1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

[kmk89]

I have a 1959 Johnson 5.5HP that I have been trying to get running again. So far I have replaced the head gasket, spark plugs, thermostat, rebuilt the carburetor, and checked the impeller. I got it started today after a few pulls and let it run for about 1 minute but it smoked like crazy and never spit out even a drop of water from the back. I took of the thermostat cover and it was completely dry. I had it in a large barrel full of water, so there was plenty of water above the intake and when I had the thing apart, I checked the impeller and it looked new but I don't know how old it was. I don't know what the problem could be. I would hate to just throw parts at it. Any help is appreciated.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

The water pump needs to be submerged beneath the water line, not just the water intake.

Just because an impeller looks ok does not necessarily mean it is ok. If the age is unknown, I would have replaced it. How is the housing/plate? Worn at all? Be sure the water line is not pinching a grommet, and the intake is free of debris. While she is apart, also ensure with an air hose or water hose that the water line is clear.

The impeller key was reinstalled right?

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

did the impellers "arms" straighten out when you checked it? it may look new, but might have become hard over time.

 

[kmk89]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

The impeller did bend out, but did have some curve to the arms. But when I replaced the impeller on my 1958 10 HP, the new impeller was hard to get in the housing because it was so stiff and straight. Maybe it is time for a new impeller on my 5.5HP. I will try that. Is there any chance that I could have water blockage in the powerhead and not at the water tube grommet or the water intake tube? Does the water at the thermostat come straight from the water tube or does it circulate through part of the powerhead first? I just want to narrow my search down if possible.

 

[kmk89]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

I forgot to mention, the water line was about 6 inches above the water intake and the impeller "key" was in the slot provided on the impeller, so I think I was ok there.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

replace the impeller if you dont know when it was replaced last. as mentioned above, blow out the feed tube, even push a piece of weedwhacker line up through it to make sure its clear.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

One other thing to check, is the thermostat. If you don't have it apart yet, you can pull the thermostat out and see if it pumps water up to that point. Corroded and sticky thermostats can often times keep water from flowing through the system and make us think the impeller is shot. If you don't know how long it's been since the impeller has been replaced, then it's a good idea to replace it anyhow.

 

[OptsyEagle]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

The other thing to be sure about is when you have bolted up the lower unit to the mid section, shine a flashlight down the inside from the top before you put the powerhead back on to ensure that your copper tube got aligned into the water pump grommet. On those motors the copper tube needs to be guided in manually before you raise it up. It doesn't just align by itself.

To finish on the submersion level. You know where the water pump is approximately. The water level in your barrel needs to be above that. Those water pumps are not self priming.

 

[GTS225]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

Yeah.....what Optsy said about the water tube.
I have one of those too, and I found a load of crap inside the aux. water pickup cover plate. (The little rectangular, horizontal plate held on with two screws, on the side of the lower unit.) Make sure your pickup screen is clear, too.

Roger

 

[kmk89]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

Ok, so I tore it back down, replaced the impeller, poked around the water tube and behind the intake plate with a stiff wire. I didn't find any blockage so I put it back together and started it back up. Still no water. The thermostat is still completely dry. Does water circulate at all through the powerhead before reaching the thermostat? Could i have blockage in the powerhead or does it have to still be in the water tube or intake?

 

[OptsyEagle]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

Are you sure the water tube is in the water pump grommet? They need to be manually guided in that motor.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

id pull the tstat and see if that changes anything. other than that, id pull the power head, make sure the water feed tube is in the pump housing grommet, and spin the driveshaft with a drill (motor in barrel of course). just make sure you dont spray you and your drill with water. that would tell you if cooling water is getting to the powerhead.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

There are TWO water flow paths through the powerhead. Water flows through one of them whether the thermostat is open or closed. The other path is controlled by the thermostat.

What this means is water will ALWAYS flow and be discharged, regardless of thermostat status. You are beating your head against the wall, suspecting a thermostat problem. The problem is elsewhere.

 

[jere1972]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

hows the impellar plate?, any chance insects may have gotten into your water tube and nested, I have seen completly blocked tubes and restricted block passages due to insects! just a thought! not familiar with that engine, but has the power head ever been removed, some models it was possible to install the power head gasket upside down which caused passages to be blocked!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 Not Pumping Any Water

Powerhead gasket only goes on one way on these models.