I've tried everything (won't pee)

[impatico]

I know there are alot of problems with the no water from the telltale, but I have tried everything I could find that fixed everyone elses problem.

I have an old Merc 500 Thunderbolt, 1971ish can't seem to find a serial. I do get water out of the prop, and I can suck air through the hose when I take it off the spicket. there definatly isn't a clog in the hose or pee hole end. I took the leg apart and took a look at the impeller. looks ok, and is keyed right. If my impeller is not chewed up at all and looks good, could there still be a problem with it?

I have not had this thing in the water, just in the yard with muffs on it. Is there a chance that it might work if I put it in the lake, or a barrel of water instead? also would be cool if I could find where the serial number is

Thanks Devin

 

[Scoots]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

Your serial number should be on top/front of the mounting bracket and I believe that it is also somewhere on the powerhead. There are two things I would double check on your motor regarding the "no pee" issue. If you haven't already done so, stick a small wire up the tell tale hole. Sometimes spiders or mud wasps get up in there and plug it up. The other thing is to make sure your tube coming up from your pump lined up correctly when you put your lower unit back on. I hope this helps.

 

[mcdgary]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

I constantly had the problem Scoots mentioned with the mud wasps (we called them dirt daubers down in GA) with my 1970 Merc 9.8. A piece of 100# test monofilament or a piece of wire became a part of my O/B tools.

 

[mike1245]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

i have same problrm i use compressed air to blow mine clean and normaly i do it with foot off so it dont drop down into the inpeller and yes make sure tube is lined up rught although i dont thnk it will go back on if its not another thing is make surt impeller flaps are in right direction

 

[shankforce]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

is there a way you can presure test the water pump. The fins on the impeller could be spinning weak also.

 

[alwims]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

Put it in a tub of water. I had a 50 that would not pee on muffs no mater how high the water pressure.

 

[impatico]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

Thanks a bunch guys. I will try in a barrel today after work, and if that don't work then I'll take it back apart and recheck the pump

 

[alaskanassassin]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

Yes, make sure vanes on impeller are the right direction, water tube seals are good, check thermostat, and maybe try it with the thermostat out and see if it pumps. Definately try it in a barrel, it takes mine about 30 seconds of running to flow hard out of the pee hole, and it hardly will at all with the muffs.

 

[dbrew]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

when checking are the veins on the impellar straight when you pull it out or is it curved if it has a bend in it most of the time it looks ok but isn't if you have the lower off might as well replace the impellar you have done the hard part at least you will know your impellar is good, also just blow the end of the pee tube see if you have anything in it

 

[alaskanassassin]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

when checking are the veins on the impellar straight when you pull it out or is it curved if it has a bend in it most of the time it looks ok but isn't

Correct, if you pull the impeller out of the housing and the vanes stay mostly bent over, you should replace it.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

One other thing to mention.

Even slight scratches/grooves in the stainless cup or the wear plate will greatly affect the performance of the pump.

In general, if you don't know the last time the impeller was replaced, it should be done. Since it is already apart, might as well do the whole pump assy, seals and all.

 

[mike1245]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

i dont think there is a themostat my 1974 merc 500 dont have one

 

[1970Thunderbird]

Re: I've tried everything (won't pee)

I highly suggest submerging the lower unit in a trash can or tub and trying again. I had the same problem, and once I submerged it, the water flowed beautifully. I have a 1978 Mercury 800.

Good luck!