1985 8hp Evinrude water system is plugged up

[ba_50]

Hi, <br />I have a 1985 8hp Evinrude E8RCob that won't pump water. It has a new impeller and is turning but has a bunch of play in it, like 1/4". It has a round key in it and I was wondering if they came out with a better one to replace it? <br />I took off the lower unit and plugged the water tube and poured limeaway in the thermostat hole twice and let it foam itself out. I also took the plate off the side the power pack is on and cleaned it out. There is some water coming out now, but not nearly enough. If I take the back plate off will there be water passages there to clean out? <br /><br />I will try limeaway again but would rather clean them out manually if possible. Thanks for any information. Bob

 

[Xcusme]

Re: 1985 8hp Evinrude water system is plugged up

I wouldn't worry too much about the 'play' of the impeller on the drive shaft. As long as the impeller itself, with the key, binds to the driveshaft it shouldn't be a problem as the driveshaft turns only one direction anyway. The more important thing is the condition of the pump housing and wear plate. If either has grooves from old impellers and are worn, it's best to replace them. As for the water tube. Try adapting a garden hose to the water pipe and sending water up the pipe to check for a good flow. If the motor has been overheated at sometime, perhaps the water tube to powerhead grommet is deformed and restricting the flow. Pulling the head of the motor should expose most of the cooling passages. You'll need new head gaskets as necessary upon reassembly. BTW, be sure you grease the driveshaft splines when you install the lower unit.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: 1985 8hp Evinrude water system is plugged up

Are you saying that the new impeller installed on the driveshaft with the key has 1/4" play on the driveshaft? If so something is amiss or I have misunderstood your post.

 

[ba_50]

Re: 1985 8hp Evinrude water system is plugged up

Hi,<br /><br />I took the cylinder head off and the side plate on the manifold. One groove was solid with sand but shouldn't have stopped the flow. I cleaned a lot of stuff out and the water started flowing better but not nearly enough. It could be back in the head like you said. I've never separated the top from the bottom and am reluctant to do so. Do you just unbolt it, clean it and stick it back on? <br /><br />There is a flat side on the drive shaft where the impeller key sits between it and the groove in the impeller. It might be normal play as that is the way it was designed. I had a 70's Mercury that had a round pin that wouldn't stay in and Merc had made a replacement for it. That's why I wondered about this one. The pin on the 8hp motor rolls across the flat spot but still turns. This is the play I was talking about.<br /><br />Someone was selling some liquid at a Florida Sportsman seminar that is suppose to cycle it out of a plastic bucket and through the motor to clean it. I don't know if it really works or not.<br /><br />Thanks for your interest. Bob

 

[BF]

Re: 1985 8hp Evinrude water system is plugged up

Hiya,<br /><br />The limeaway and whatever other stuff you may have seen at the sportshow would likely be the ticket if you wanted to dissolve salt deposits... but if it's caked with sand then I wouldn't think it do much better than a water flush.<br /><br />Oh, and from your description of the pin, it sounds like you might just have the pin lying on the flat of the driveshaft. Are you sure there isn't a round hole in the driveshaft for the pin to push into?? Half of it sticks up and you slide the slot of the impeller over it. On my OMC's that's what they're all like. Yes, on my merc the key just lays on the flat spot, so I know what you mean.<br /><br />I don't really have any suggestions, other than to say it sounds like you're headed the right way. <br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Brent

 

[jim dozier]

Re: 1985 8hp Evinrude water system is plugged up

Pull the lower unit off the engine and clamp a garden hose on the end of the water tube where it goes into the water pump. Flush out the cylinder passages with the garden hose. You have to get all that sand out of there. Go to the bottom of this web page and order a manual. I don't know how your impeller should be installed on that particular engine, but a good manual should show you how it should be. If you sucked up as much sand as you describe you may need a new pump housing also.