2 water pumps in 2 years

[Bubbaj1s]

I have a Farmpro 2420 that I have owned for about 4 years. After 2 years of use I had to replace the water pump. No big deal, right?

I ordered a water pump, replaced the old one, and off to work I went.

A year later, guess what? Water pump starts leaking again.
Same deal.....I ordered one, replaced it, and off to work again.
I decided this time...Maybe I didnt grease it often enough, so I made sure to grease it a little more often.
I went to a shot of grease twice a month instead of once a month.

Guess what..........a year later............Water pump started leaking again.

At this point I am MAD!
$200 a pop for a water pump, once a year is ridiculous!!

I decided at this point I was not going to put another Chinese Water pump on this thing again.

So....Being a Chevy man for half my life, and a Make it myself guy all my life I decided to go to work on a better solution.

I removed the radiator, air filter housing, and water pump. Then I studied the situation for a couple hours.

Here was my solution.

Dug out an electric Small Block Chevy electric water pump, and made an adapter plate.
I also dug out an electric fan.

I have been steady using it for about 2 weeks now, and my operating temp has been a steady 140 degrees.

I may have to replace the thermostat to a warmer one to bring the temp up just a tad, but want to wait till hotter weather.







I also upgraded to a one wire Chevrolet alternator to handle the extra draw from the electric pump, and fan.

Now if my water pump goes out (which it probably will outlast the tractor) I can go to the parts store and pick one up for $100.

 

[coolreinfarm]

Good work around that problem, it's strange how similar tractors have different problems. My 254 Nortrac is 11 years old and knock on wood has the original water pump, battery, tires, they're both Chinese.

 

[Bubbaj1s]

The only thing I can think of is: the fan may be off balance causing premature bearing failure.
No matter what the reason, I wont have that problem anymore.

 

[Bob Rooks]

You probably have a lot of casting sand left over in the block. This is exactly why people install coolant filters. You will find coolant filters on all higher end equipment. I have them on all my equipment.
Interesting work-around you came up with.
Yes, 140 degrees is too cold. Should be 185-190 degrees to help evaporate the moisture in the oil and to increase thermal efficiency.

 

[sd455dan]

I have a Farmpro 2420 that I have owned for about 4 years. After 2 years of use I had to replace the water pump. No big deal, right?

I ordered a water pump, replaced the old one, and off to work I went.

A year later, guess what? Water pump starts leaking again.
Same deal.....I ordered one, replaced it, and off to work again.
I decided this time...Maybe I didnt grease it often enough, so I made sure to grease it a little more often.
I went to a shot of grease twice a month instead of once a month.

Guess what..........a year later............Water pump started leaking again.

At this point I am MAD!
$200 a pop for a water pump, once a year is ridiculous!!

I decided at this point I was not going to put another Chinese Water pump on this thing again.

So....Being a Chevy man for half my life, and a Make it myself guy all my life I decided to go to work on a better solution.

I removed the radiator, air filter housing, and water pump. Then I studied the situation for a couple hours.

Here was my solution.

Dug out an electric Small Block Chevy electric water pump, and made an adapter plate.
I also dug out an electric fan.

I have been steady using it for about 2 weeks now, and my operating temp has been a steady 140 degrees.

I may have to replace the thermostat to a warmer one to bring the temp up just a tad, but want to wait till hotter weather.

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I also upgraded to a one wire Chevrolet alternator to handle the extra draw from the electric pump, and fan.

Now if my water pump goes out (which it probably will outlast the tractor) I can go to the parts store and pick one up for $100.

Nice upgrade, I am on my second water pump and saved the original, I finished building a hydraulic press a while back and made repairing my original the first project.
Had to order some bearings and a few seals but think i am set for the rest of my Rhino's life.

I do like your set- up sure looks to be less labor intensive to repair if you should have a problem down the road.
Well done :thumbsup:

 

[Bubbaj1s]

Nice upgrade, I am on my second water pump and saved the original, I finished building a hydraulic press a while back and made repairing my original the first project.
Had to order some bearings and a few seals but think i am set for the rest of my Rhino's life.

I do like your set- up sure looks to be less labor intensive to repair if you should have a problem down the road.
Well done :thumbsup:

Thanks. Yes I can have that pump off, and a new one on in less than 10 minutes.
Like you, I set out to rebuild mine. However I was having trouble finding the seal. The bearings were a common 6203 bearing.
Having trouble finding the seal I just decided to go this route. I can find these pumps all day long for $100 If it ever goes bad.

 

[fried1765]

Thanks. Yes I can have that pump off, and a new one on in less than 10 minutes.
Like you, I set out to rebuild mine. However I was having trouble finding the seal. The bearings were a common 6203 bearing.
Having trouble finding the seal I just decided to go this route. I can find these pumps all day long for $100 If it ever goes bad.

I did a very similar fix for the raw water pump on my 12.5KW Westerbeke generator.
Salt water was contantly corroding the water pump shaft.
The little mechanical pumps were nearly $300 a pop, and were good for maybe 100 hours.
I fabricated a simple block off plate for the mechanical pump mount.
Then I hooked up a small magnetic drive electric pump.
When the generator started producing current (immediately) the magnetic drive pump started pumping raw water.
Absolutely no pump metal to salt water contact.
Sold the boat 11 years ago, but just visited it last month.
Same magnetic drive pump is cooling the Westerbeke.