Macerator Pump Leaks

[Prairie]

I have a 2010 AI 3500 and the flojet model 18550-000 macerator pump has sprung a leak. When I open the blackwater or graywater valves to pump out I get a steady drip from somewhere in the pump body. Flojet sells a service kit with new gaskets, pump body, impeller etc and I would order one but I would like to remove pump from it's mounting and inspect it to see exactly where the leak is coming from first. And herein lies the problem. The studs that hold the pump to it's mounting bracket are welded to the bracket and the self-locking nuts that hold the pump to the studs cannot be reached with a wrench of any kind (they are underneath the pump buried in rubber, shock-proof mounting material). I looked at removing the pump mounting bracket but it seems to be fastened to the sprinter frame with some kind of rivet. Does anyone have experience removing a macerator? I sure could use some help on this one.

[Titus]

On our 2013 the mounting bracket is riveted to the frame and the bolts holding the pump are welded to the bracket. But I can got to the nuts by coming down from the top with a socket wrench. I does appear difficult/impossible to get an open end wrench on them from the side. And if you can get a wrench on there is likely no clearance to turn the wrench. Are you sure the pump is leaking, and not the hose into or out of it? The outlet hose is the most likely - because it will be under pressure when the pump runs. The gasket is second most likely. Beware that you may break one or more of the studs (~ 1/8"in diameter) when trying to split the pump in two to replace the gasket.