Friend of mine with 700's has the Hardin 2 stage sea pumps. One of them is leaking oil out of the front shaft seal. He was told to install the Hardin vent equalizer to vent the fuel pumps' sump. I looked it up...

625-4176i.pdf (page 2)

This seems strange to me (I mean, I get it, but...) - we all know these fuel pumps leak fuel over time. Seems to me like this would enable a path for a fuel/lube mixture to be sent to the flame arrestor. Wouldn't that be just as bad as a leak from the shaft? Or maybe worse?? At least when it drips down in the bilge, I know the sump is likely full of fuel. Although, his seems to be leaking more than I've ever experienced.

Any thoughts from those with experience or insight?

Thanks!

The pressure probably builds enough to push out the seal and ruin it.
I doubt much, if anything, would actually be pulled up the vent tube.

I vented the oil cavities in my seawater pumps and the gear lube doesn't move up the tube. And it keeps the cavity from forming a vacuum and pulling fuel past the diaphragm seal so there is no more fuel dilution of the gear lube. And no more blown shaft seals that spray fuel soaked gear lube all over the engine compartment. In any case, having fuel routed to the flame arrestor is WAY safer than having it drip into the bilge. Your friend should replace the leaking shaft seal either way.

GF?

Thank you guys. Appreciate the feedback and experience.