Thanks,
Ricky for your advice... I already have tried that.The pump seems to be fine.
Once I even fixed a leaking Hoovermatic pump by cutting a hole in the middle of a large suction cap (the type used for plastic soap dishes and such) was only hoping for it to be temporary solution. hoping that it leaked a little less, but expected it would leak even more!! As far as I know it is still going strong never leaking one drop since. Used both the worn rubber seal and the 'modified' suction cap.