What lube to use on pump bearing?

[macboy91si]

Hi, I was curious what kind of lubricant I could use for a tight pump bearing? I have an impossible to find almost pump that it seizing up after sitting for years. I took the pump apart and removed the impeller and used some 3-in-1 oil in there and the pump seemed to loosen right up. After a few wash cycles, it was locking up again. Now the pump never completely seizes, but becomes tight, and that causes the belt to slip. Is there anything I could use in the pump that would work. I'm assuming that water is possibly thinning the oil away? The pump bearing does not leak though. I was thinking of some sort of silicone lube?

It's for an old Hoover 0519, and it's one of those weird pinch valve pumps and they are very hard to find. The UK models use a whole different setup so importing one isn't really an option either. This seems fixable, I just think I'm using the wrong stuff.

Thanks

-Tim

 

[qsd-dan]

Maytag specifically uses turbine oil on their pump bearing. Might give it try. If all else fails, is there room to pack some grease in there?

 

[macboy91si]

Grease...

Yes, there is room to pack some grease in there. It's not a roller bearing, it's just a brass cylinder from what I can tell with a shaft hole. 1/2 way through the bearing there is a groove and a weep hole that goes to the outside. I wasn't sure if say some red high-temp grease would damage anything like it will in sleeve bearings. I'm not sure if this type of bearing classifies as a sleeve bearing or not.

-Tim

 

[macboy91si]

Yes, grease apparently...

Well, I greased up the pump bearing with some high-temp wheel bearing grease and so far so good. I ran 3 wash tub drains and the pump is actually looser than when I initially lubed it. We'll see how long it hold up, but in the meantime, I've got a Hoover to play with! Yay!

-Tim