It is not unusual for mechanical seals to fail. Many times mechanical seals are the first components to fail in a pumping system. They are a common cause of downtime and are responsible for time-consuming pump repairs. Mechanical seals themselves can fail due to lack of lubrication, temperature fluctuations, contamination, or simply wear and tear.
However, the failure can also be caused by issues outside of the pump which include:
- Pump running dry
- Worn out bearings
- Vibrations/misalignment
- Improper installation
Generally, mechanical seals are comprised of three parts, the stationery face, the rotating face, and a steel spring, and can be replaced by a qualified technician on-site to minimize downtime.
Here are links to mechanical seal replacement videos that you may find helpful: