Vent: A simple pump seal replacement turned into a three day job

Got a call last week for a worn out main pump seal on our old 12 inch cutter suction dredge. Figured it was a half day job, tops. The manual said to just drop the suction elbow and pull the shaft. Well, the bolts on the elbow flange had basically become one with the metal after twenty years in river water. Ended up burning through two sets of cutting wheels and a whole can of penetrating oil just to get them off. What should have taken 4 hours ended up taking three full days of cutting, heating, and cussing. Makes you miss the days when you could just order a part and slap it in. Anyone else run into a job recently where the 'easy fix' turned into a major project?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenix_thompson41mo ago

Ugh, been there.

seanlee1mo ago

Man, I've had luck with a mix of acetone and transmission fluid.

jessica_ross3824d ago

@seanlee that acetone/trans fluid mix is gold, or just torch the bolts like I did.