Forums, Internal Fixtures and Fittings, Galley sink waste pump

Keith Feltham at 31/03/2010 17:21:29
My sink pump gushes water from the top seal and I assume that new seals are not available. Does anyone know where a replacement pump can be sourced and how the old one is removed from the sink?
Thanks, Keith

Wisdish at 31/03/2010 20:47:23
Hi Keith.

The bad news is that the Brass Whale 1 1/2" bilge pump that is used on many Contessas as a sink waste pump became obsolete in the 1980’s even though it works very well.

The good news is that the spares kits are still available from W.J. Gilmore, 24 Springvale Road, Ballywalter, Co Down, BT22 2RS. www.boatpumps.info. We bought one for about fifteen quid earlier this year. We found the disassembly/assembly of the pump straightforward although you have to remove it from the boat first. If you have any queries please get back to us.

Mark & Liz

Keith Feltham at 31/03/2010 22:36:28
Thanks Mark/Liz

The web site does not work but I have found a telephone number W.J.Gilmore tel: 0284 275 8865 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0284 275 8865 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and will call them.
I need to get the handle off the pump shaft to release it from the sink but can’t see any obvious fixing – does it unscrew? – As these things are rare I don’t want to use too much force and break it.

regards, Keith

Edited: Keith Feltham on 2010-03-31 22:37:03

Wisdish at 31/03/2010 22:48:56
Hi Keith,

Yes the top black plastic handle unscrews from the brass shaft. You may need to use a mole wrench protected with a suitable cloth on the shaft to hold it steady whilst you unscrew the handle. The whole assembly then needs to be removed from the galley before anything else is taken apart.

I’m not sure that the number is right – the company has recently moved which was why the website was not working – you may need to write.

Mark

Keith Feltham at 31/03/2010 22:53:50
Very helpful Mark thanks.

Keith

St Paddy at 08/04/2010 21:04:53
Hi I changed the shaft to a metric size and fitted standard seals, machined the bearing to suit, I didn’t even think about a repair kit. I really pleased with it, so much pleasure in pumping out the sink

Keith Feltham at 22/04/2010 09:04:53
The telephone number for William Gilmore was OK and he has promised to send the seals including the shaft seal. Thank you all for your help.

Martin at 30/04/2010 05:29:02
I recently had the same problem and Mr Gilmore is indeed the correct contact – he sent me an original Spares kit and the pump now works like new. the number given earlier looks correct. Any issues making contact let me know and i shall look back in my records.

michael.forrest at 14/01/2012 23:47:22
Hi, I’m trying to source the same rubber gasket but Mr Gilmore’s details no longer seem valid, i’ve tried several times and the number just rings out.

Does anyone have up to date contact details?

Failing that there is a company (FPE Limited) that makes the part but they need more details about the size etc. of the gasket and i’m currently a long way from the boat, does anyone have spec for this gasket?

Thanks a lot

Michael

Nick Martin at 17/02/2012 16:58:02
I’m having the same problem with contacting Mr Gilmore. I did get through last year and he asked me to send an e mail which I did, but then he never got back to me. I have the pump here at home and will contact Fluid Power after the week-end, and send them the seals to see if they can match them. If they can I will post details as I suspect they might do quite a brisk trade! Thanks for tracking down a firm that might be able to help.

Best wishes,

Nick

St Paddy at 21/02/2012 11:35:11
Hi That will not be cheap.

A new shaft and off the shelf seal will fix it. very easy to do. I don’t mind

07764 188815

waratah912 at 24/02/2012 21:12:26
Alternately, fit a macerator pump and eliminate the potential for blockage by food waste and the endless pumping to empty the tank for the winter!

St Paddy at 08/05/2012 08:02:07
Hi Michel

doug at 09/05/2012 21:30:42
Fluid Power can supply a suitable seal:

FPE Ltd
2 Kellow Road
Darlington
Co Durham
DL1 4YA
01325 282732

The replacement is not as deep as the original but can be packed out and works fine. Sorry I have mislaid the ref number – send the old one and they will sort it out.
Minimum charge, I think you have to buy two.

St Paddy at 10/05/2012 07:59:29
Yes I concidered that when sorting mine, but the biggist problem is the plastic cap. It’s also the bush and seal housing, and the bush wears then the shaft can move side to side and the seal is unable to accept the side movement as you pump out. That is why I went up a size.

Nick Martin at 11/05/2012 06:56:19
I sent Fluid Power the seal at the top of the pump handle and the seal at the bottom of the plunger along with the bush above the top seal. The new seal at the bottom was just a bit too big to fit back into the pump, but the seal at the top works fine. They didn’t seem to be able to replace the bush though. I have re-assembled the pump with the new top seal and it seems not to be leaking. If it still holding after our summer cruise then I will be more than satisfied! The person at Fluid Power I spoke to said he’d e mailed me with a price, but the e mail never got through. It was all, however, quickly sorted out on the phone when I called a second time.

Blueshank at 27/06/2012 21:17:31
Hi

I sent FPE my old top seal on Monday, they machined 4 new ones on Tuesday and I got them back Wednesday. It looks identical and also more substantial. Once fitted it turned my weak leaky pump into a water tight high pressure weapon. Will have to see how it lasts but first impressions are good.
I have a couple of spares. They charged me £3 each if anyone wants one let me know and for cost plus p&p i’ll send on. Very easy to fit once you get the pump out of situ.

Regards
Tim Deacon

2616C at 08/09/2018 10:34:09
Just as an update some years later Eddie Gilmore has just supplied me with an original Whale service kit for this pump which has transformed it’s performance back to original.

Mr Gilmore’s up to date contact details are;
07707 030 573
edwardgilmore@hotmail.co.uk
28 Springvale Road
Ballywalter
Newtownards
County Down
BT22 2RS

I texted him initially and then after a quick exchange of messages and sending him £20 the service kit arrived within a few days