Raymainre Autopilot Pump Rebuild

[belizesailor]

I have an Raymarine hydraulic autopilot system (type 1 pump). When the seals on the original pump started to leak (after almost 8 years ... not bad), I acquired a new pump (via eBay at a great price). The electric motor of the original pump is just fine, but the shaft seal for the connection between drive and pump head needs to be replaced. Otherwise the pump head is in good shape.

I tried to remove the seal and could not get it out (damaged it in the process, but needs to be replaced anyway...)

Has anyone worked on this model of pump? How to remove/replace the seal? Source for the seal?

Pic's of pump head attached.

Thanks.

[NahanniV]

Was the seal you removed something like this:

If so, easiest thing to do is take it to a bearing supply or industrial supply shop and they will match it up. You should be able to press the new one in by hand.

With this type of lip seal, you must also be sure that the shaft is clean and smooth.

Are you sure that the bearings are OK, a wobbly shaft can cause a seal to fail.

Also, you need to keep the gritty stuff in your picture out of the pump.

[44'cruisingcat]

Yep, bearing shop, or hydraulic specialist. Take the motor too, so they can get the shaft size.

The'll use a hook device to get the seal out, and it does get wrecked in the process.

[NahanniV]

Sorry, re-read your post and see that the seal is still in.

Looking at the picture it looks like a combined seal and bearing, but you will have to remove it from the other side by removing the pump.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by NahanniV

Was the seal you removed something like this:

If so, easiest thing to do is take it to a bearing supply or industrial supply shop and they will match it up. You should be able to press the new one in by hand.

With this type of lip seal, you must also be sure that the shaft is clean and smooth.

Are you sure that the bearings are OK, a wobbly shaft can cause a seal to fail.

Also, you need to keep the gritty stuff in your picture out of the pump.

No, unfortunately it is not a typical oil seal. Must be pressed in, or somehow otherwise secured.

I will probably try and get it by a hydraulic shop in the City (Guatemala City).....somewhere in the bowels of Zona 1 you can find whatever kind of service you need...finding it is the tough part.

Thanks.

[NahanniV]

I originally thought you had already removed the seal and the picture was showing the cylindrical depression where the seal had been.

After looking again I see that the seal is still in place.

Are those exposed ball bearings in the picture ?

I think you will need to get at the seal from the other side of the pump.

If that is a bearing/oil seal combination it will need to be pressed on.

Cheers,
John.

[belizesailor]

Seal is still in place. Could not get it out with picks/pushers I normally use on other seals (...was quite successful in making absolutely sure it is no longer serviceable though!).

Those concentric cylindrical recesses that you see in the second pic are where the motor mates to the pump head. The seal is recessed in the inner most ring.

No exposed ball bearings. The pump head breaks into two pieces once the 4 bolts are removed (4 bolts shown in bottom pic). This exposes the impellers and o-ring which seals the impeller cavity (all these parts are in fine shape).

The only piece which is giving me trouble is the round black seal visible in second picture. This is the seal through which the motor shaft passes. I originally assumed it was just a typical oil seal, but it refuses to come out.

[Captain Bill]

BelizeSailor, My type 1 hydraulic pump just blew a seal and dumped all my hydraulic fluid. I suspect the shaft seal you were having problems getting out. Did you ever figure this out. The unit seems to be in perfect shape except for the leaking seal. It seems ridiculous to have to trash a perfectly good pump because of a failed shaft seal.

[Dockhead]

The OEM producer of that pump is Hy Pro:

https://www.hypro.co.uk/products/hyd...-and-steering/

Might contact them directly.

The pumps and probably the parts are much cheaper if you buy them not through Raymarine.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

BelizeSailor, My type 1 hydraulic pump just blew a seal and dumped all my hydraulic fluid. I suspect the shaft seal you were having problems getting out. Did you ever figure this out. The unit seems to be in perfect shape except for the leaking seal. It seems ridiculous to have to trash a perfectly good pump because of a failed shaft seal.

Fun, fun, mine originally did the same about 50 miles from landfall.

No, have not fixed it yet. Went to one shop who could not/would not do it in Panama City, Panama. They are a Raymarine distributor and said no rebuild kit was available. Plan to give it a try again soon just out of spite...and the replacement pump has been installed for quite a few years now...I suspect its plotting a seal failure soon. Worst case will order another pump preemptively.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

The OEM producer of that pump is Hy Pro:

https://www.hypro.co.uk/products/hyd...-and-steering/

Might contact them directly.

The pumps and probably the parts are much cheaper if you buy them not through Raymarine.

Thanks for the link, will give em a try.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Fun, fun, mine originally did the same about 50 miles from landfall.

No, have not fixed it yet. Went to one shop who could not/would not do it in Panama City, Panama. They are a Raymarine distributor and said no rebuild kit was available. Plan to give it a try again soon just out of spite...and the replacement pump has been installed for quite a few years now...I suspect its plotting a seal failure soon. Worst case will order another pump preemptively.

I took out a lupe and found some numbers on the seal. It looks like it's a standard nitrile 8x16x7mm metric oil seal. I've ordered some on line and will post the results. I have a seal insertion tool, but I have yet to get the old one out.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

I took out a lupe and found some numbers on the seal. It looks like it's a standard nitrile 8x16x7mm metric oil seal. I've ordered some on line and will post the results. I have a seal insertion tool, but I have yet to get the old one out.

Thats the problem Ive run into, damn seal will just not come out.

[daveNZ]

On about 25/7/2016 (might be 29th?) I discussed rebuilding the motor of the same type 1 pump. I can't remember if I replaced the seal; I think not. But surely it is just a seal with an embedded steel ring, same as the water and oil seals on many raw water pumps. I would try and deform the steel outer ring by punching with flat screwdriver or similar, from the outside in towards the centre. Then maybe you can grab it with small needle nose pliers. Or, take the pump gear side of off again and punch it from that side. I'm sure it is a standard oil seal.

As you have the pump apart now, I would take the motor apart (easy) and put some epoxy around the arc magnets, to prevent the problem I had; the magnets cracked and came away from the outer housing, motor couldn't turn. I glued the magnets back in place and it has worked perfectly all summer.
Cheers, good luck.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by daveNZ

On about 25/7/2016 (might be 29th?) I discussed rebuilding the motor of the same type 1 pump. I can't remember if I replaced the seal; I think not. But surely it is just a seal with an embedded steel ring, same as the water and oil seals on many raw water pumps. I would try and deform the steel outer ring by punching with flat screwdriver or similar, from the outside in towards the centre. Then maybe you can grab it with small needle nose pliers. Or, take the pump gear side of off again and punch it from that side. I'm sure it is a standard oil seal.

As you have the pump apart now, I would take the motor apart (easy) and put some epoxy around the arc magnets, to prevent the problem I had; the magnets cracked and came away from the outer housing, motor couldn't turn. I glued the magnets back in place and it has worked perfectly all summer.
Cheers, good luck.

Oh Ive tried all the usual methods of getting a seal out and won't budge. Have mostly destroyed the seal, but the outter ring still won't come out.