Cat 310 Pump - Leaking Oil Quickly

[trs246810]

I have a pump that's running perfectly...no out of the ordinary vibrations...holds pressure I'm running at 1200 perfectly, but it's losing oil at an alarming rate. I'm having to add oil every other day. I know it sounds like it should be obvious to see where it's coming from, but I really can't tell. No, it's not the drain...or shaft seals. I seriously can't tell exactly where it's coming from. I know how ridiculous the fact I can't determine where such a large amount of oil is leaking from sounds laughable...and it's okay to laugh at me. I can only say it's coming from the bottom of the pump somewhere...it feels like an even coat of oil when I run my fingers under the pump. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas? I've never had this problem before.

 

[mac]

I suggest putting a pan under it to catch the oil, and a little automated pump to pump it back in. No, seriously, if it's leaking oil its because the seal right next to the crankcase where the piston comes out, is leaking. It's somewhat challenging to replace.

 

[MEP001]

Getting the oil seals out is easy, the hard part is doing it without scoring the pistons. I'll try to get some pictures next week of how I do it.

 

[trs246810]

that would be great! I'm looking for the oil seals for the 310 at kleenrite, but I'm not sure exactly which seals are the oil seals I need to purchase?

 

[MEP001]

Oil seal is part # 43228, you should replace them all while you're in there.

You'll also need (3) 43235, (3) 17399 and (3) 45891.

 

[mjwalsh]

trs246810,

Make sure the vent on top of the big red filler cap is not taped over or partially plugged. Many moons (over 3 decades) ago, when we first went with a previous version of Cat pumps, the local installing company left the tape over the vent hole ... & believe it or not it caused a similar problem to what you described. When the vent was made open ... the problem went away. If it was mine ... that would be the first thing I would check based on what honestly happened to us with a previous brand new Cat pump installation.

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com

 

[MEP001]

Did you also "fill the crankcase" to the top with oil as the sticker on the vent cap indicated?

 

[Randy]

I’ve got a Cat 310 pump that’s leaking more oil than a WWII German U boat. The pump was made in 1980 well pass it’s prime, I can’t get the ceramic plungers off plunger rod, they’re seized on. So I’m running a test to see how long it will run before it self-destructs, it’s been about 4 months now since I last put oil in it.

 

[Ghetto Wash]

I did that with a Hypro - got tired of putting oil in it and figured when it died it would force me to replace the pump. It ran about 3 months dry of oil before it threw a rod right through the case. Carwash pumps are pretty indestructible.