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B4A · 25-02-2019, 11:55

Hi all,

my Spectra Newport 400 MKII started leaking from one the Clark Pump cylinder's end cap. Apparently it's a known issue, at the factory they cut the threads in the fiberglass cylinder too deep (that's what I was told by a Spectra agent).

I took off the end cap thinking that the problem was the o-ring, but the o-ring was ok. I replaced it anyways, but the leak was there.

When inspecting the cylinder threads, I could not see the crack. But I'm told that sometimes it's so small it's hard to see with naked eye.

My dilemma is that I just crossed the ocean from Cape Town to Brazil, where I'll spend a few months before heading north to Grenada. And here in Brazil shipping something to California is very expensive. Needless to say, I'm out of warranty, even if the system has only 50 hours.

Has anyone here had the same problem with the Clark Pump?
How difficult it is to replace the cylinder?
If you replace the cylinder, do you also have to replace the piston?
Do you need special tools?

It's a repair worth considering, since this is a life support system, or would it be better to buy a new Clark Pump?

Thanks for the advise!

**Tellie** · 26-02-2019, 03:30

If you are the original purchaser of this water maker this should be covered under warranty. It's a simple fix, no need for a new Clark pump. Where exactly is the leak emanating from? A pic would go a long way here.

NYSail · 26-02-2019, 03:44

A pic would be great..... however if the issue was said to be threads that were cut too deep why not just wrap some tephlon tape around to take up some of the space for the time being?

Greg

B4A · 26-02-2019, 18:30

The leak is from the Clark Pump end cap. I haven't seen the crack between the threads myself, I was in the middle of the South Atlantic attempting a repair and was hoping that it was just the o-ring.

Only after I put back the end cap and the leak was still there communicating via IridiumGo! with the Spectra Agent in South Africa, I was told that it may be a crack between the threads.

I haven't disassembled the Clark Pump again since I arrived to Brazil.

So what does replacing the cylinder entails?
Do I also need to replace the piston?
Do I need special tools?

How much does a new Clark Pump cost?

**Tellie** · 27-02-2019, 03:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by B4A

The leak is from the Clark Pump end cap. I haven't seen the crack between the threads myself, I was in the middle of the South Atlantic attempting a repair and was hoping that it was just the o-ring.

Only after I put back the end cap and the leak was still there communicating via IridiumGo! with the Spectra Agent in South Africa, I was told that it may be a crack between the threads. I agree, the cylinder threads have failed. The cylinder needs to be replaced.

I haven't disassembled the Clark Pump again since I arrived to Brazil.

So what does replacing the cylinder entails? Just remove the four Allen bolts from the base of the cylinder and it will come off.
Do I also need to replace the piston? If there is no scoring on the inside of the existing cylinder then most likely not.
Do I need special tools? Just the Allen wrench for the four bolts. You must have the rest of the tools as your pics show you've already disassembled everything but the four bolts.

How much does a new Clark Pump cost? $3,600. Fix what you have. A new pump isn't needed unless you wanted a spare.

One of the nice things about a Spectra is the ability to fix these things with a few common tools and parts.

B4A · 27-02-2019, 07:49

Thank you Tellie.

So is it simpler than replacing a cylinder in an engine? It's just a matter of taking off those 4 Allen bolts?

Do you know where I can find instructions or instructional videos on how to do it?

Are cylinders interchangeable or there is a left and right one?

According to the Agent here in Brazil I need the following parts:

a) 1 of KIT-HP-CYLA CYLINDER ASSEMBLY W/J-TUBE & FITTS.

b) 10 of SO-HPP-ECCB END CAP CENTER BLOCK SEAL

c) 10 of SO-HPP-CVP1 CHECK VALVE PORT (VITON)

d) 1 of KIT-OFFSH OFFSHORE KIT FOR

TOTAL = $ 1.460,00 including freight and taxes

Thanks!

**Tellie** · 27-02-2019, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by B4A

Thank you Tellie.

So is it simpler than replacing a cylinder in an engine? It's just a matter of taking off those 4 Allen bolts?

Do you know where I can find instructions or instructional videos on how to do it? It's straight forward. Just remove the four bolts and wiggle the cylinder off. Reverse the process when you have the new cylinder back together.

Are cylinders interchangeable or there is a left and right one? They are both the same and will work on either side.

According to the Agent here in Brazil I need the following parts:

a) 1 of KIT-HP-CYLA CYLINDER ASSEMBLY W/J-TUBE & FITTS. You already have the fittings, "J" tube, end cap, ring, and piston. All you need is just the cylinder/base. $350. Unless of course if these parts are not working. I'd also get the four check valve O-rings if the old ones are white, and four of the annular ring O-rings as well because if the check valve O-rings are white so are the annular ring o-rings and it's wise to change them out.

b) 10 of SO-HPP-ECCB END CAP CENTER BLOCK SEAL You need one, unless you are doing the other cylinder as well.

c) 10 of SO-HPP-CVP1 CHECK VALVE PORT (VITON) You need four of these check valve O-rings.

d) 1 of KIT-OFFSH OFFSHORE KIT FOR This is a personal choice, they're nice to have on board. but chances of needing any more than a few parts in this kit are rare.

TOTAL = $ 1.460,00 including freight and taxes

Thanks!

Not counting the off shore kit and shipping and taxes I'd say about $400 in materials at the most. But understand, I don't have the pump in front of me so I'm not 100% sure what the guy in Brazil is seeing and I don't want to second guess him or assume some of his charge is not labor as well.

B4A · 27-02-2019, 13:49

Thanks so much Tellie!

Another question: where is the serial and model number of the pump located?

I only see this sticker on the accumulator...

Is this the one?

**Tellie** · 27-02-2019, 16:56

There is no serial number or model number for the pump head. I can give you a part number if ordered from Spectra. But I also carry these pumps in stock. They are the 140psi mag drive pump.

B4A · 27-02-2019, 18:55

Thank you Tellie.

One thing I'm perplexed with: on a motor, I would never replace the cylinder whithout replacing the pistons rings.

But if I replace the piston bushings in the Clark Pump, then there is a chance they might be too tight in the new cylinder, in which case I'll have to do this:

https://youtu.be/jhG8bzTcl_k

What do you think?

Also, can you ship to Brazil, and if yes, how much would that cost to me?

Where is the serial and model number located on the watermaker?

**Tellie** · 28-02-2019, 04:38

Your pump is a 10% pump and does not have rings on the piston. Those are for larger 20% pumps. The piston on a 10% is a self sealing one piece part so the video does not apply to your pump. The serial numbers are usually found on the white feed pump box in the upper left hand corner.

B4A · 28-02-2019, 07:25

Thanks! Two questions:

1) I assume that 10% means that 10% of the sea water that goes into the pump comes out as fresh water when everything is working correctly. The other 90% gets flushed. How can you tell a 10% pump from a 20% one?

2) Is a good idea to replace the self-sealing piston or not?

Thanks!

**Tellie** · 28-02-2019, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by B4A

Thanks! Two questions:

1) I assume that 10% means that 10% of the sea water that goes into the pump comes out as fresh water when everything is working correctly. The other 90% gets flushed. How can you tell a 10% pump from a 20% one? Look for the six numbers stamped just above the input to the Clark pump.( xxxx-10) The last 10 represents a 10% pump. the first four are the serial numbers to the pump. All NP400's use a 10% pump.

2) Is a good idea to replace the self-sealing piston or not? You will only know upon inspection of the cylinder and piston for any scoring. If you can runb your finger nail across the cylinder scoring and it catches then depending on how bad the scoring is, you'll need to either hone these cylinders out or replace them if the scoring is too deep. In both of these cases I would replace the pistons. If there is no scoring present then no I would not replace them.

Thanks!

!!!!!!!!!!