water pump problems

[JW240]

hey,

on my Esab, the water pump gets stuck after a few weeks without use. To get it going again i have to turn it slightly by poking a screwdriver in the fan and then it runs again.
The pump is maybe 3-4 years old, was replaced by the previous owner.

Maybe the coolant is of the wrong type? it looks pretty old anyway. Probably corrosion in the pump or...?

What should can i do about this?

Thanks,

JW

 

[Roop]

Same problem as with pumps for central heating units. These also freeze up when not used over a period of time. I guess this problem with your watercooler will not happen if the welder is used in a professional workshop on a regular basis. I see 2 solutions: Use your welder more often or switch the cooler on every week and let it idle for a while. Another option is to add a timerswitch that switches the pump on and off on a regular basis.

I do not know what you are using as a coolant but tapwater will destroy the pump pretty quick. Have a peek here:

http://www.lastechniekwinkel.nl/index.php/cPath/48_159

Not cheap but excellent stuff. Another option is to use coolingfluid for motorcycles, e.g. Bell Ray moto cool. This does not corrode alu parts and contains additives that prevent clogging of the waterchannels in your torch.

Both types of coolants have additives that will protect the seals as this is usually where corrosion starts and have better thermal qualities.

 

[jugs]

What about std automotiv antifreeze, its ok for a mix of metals & does not corrode alu parts it contains additives that prevent clogging of the waterchannels & will also protect the seals, + its cheap.

 

[Roop]

Most automotive antifreeze contains silicates that can clog up small channels. Motorcycle engines have much smaller cooling channels.

 

[jugs]

Most automotive antifreeze contains silicates that can clog up small channels. Motorcycle engines have much smaller cooling channels.

Thanks, I did'nt know that

 

[JW240]

Ok Roop thanks for the info!

I don't know what kind of coolant is in there. not tap water, but something pretty old i guess. I have seen the Lorch stuff, maybe i should put that in after a system flush.

Antifreeze-properties is a must since my workshop isn't heated (the welding machine is too big to store in the small heated area where the water pumps/pressurewasher/compressor/paint etc is installed/stored).

 

[jugs]

Ok Roop thanks for the info!

I don't know what kind of coolant is in there. not tap water, but something pretty old i guess. I have seen the Lorch stuff, maybe i should put that in after a system flush.

Antifreeze-properties is a must since my workshop isn't heated (the welding machine is too big to store in the small heated area where the water pumps/pressurewasher/compressor/paint etc is installed/stored).

Hope your paint & solvents are in a sealed cabinet, vented to outside.

 

[JW240]

Hope your paint & solvents are in a sealed cabinet, vented to outside.

Thanks for the reminder.
it has a chimney (used to be an oil fired burner) but the ventilation could be better i guess. only have some spraycans and rust converter stuff there and a lot of WD-40 and alike stuff, never smelled anything lol, but i'll check if i can improve ventilation. I used to keep the stuff in a vented storage room in the house.
The room itself is pretty small so i just lock it when im away. no risk that children/animals get hurt. The locking is primarily because of an attempted break in though.

 

[JW240]

To follow up on this:



Just got this coolant. Abicor Binzel, BTC-15. Non conducting etc, antifreeze up to -10C (Probably enough, would have been nice if it had been up to -15, you never know). I'll flush the system and change the fluid next week. I hope the water pump problems are solved then. 5 liter is 34 euro ex VAT (40 euro inc).
The trip to my welding supplier got a bit more expensive because they had a nice Speedglas 100V for a good price

 

[scarecrow]

I have a small water pump similar to that for pumping rainwater and it also sticks last time I had to attach the drill to the end of the shaft to get it going my guess is also corrosion in the pump but nothing I can do about it if it was a problem with the motor then surely mind would have stopped years ago

 

[Sam]

I put in a little bit of soluble cutting oil seems to keep things lubed! Dont know how that would mix with antifreeze tho.

 

[shenion]

Maybe some auto water pump lube. I remember seeing it as an additive.

 

[Shox Dr]

Stick some Fernox in it. Or De-ionised water, it's the Oxygen in the water that's corroding the Cast water pump