Technical Knowledge

A discontinued pump still needs a seal that fits. See what to measure, the three ways to source a replacement, and when to match the old seal or convert to a cartridge.

A mechanical seal should be changed on condition, not just on a calendar. See the three warning signals, the API 682 leakage limit, and where a fixed schedule still wins.

A cartridge seal that leaks on day one is usually a skipped install step, not a bad seal. Walk through the five checks that cause same-day leaks, setting clips, O-rings, gland bolt torque, sleeve condition and flush before start.

Mechanical seal vs packing total cost of ownership. Compare sticker price against leakage, sealing water, power draw, shaft sleeve wear, repack labor and unplanned stops over a continuous-duty pump life.

Most pump seal failures build over weeks through small change in vibration, temperature, leak rate and power. A logged baseline turns reactive replacement into planned work. FBU SEALS explains the early signals and how to read them.