Should I replace water pump myself??

J

JDBob35a

Recruit
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Messages
3
Looking for some advice, I have a 1991 Johnson 60 that I've owned for 3 years now, I've never put a water pump in it and the previous owner had it for the two years prior and he never put a pump in it either. I want to replace it to avoid problems.
What I'm unsure about is whether I should attempt it myself? I have a considerable amout of mechanical experience on cars, tractors, etc. NO experience working on outboards.
The shop I use for my outboard repairs says it will be about a month before they could get it back to me.
Any advice? Should I give it a try?
I have the service manual for it and looked at the pump replacement section, doesn't look too bad but I've got myself into messes before.

Thanks
Bob
 
bktheking

bktheking

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
5,057
Re: Should I replace water pump myself??

Go for it, impellers are super easy to replace, if you live in or around Ottawa Ontario grab a six pack and i'll help you change your first one. If not grab a manual or check the web on how to do it, I changed one on my 9.9 in an hour, change my buddies 40 big twin in 1.5 hours.
 
kenmyfam

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: Should I replace water pump myself??

Not a difficult job at all really. Suggest getting yourself a manual for your motor though. Remember to disconnect the shift linkage and the bolt that is underneath the fin (if applicable on your motor) and you should have no issues. Post any other questions you have out here and you will get all kinds of help.
Welcome to iboats.
 
J

JDBob35a

Recruit
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Messages
3
Re: Should I replace water pump myself??

Thanks for the replies, makes me a little more confident tackling this myself.
I have a OMC or Johnson factory service manual I picked up on Ebay when I bought the boat and it has a procedure for servicing the water pump.
I guess disconnecting the shift linkage will be covered in there also.
Another question I had was do I need to change just the immpeller, OR the entire pump housing?

I looked at the motor last night and the paint on the lower unit has never been seperated where it would have been split if a pump had been replaced in the past, Is it possible a 1991 motor has never had the pump replaced??

Thanks
Bob
 
bktheking

bktheking

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
5,057
Re: Should I replace water pump myself??

It is possible it's never been replaced, some people are just not maintenance freaks like me and you. On the motors I've worked on either the lower unit drops when put into reverse to gain access to the shift linkage, on the larger motors the linkage is up by the powerhead and on the older motors their is an access cover. When you get the lower unit in a vise, remove the o-ring at the top of the driveshaft (they say replace it) remove the bolts or screws that hold the pump housing onto the lower unit and lift the pump up and off the driveshaft. The pump will seperate, the top will be plastic and the bottom metal, inspect the housing for cracks and the plate for excessive wear. Also look at the housing where the grommets are for the water tube(s), make sure they are not folded in.
 
KurtG

KurtG

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 27, 2007
Messages
323
Re: Should I replace water pump myself??

The most difficult part might be getting the bolts out of the lower unit to drop it. Soak the heck out of them with PB Blaster and don't put much force on them.

I spent some $$ at a machine shop having a couple of mine drilled out.

Now I plan to remove the bolts and put anti-seize on them as part of fall maintenance.

You won't really know what needs replacing until you pull it apart. I had to replace oil seals and a pitted pump base as well as the gaskets and impeller.
 
M

Miroash

Banned
Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Messages
126
Re: Should I replace water pump myself??

I did my first water pump on a 90hp Johnson about 6 months ago. The repair place wanted $300 to do it so I decided to give it a try my self. I bought the motor used and the guy I bought it from said he just changed it the week before, but I wanted to do it just for my own piece of mind. Well as it turns out it was a good thing I did, because it looked like that thing had never been changed, it was fused to the shaft and horribly worn out. I think it would have taken me about 45 mins to do the whole thing had the impeller not been stuck to the shaft. All things considered though, Im glad I decided to do it because now I dont have to pay someone to do something that turned out to be quite easy. If I were you I would purchase the entire kit (including the housing) so you have everything there when you start (after all it's been at least 5 years since it was apart), if you dont need it then you can save it for when you do need it. and you will be glad you didnt pay someone to do something you can do yourself. The money you save can pay for a full tank of fuel or more.
 
J

JDBob35a

Recruit
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Messages
3
Re: Should I replace water pump myself??

Well you guys have talked me into it, I'm going to order a pump kit and give it a go.
My boats equiped with a water pressure guage, any idea how man psi it shoudl be pumping at idle?
Right now it shows about 4-5, goes up from there with RPM's to about 10 psi.
Looked in my manual but I couldn't find anything about the pressure in there.

Thanks
Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top