Perkins 215c sea water pump failure

[keith2992]

Have had a strange failure on a customers engine.
The sea water pump shaft has sheared in two.
Impeller still good, bearings good, no damage to gear drive.
Anyone got any ideas as of root cause?
Only thing iv not checked for yet is any blockages in the coolers or pipework. But usually if there's excess back pressure the impeller splines strip.
Would hate to fit a new pump only for it to happen again.
I don't believe alignment is a factor as it isn't adjustable. Pump is flange/clamp mounted.

 

[Lepke]

Probably a bad shaft. If alignment was bad the seals and bearings usually go first.

 

[keith2992]

Probably a bad shaft. If alignment was bad the seals and bearings usually go first.

Aye that's exactly what I was thinking, about all it can be really, just unusual. New pump is on now and running so hopefully don't hear anymore about it!