Who has replaced a SW seal on a Reeflo?

[ostrow]

I have to try to do this in the next few days. Never done it before and hear it can be tricky.

Wondering if anyone local has tips/can help....

 

[mtrcyclefish]

Its not very difficult. The bad part is that your pump is out of service until the silicone dries. When you pound out the old or pound in the new just remember to use very light taps. Your pounding on plastic. I'd offer up some help if you were closer.

 

[ostrow]

Silicone dries? I thought it was just silicone grease to help it ease in.

 

[cet98]

not sure if this is the same pump as yours but maybe this will help Joel...
start it at the 5:00 minute mark....he's a bit winded in his dialog but it gives a fairly decent description of the process

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8aa3pJBjFqY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ostrow]

Thx Craig. This will help.

 

[mtrcyclefish]

I have to check the instructions again, but I believe you're supposed to use silicone caulk.

:edit:
Just checked and it does call for silicone caulk.

 

[gig]

it's tricky, if I ever have to do it again, I'll prolly bring mine to Matt at Shotank and ask him to do it for me

 

[ostrow]

Great. Thanks gig. That's too much of a haul for me. Crap.

 

[gig]

however, that video cet posted will help alot, it's always nerve racking doing this if you are unsure

 

[ostrow]

gig are you still running a Reeflo?

For me, the seal never lasts more than 14-16 months and not sure why.

I just can't understand why Iwaki or Panworld hasn't put reeflo out of the aquarium pump business. You would think they could put out a similar pump in terms of power draw, and then there would never be any worries about seals at all....

 

[gig]

I have a reeflo dart, I'm on my second one, as I screwed the first one up trying to replace the seal and just decided to go new. but the original seal lasted at least 3-4 years and the latest one is going strong for the last 2-3 years.

 

[menard]

Joel, The trick is to get the new seal to go in straight. If u dont have press to ur disposal, use vise if u have one,place a piece of wood on the seal side before u crank and press the new seal.

 

[ostrow]

Hmm. Guess who may be buying a vice....

So you crank/press it in rather than hammer it in. Seems a good idea.

 

[mtrcyclefish]

I've always hammered them in. Its just like pounding in bearings or u-joints in a car, if you've ever done something like that. Put a socket that's about the same size as the seal's outer diameter. Tap on the socket and the seal will go right in. As long as you get it started straight you'll be fine. Use light taps to start it until you're sure its started straight. Then you can tap a little harder till its fully seated and youre done. The socket trick works like a charm for getting the old one out, too.

 

[moon jelly]

O-rings!!!!!!

 

[ostrow]

Moony, I knew I didn't need to read when I saw you replied here....