Servicing your CAT Pump – Replacement Seal Kits

The lifespan of the seals in your CAT Pump will vary based on a number of factors. These include the duty cycle, liquid characteristics (i.e., pH, temperature, lubricity, reclaim), design of the system, by-pass conditions, and maintenance cycles. It’s not unusual for CAT Pump seals to perform 3-4 times longer than inferior competitor pumps due to the CAT Pump’s proprietary design and materials. First and foremost, seals can be damaged prematurely if you run the pump without water so always make sure that you have water going to the pump to help prevent premature failure of the seals.

As a general guideline, CAT Pump recommends that the seals in your CAT Pump be evaluated and serviced every 1500 operating hours. Because every carwash installation is unique, each carwash system’s maintenance cycle will differ. If the system performance decreases, check the seals immediately. If no wear is detected at 1500 operating hours, check again at 2000 hours and each 500 hours thereafter until wear is observed.

If your CAT Pump starts to leak water or loses pressure, it’s time to check the seals. When the pump is leaking water near the crank case, it’s usually the low pressure seals that need replaced. If the pump itself does not appear to be creating enough pressure, it’s possible that the high pressure seals need to be replaced. Regardless of which seals are causing the issue, it’s a good idea to replace both the low pressure and high pressure seals (CAT Pump Seal Kits come with both) while the head is removed from the pump.

If the seals in your CAT Pump do need to be replaced, you have some options. A skilled technician can perform the service for you, or you can do it yourself and save on your bottom line! For carwash operators that choose to purchase a CAT Pump Seal Kit and do it themselves, here are some guidelines to help you get the job done right.

For our example, these are the steps to replace the low pressure and high pressure seals in the CAT Pump 310. The tools required are as follows:

• Rubber Mallet - NEVER hit the pump with a standard hammer!
• T-Handle #8 Allen Wrench
• Reverse Pliers
• Seal Retainer Removal Tool

If the pump is in service, turn off the water supply and remove connections before servicing.

1. With the Allen wrench, remove the bolts on each side of the pump assembly. The head should slide directly off but may require a bit of force and some slight tapping with the rubber mallet.
2. With the head removed, inspect the plungers for black residue from the old seals. If black residue is present, clean the ceramic surface area with a fine grit steel wool and a solvent cleaner if necessary.
3. Now that the head is removed, the low pressure seals are located inside the brass retainers. Remove the seals with your fingers or by using the reverse pliers.
4. Remove the brass retainers one at a time using the Seal Retainer Removal Tool. Turn them counterclockwise until they loosen up, then you can proceed with the removal by hand. Since brass is soft, take care not to nick or mar the threads during the service.
5. After you remove the brass retainers, you will see the high pressure seals down inside. The easiest way to remove them is with the reverse pliers. They may also be removed by using your fingers or with a flat head screwdriver as well. Once you remove the high pressure seals, you are ready to start installing the new seals into the pump.
6. Using your fingers, insert high pressure seals into position inside the chambers, spring side down. The top of the seal has a smooth face and the bottom has an exposed spring.. You always want the seal installed spring side down.
7. One at a time, take brass retainers and start threading them clockwise into each chamber with your fingers, then snug them down with Seal Retainer Tool
8. Following the same process as the high pressure seals, the low pressure seals are inserted into the brass retainers with your fingers, spring side down.
9. The pump pistons should be aligned with the end pistons out, middle piston in. This will help with the alignment of the head onto the pump.
10. Gently push the head back onto the pistons. Once it is in position, use the rubber mallet to gently tap the head completely on.
11. You are ready to reinstall the Allen bolts. Start them in manually with your fingers, then snug down each side evenly with the #8 Allen wrench.
12. Remember to service the regulator/unloaded/ relief valve at each seal servicing and check all system accessories and connections before resuming operation. Valves typically require changing every other seal change.

That completes the job and your CAT Pump is once again ready for service!

Some car wash operators have asked what other seal options are available for CAT Pumps for modifying standard pumps that are built with Buna seals. Special seal configurations are ordered using a suffix after the base pump model number (i.e., 1050.0110). Low and high pressure seals, and crankcase oil seals are available silicone free. However, some parts will have small traces of silicone (less than 1%).

Below are seal options available:

• Material Code, Description, Pump Model Suffix
• FPM Fluorocarbon (Viton®) seals and O-rings .0110
• FPM Fluorocarbon (Viton®) seals only .0100
• PTFE Pure Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®) seals and Buna O-rings .0700
• PTFE Pure Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®) seals, and FPM O-rings .0710
• IPFE Pure Polytetrafluoroethylene seals (Teflon®), and Isolast O-rings .0770
• EPDM Ethylene Propylene Diene Monamer seals and O-rings .0220
• NBRS Buna-N silicone free seals and O-rings .6000
• STHT Special Teflon® high temperature low and high pressure seals .3400
• HT High temperature seal for plunger pump high pressure seals .3000
• HT High temperature V-HOT cup for piston pumps .3000
• BNG Blue-dot (non-greased) Buna-N seals with wicks for piston pumps .0300
• ST4 Special Teflon® high temperature low and high pressure seals with FPM O-rings for 240°F operation. .4410

Note: Teflon® and Viton® are registered trademarks of DuPont Dow Elastomers.

Autowash Online is your CAT Pump Specialist for sales and service. We welcome any questions that you might have regarding the maintenance and service of your CAT Pump. Contact us directly if you need help selecting the right Cat Pump Seal Kits for your car wash pumps.

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