Evidence worth collecting before the condition changes
- Where and when leakage starts
- Seal faces, elastomers, shaft sleeve, and gland condition
- Pump and driver alignment evidence
- Suction/discharge pressure and process temperature where safely available
- Start-up, priming, flushing, valve position, and dry-running history
Questions that improve the diagnosis
- Does the pump remain primed and within its intended operating condition?
- Is leakage immediate or progressive?
- Are alignment, shaft runout, vibration, or pipe strain contributing?
- Does the seal material match the actual fluid and temperature?
What not to conclude too early
- Changing seal brand before defining the failure mechanism
- Running a pump dry for troubleshooting
- Tightening or modifying the seal arrangement without the correct procedure