Constantly losing lube on Berkeley bowl?

**347strokin** · 07-11-2008, 09:51 PM

My dad owned my jetboat before I purchased it from him.
He said he had always had a problem losing lube oil from the bowl. It's supposedly a JB pump.

There is about 20 hours on the rebuilt 455 and on the jet drive.(new seals, impeller, wear ring etc.)

When he rebuilt the jet drive, a jetboat "specialist" had suggested maybe trying to double seal the bowl to prevent lube loss.
Anyways, that is what my dad did and the damn thing is still losing.

I usually check the bowl after every hour of running time or anytime I've been on the lake. I usually find the bowl is 1/2 lube, 1/2 water. Sometimes it's even more thinned out than that.

Can anybody relate to this problem or give advice?

Are there any decent internal drawings or repair manuals on this pump?

What is the thickest lube I should try running in there(I'm running a 90 weight now)?

Thanks and sorry for the long post, this is getting frustrating!

**sleekcrafter** · 07-11-2008, 10:06 PM

The seal surface area does wear over the years, make sure it's installed correctly....as to keep the water out. There are a couple ways to help reduce the problem. 1st remove the spring from the seal, unscrew the spring, and cut a small portion of the spring off (the outer side of the spring), like maybe an 1/8th on an inch, and put it back together. Secondly you can reposition the seal in the bowl, to sit in a different location....like don't drive it all the way in the bore, drive it flush. If this does not solve or reduce the problem, a more expensive repair would be needed

**HammerDown** · 07-12-2008, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by sleekcrafter

... 1st remove the spring from the seal, unscrew the spring, and cut a small portion of the spring off (the outer side of the spring), like maybe an 1/8th on an inch, and put it back together. ..

I'm not quite understanding the above suggestion as would that not decrease tension on the seals lip?

*One thing the original posted should also double check is the end plug...I use a thin bead of silicone on the plug.

*Also keep in mind...(if) the two bowl bushings are shot and sloppy the shaft will move around and no matter how good the seal is it won't be able to do it's job.

*I get water in my bowl, usually every 3-4th trip out I'll flush the bowl with straight wt motor oil. I know water's getting in from the groove the seal made in the shaft over the years, it's not that bad to worry about.

PS don't forget the seal goes in backwards...with the lip facing you during instal.

**sleekcrafter** · 07-12-2008, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by HammerDown

I'm not quite understanding the above suggestion as would that not decrease tension on the seals lip?

In effect you would be making the spring a smaller diameter, thus increasing the seal tension.

**460** · 07-12-2008, 02:36 PM

Water cool it and never have to worry about loosing fluid again. Was one of the first things i had done when i bought my pump..........................

**Shaun** · 07-12-2008, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by HammerDown

PS don't forget the seal goes in backwards...with the lip facing you during instal.

Yep, Make sure the lip is facing the impeller. Also there are a couple types of seals (not sure how many) but one of them doesn't stand up well to boats running higher HP. Talk to MPD, he has the ones that stay put. Last time i pulled my bowl the seal stayed in the bowl and the bowl had oil in it. The time before that when i had the other type of seal, i pulled the bowl and the seal stayed on the shaft and no oil in bowl. Jack said the seal i had was good, just not for higher HP applications.

**347strokin** · 07-14-2008, 10:18 AM

Alright, thanks for the replies, either way it looks like I'll be pulling the bowl anyways.

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Constantly losing lube on Berkeley bowl?

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