Mercruiser water pump leak

[ladyboater]

I've been told by the repair shop I need a new water pump because there appears to be a leak causing water to enter the engine and rust the pulleys causing squeeky belts.
I have two questions, does that make sense and should it cost over $1000.00 for the job? This is in Ft Lauderdale. I think they are ripping me off because I'm a female. Also, I had the impeller/water pump replaced less than two years ago. How often does the water pump need to be replaced? This is a 2000 Searay 180 Bowrider 135 HP I/O. What is the risk of not doing the repair and just getting new belts to stop the noise?

Thanks for your time and expertise.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Mercruiser water pump leak

I've been told by the repair shop I need a new water pump because there appears to be a leak causing water to enter the engine and rust the pulleys causing squeeky belts.
I have two questions, does that make sense and should it cost over $1000.00 for the job? This is in Ft Lauderdale. I think they are ripping me off because I'm a female. Also, I had the impeller/water pump replaced less than two years ago. How often does the water pump need to be replaced? This is a 2000 Searay 180 Bowrider I/O. What is the risk of not doing the repair and just getting new belts to stop the noise?

Thanks for your time and expertise.

Welcome to iboats.....
You didn't post your engine size but it should be about a two hour job plus parts......
So yeah, they are ripping you off if a pump & belts are all it needs, imho....
The raw water impeller in the drive should be replaced at approx. 3 years or so depending on how much use the boat gets & how much sand & silt you run through......

 

[Maclin]

Re: Mercruiser water pump leak

I just want to be sure that ladyboater understands there are 2 different pumps, sounds like they may be confused.

There is a raw water pump that draws water in from the body of water the boat is running in. On your model this is in the outdrive. This is where an impeller kit should be installed every two to three years, some replace it seasonally. The cost for replacement is (usually) not considered prohibitive for the parts and labor.

There is also a water pump on the engine that circulates cooling water thru the engine, this one is on the front of the engine and is driven by a belt and pulley. The raw water in the outdrive pushes water up to the engine's water pump. The engine's water pump typically will last for many seasons before causing problems.

An engine's water pump when failing can cause the problems the mechanic is describing. It has to be replaced before permanent damage to the engine and other close-by components can occur costing way more.

Having typed all that I think Haut Medoc is right, $1000 sounds a bit high, but the part itself may run $200 or more.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser water pump leak

I've been told by the repair shop I need a new water pump because there appears to be a leak causing water to enter the engine

that's what a circulation waterpump is supposed to do. push water into the engine to cool it. on the circulation pump, on the bottom side is a weep hole. if water weeps from this hole. yes, it's time to replace it. that's why the weep hole is there, to indicate that the bush inside the pump is failing. i can see how it'd rust up yer pullys if leaking from this hole. more signs that it's time to replace this part. 1k seems a shade steep to me too.... unless ya can't remove the pump w/o removing the engine for lack of space to work....
gen2 impellers (the one in the drive) seem to last a good long time compared to their alpha1 predicessors..... after two years on a gen2 drive. i'd think yer still ok there. unless ya've run it w/o water.... that eats up impellers.... even if run for a short period of time.......

 

[rock_doctor]

Re: Mercruiser water pump leak

A grand is too much imho. What are they changing for that $1000? Are they going to do both pumps, hoses, belts and the thermostat?

You may consider trying to replace the circulating pump yourself. If you are handy you probably could do it plus it would be a good time to replace the thermostat...and a reason to buy a set of tools.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser water pump leak

I see everyone is ready to yell RIPOFF without having a clue what is going on.
IF(and that is the big word right now) you have been running in salt water and the pulleys are all rusted, they may also have to be replaced, this would not only involve more parts, but a lot more labor, as the outdrive has to come off, the front mount has to come off to access the pulleys and the engine alignment checked when reinstalled. Put that in a boat with no access and the labor goes up for all that.
If she took it to a Mercruiser dealer (assuming this is a Mercruiser and not a Volvo Penta), hopefully they are using OEM parts and the parts for the pulleys, pump, belts, gaskets for drive etc, are about $600.
Add that and 4 hours of labor at 90 to 100 an hour and you could be very close to 1K.
That doesn't even include an alternator that may have gotten water in it and causing noise.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Mercruiser water pump leak

Good points Don,

We would have to see the diagnoisis and statement of work to know if the cost is out of line.

ladyboater, I do hope the explanations of the pump involved have been helpful and have brought out the point that the mechanic seems to have a good handle on what has been going on with your boat. Don S is a qualified boat mechanic and his views are an excellent "thermometer" if you will on dealing with boat issues and marine mechanics.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Mercruiser water pump leak

Hey ladyboater,

Don't be afraid to post back with more info about the parts and labor estimate and any other symptoms you have been having. If he did not give you anything on paper then make him do that before anything else is said or done.

 

[ladyboater]

Re: Mercruiser water pump leak

Thank you all for the input. I clearly need to find out some more information and will do so. The other complication of this issue is that I am deployed (USN) in the middle east and someone back home is taking the boat in for me. They know less than I do. I will call the repair place and ask the questions that you raised and go from there. I know the mechanic did say the work required lifting outdrive to get to the problem. I'll let know what I find out. Thanks! Great website!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Mercruiser water pump leak

Well, sailor (or are you an Officer?) keep safe out there in the Gulf, okay? Hope that all goes well for you.
If you ask the questions that DonS sort of already explained in his post, the shop should understand. And since I personally know that the water in Ft Lauderdale is salty, any water leaking around the front of the engine will rust the heck out of the pulleys. Maybe to the point that they are ruined and need to be replaced. I did not realize that it required pulling the drive and removing the front motor mount to get to them though. Thanks for the knowledge Don!