Bell Gossett Red Circ Pump Flange Leak

**JerseyShore** · 12-18-2012, 06:47 AM

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Hi... I have an old Bell and Gossett red circulator pump for our baseboard heating system. Pump is old, but runs fine. As you can see, ump is vertically mounted.

Despite having two plumbers change gaskets, the lower flange gasket still seeps and leaks. Last week, I paid $168 for a plumber to change both gaskets. The upper gasket is fine, but after a week, the lower gasket has developed seepage and small droplets of water are beginning to appear. I tighted the bolts as much as I could.

Both gaskets are not BG OEM, I noticed on **** the BG pump comes with a heavier black gasket.

This has been driving me crazy for a number of years, so I would appreciate any advice on how to deal with this annoying problem.

Thanks!

**johnjh2o1** · 12-18-2012, 07:28 AM

There using the wrong gaskets. There is a recess in the pump that the gasket fits into.
http://www.statesupply.com/pumps-for...d-parts/bg1185

John

**JerseyShore** · 12-18-2012, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by johnjh2o1

There using the wrong gaskets. There is a recess in the pump that the gasket fits into.
http://www.statesupply.com/pumps-for...d-parts/bg1185

John

Many thanks for your reply. I was afraid of that. So the correct gaskets are circular and fit in the recess... there is no outer gasket? The flanges just bolt together with the inner gasket inside?

Again, thanks

**MACPLUMB 777** · 12-18-2012, 10:59 AM

Yes that is it !

**JerseyShore** · 12-18-2012, 12:05 PM

Today I placed an order for B&G Series 100 gasket set 118363.

I am looking for a NEW plumber to do some 2013 projects, so I will replace the wrong gaskets with these. Ouch! Live and learn!

Thanks once again!!!

**Tom Sawyer** · 12-18-2012, 05:00 PM

That's a b&g 100 and they didn't have the recessed gaskets. If the ones you have are leaking it's probably because they flange is not clean, cracked or misaligned. I have used hundreds of those gaskets over the years. They are not the problem

**JerseyShore** · 12-19-2012, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

That's a b&g 100 and they didn't have the recessed gaskets. If the ones you have are leaking it's probably because they flange is not clean, cracked or misaligned. I have used hundreds of those gaskets over the years. They are not the problem

Thanks for your reply....following up on MACPLUMB, I checked the B&G product info from MACPLUMB's State Supply link, the B&G site, and pulled up the gaskets from ****.....all state they are for the 100 Series? I watch plumbers to learn and the plumber wire brushed the mating surface, used pipe dope, looks aligned to me, and I saw the circular recess MACPLUMB is referring to.

hj · 12-19-2012, 05:17 AM

The B&G 100 DOES have the groove for the ring gaskets, (it is in the pump's body, not the flange), just like most of their other ones. They do not use face gaskets like the ones that were used here. THe problem with face gaskets is that they need perfectly flat surfaces to seal, but tightening the bolts on those thin flanges can "warp" them.

**JerseyShore** · 12-19-2012, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by hj

The B&G 100 DOES have the groove for the ring gaskets, (it is in the pump's body, not the flange), just like most of their other ones. They do not use face gaskets like the ones that were used here. THe problem with face gaskets is that they need perfectly flat surfaces to seal, but tightening the bolts on those thin flanges can "warp" them.

One last question.... should pipe dope be used on the metal flanges?
Thanks