does the water pump always pump?

[115LET]

I am not new to boats but i am new to 2stroke outboars. I've been browsing these forums for months now and found a lot of great information. I have a question now that i havent found an answer to. It all started today when i was out on the lake. We had been sitting in the middle of the lake with the boat OFF for about an hour AFTER an extensive wakeboarding extravaganza when we were ready to head home. I started the boat and as im sure most of you do, the first thing i look at when i start the engine is the stream of water coming out the one side. This time i did not see any water at all. Luckily we drifted very close to our launching place and idled there without issue. Now when i got home i fired up the boat on the muffs and the stream was very stron. When does it not spray a stream?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: does the water pump always pump?

To answer your question accurately, it would be best to know what motor you're speaking of. All the 30hp motors and below I've ever ran had constant water pump indicator streams. However, my best friend's mercury 150hp xr7 does NOT "pee" constantly but only when the thermostat opens. Very scary to me the first time it did that until I found out this particular motor does that.
Tell us what motor you have and someone will be able to tell you for sure what your motor is supposed to do.
JBJ

 

[ezeke]

Re: does the water pump always pump?

A standard 1993 115 OMC recreational outboard should always have a steady stream whenever the motor is running because the pump is on the driveshaft which is always in motion whenever the engine is turning.

Running on muffs is a poor test of the system because some water pressure is provided by the hose, not necessarily by the pump.

Whenever there is doubt, it is best to inspect the impeller.

 

[115LET]

Re: does the water pump always pump?

its a 1993 evinrude 115

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: does the water pump always pump?

you should always have a steady tale tell stream

 

[115LET]

Re: does the water pump always pump?

would it be to much to ask for a DIY/walkthrough of impeller replacement?

 

[115LET]

Re: does the water pump always pump?

so i just watched this video on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj1c4oYpHAw
is it that simple? and what can you tell me about seals around the leg? is it just silicone? or do i need a new gasket? any info would be helpful. i have 3 days of afterwork time to make sure this is fine or no fishing trip

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: does the water pump always pump?

Should be pumping if the motor is running.

 

[115LET]

Re: does the water pump always pump?

so turns out it was nothing. i guess something got into the line a clogged it up. impeller looks good as does everything else. thanks for all the help

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: does the water pump always pump?

you cannot tell the condition of an impeller by looking at it. they run in an out of center circle, they get hard and do not flex, thus do not pump. if you don't know when it was changed, change it. they should be changed every 2 years.