how dirty the rest of my engine is. Never been cleaned, as far as I can tell.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

I had one do that after an overheat. I assumed it was because of the temps, but don't know that for sure. Replaced it for a couple bucks.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

dsiekman, did it harden back up after the engine cooled? Did it melt, then reharden, or did it stay melted?

That is why I describe this as "dissolved" rather than "melted". Melted will usually re-harden back up once it cools down. This is still a gooey mess.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: What is this black tar-like substance on my freshwater pump?

No, it never hardened. In fact, it is still on a couple tools, the bilge, probably the pump, an old t-shirt, etc. Bizarre. It was almost like it lost molecular stability. Big word for a Monday, huh?