Shaft seal leaks on sta rite pump?

the absence of the copper cone will not cause a leak, however, there is a different shaft seal that needs to be used in lieu not having the copper cone installed.

If the impeller is damaged or cracked, that can cause a leak at the shaft seal. If you replace the impeller, the shaft seal will most likely need to be replaced as well.

Remove impeller housing cover. Insert screwdriver carefully into back of motor to keep the armature from turning then unscrew impeller clockwise or opposite the direction of operation. Replace seal on impeller and pump housing. Lube seal with graphite. Replace impeller and housing cover. Remove screwdriver from motor. You should be good to go.

a suction leak will cause the pump not to prime... check the lid gasket, lid for cracks,pipes and valves. you can rap the fittings with electrical tape, to help you locate leaks.. a shaft seal is a good start, this will allow you to ree the condition of the impeller . it may be plugged, also see if there is cracks in the hair basket it will allow trash to get into the impeller

Have you opened up the wet end? If you have pine trees near you, it is probably a blocked impeller and needs to be cleaned. If this is not the case, is the pump basket full of water or air?
If it is full of water, it is either the impeller, or the motor bearing.

if it is full of air, it is an o-ring or shaft seal. more likely the shaft seal. Always check the impeller first.

Replacing a shaft seal requires some good mechanical ability.
first, always make sure power is off at the breaker before you work.
You'll have to remove the band holding the wet end to the seal plate. Then remove the diffuser covering the impeller. Remove the cover on the back of the motor. You either need a 7/16 open end wrench or a armature tool to hold the motor shaft while you unthread the impeller (if the impeller has a screw in the middle, you will have to remove it by turning clockwise, left hand threads) counterclockwise. You can then pull the carbon part of the seal off of the impeller, make sure to remove all of it including the metal sleeve. You will then have to remove the seal plate and push the ceramic part out from the back. You can then clean and lube the seal plate and install the new ceramic part of the seal, try not to touch the ceramic with your hands if possible. You can then lightly lube the impeller shaft and slide the carbon part of the seal with the carbon facing toward the ceramic as you thread it on. If the seal plate had a copper heat sink, you can either replace it or use a different size seal. (I believe it's a PS-201) Re-install the seal plate, impeller (and screw if applicable) and diffuser. You should now be ready to mate the seal plate to the wet end. Make sure you fill the pump before you try starting it up, especially with a new (dry) seal.

Did you change the seals? Whenever pump motors are replaced, the ceramic shaft (mechanical) seal should be replaced. Its also a good idea to replace the seal plate and diffuser seals.

You have to remove the back cover from the motor. Next loosen the capacitor. Put a 7/16" wrench on the shaft and the pump impeller will screw off by hand.

You need to change your pump seal. It goes on the shaft of the motor as it enters the rear housing of the pump. If it has been leaking for a while,and started to get really loud you might want to replace the motor while you got it apart.