Remanned Water Pump...Really?

Yes, can, replace just that oring, BUT... You have to remember, most w/ps that start to leak here will have several years and miles on them. Your pump was still relatively new so everything came apart and cleaned up nicely. It is a very different story with a pump that is 8 years old and 900K on it. That snap ring and groove will be rusted up pretty good and hard to clean on chassis. Basically the pump still has to come off. At that point, why would you put the same pump back on that only had a band-aid fix and not a full rebuild? I hope you see my point. Your case at this time does make more sense to just redo the big oring, but in general I still say it is better to replace the whole pump and be done with it.

 

I hope that pic you took is not your instal. The ring in the pic has been rolled over and maybe the source of the leak. Also I dont like the looks of that groove. Forgive my mentioning, from what machining I have done, that groove is oversized to the seal. The seal width should fill the width of the groove.

 

That seal ring shows signs it was not positioned properly in the first place. I can see no reason why any shop would not have that seal ring, either in the parts department or some mechanics tool box. That seal comes in an overhaul kit, and is not used, 99% of the time.
I have a few in my Detroit extra supply.
Even when you clean the pump, and the snap ring grove and get the seal in place properly, with a little silicone on it success is not guaranteed.
Especially if it was warranty we replaced the pump. 90% of the time even if it was not covered, the pump is not expensive.

 

I had the same leak 111 years ago. no one wanted to replace the -o-ring. they all wanted to replace entire pump.$700.00 was what Williams Detroit quoted me. bought the -o-ring & plastic back for $8.00 & put on myself. had to have stout snap ring pliers. mine had a crack in the plastic back. those water pumps will leak in the back after a short while, even if new. my weep hole started leaking a year ago & had to change it out. $200.00 at truck pro.

 

111 years ago darn your old lol

 

Didn't know they had water pumps on horses

 

should of read 11 years.

 

I can remember a few leaks when there was an "O" ring. We tried just replacing the "O" ring and cleaning it some worked most did not. I have the snap ring pliers, with the bent tips.
The newer design with the flat seal, I do not ever remember a leak there. The one in the picture, was assembled wrong.
I did see a cracked cover but the customer hit it with a hammer, he was thumping the tire and used the water pump as a bump stop for his hammer as he checked the oil.