20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

[Lushbomb]

Hi folks,
1st off i'm a total rookie to boating and motors so this forum is a godsend!

last weekend I bought an older boat, trailer, motor package..
we started the motor in a bucket of water to make sure it ran and was pissing water. it was, so i bought it.

I took it to the lake the next day and it ran great! and was still pissing water..
4 days later (today) i put the motor into a bucket of water making sure to fill it up over the lower unit and intake.
started it up real easy and noticed right off the bat no pee pee stream.. so i shut'r down.. i sprayed the hose into the intake thinking maybe it was clogged and started it up again, still no pee pee, so i shut'r down..

just like that, it was pissing water one day, a couple later it wasn't.. what gives!?

I doubt the water pump has been changed or impeller since this guy i bought it from had it (he said 5 yrs)

1st
there is no yr on the motor its a model# J20CRC02 which I think is 84 or 89??

2nd
I can't even find a part number for the water pump or impeller??

3rd
pulling motors and the like scare me to take apart
is this an easy procedure?
i saw a sticky thread 85 water pump removal and installation but my motor looks a little different and is only a 20hp.


thanks for any help!

 

[diggin4grouper]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

can you post a pic of where you got the model number , i have looked and cant seem to find it

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

Waterlevel must be minimum 3" above the split between gearcase and leg for pump to work.
Changing pump is almost easy:
Remove the water in-take and split the shift rod. Hold the lower nut fixed, only turn the upper. Push up the upper nut when free and remove the plastic retainer on the rod. (use a thin knife in the split).
Remove screws/nut holding gear case and drop down.

 

[likitvi]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/evinrude/models_1980-present.gif

I'd read it as Canada-derated, rope-start. CO = 85.

http://epc.brp.com gives part number OMC 0393509 for its water pump kit. Most, if not all, 20-35hp models between 1984-1996 should share the same kit?

 

[Lushbomb]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

can you post a pic of where you got the model number , i have looked and cant seem to find it

2 answer the 1st 2 posts.

the image shows the model and serial # plate

and then the level at which i had the water over the motor in the bucket (all the way to the top of bucket) i think it was about 1" above the bottom intake MAYBE THAT WAS IT! i'd feel like a real turd if so..

 

[Lushbomb]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/evinrude/models_1980-present.gif

I'd read it as Canada-derated, rope-start. CO = 85.

http://epc.brp.com gives part number OMC 0393509 for its water pump kit. Most, if not all, 20-35hp models between 1984-1996 should share the same kit?

i found that code worksheet too and the numbers are not in the same order so it through me off..
strange though, there is a Canada emblem on the lower unit, but the model/serial # plate says USA as well..

hmm very curious..

seriously wondering if the water was not up far enough.. but for some reason i feel like it was that low when i tested at the sellers house.

 

[likitvi]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

You should have water at least to the lower side of the steering bracket lower housing. Exhaust housing assembly ends with a thicker section against which the lower unit mounts. Have the thicker section completely immersed and it should be enough. Based on some guesstimates on my 1980 35hp model, I'd say the water pump is completely with-in the thicker section. I had to get a 80l bucket to have enough volume.
EDIT; And oh yes, it wouldn't be surprising to find the engine to have parts looted from different donors. I installer a lower unit from 1994 20hp model into mine.

 

[Lushbomb]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

thanks Likitvi,
I definitely did not have enough water in the bucket then, u can see that grease mark in my picture, that's about as high as the water went.. shoot, i hope i didn't tweak something in there, i never had it running more than 10 sec or so..

is all the oil and grease in water normal? like when the engine is just starting up? my snowmobile of course when i'm just starting'r up smokes real good and then simmers down.. ( i like the smell of 2 stroke )

i'm gonna try it again tomorrow in a deeper garbage can.. ugh..

also, thanks for the part number and site for finding those.. i'm still going to replace the waterpump and impeller.. i need to learn!

 

[likitvi]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

These old 2 strokes are practically certain to throw some unburnt fuel and oil out at lower rpms. It should be visible on the water just as fuel on water usually. A thin, film-like surface of different rainbow-like colors. I had also leaking gear case oil, drain plug not properly tightened d'uh, and that showed as brown bubbles on the surface. I had also a clear path of oil drips on the lower unit surface all the way to the origin of the leak.

 

[Lushbomb]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

These old 2 strokes are practically certain to throw some unburnt fuel and oil out at lower rpms. It should be visible on the water just as fuel on water usually. A thin, film-like surface of different rainbow-like colors. I had also leaking gear case oil, drain plug not properly tightened d'uh, and that showed as brown bubbles on the surface. I had also a clear path of oil drips on the lower unit surface all the way to the origin of the leak.

thanks again..
i'm gonna purchase a nice taller garbage can to test this out again this afternoon.. feeling pretty dumb that i most likely just didn't have it submerged enough.. fingers crossed i didn't burn anything up.. :facepalm:

 

[Lushbomb]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

for the couple folks that pointed me in the right direction.. thank you!!
i really had no idea i needed to be submerged a few more inches.. now i know!

got a bigger can and the motor is back to urinating...
still going to replace the water pump soon as it probably needs it..

but look! it works!
this forum is awesome!!

 

[Lushbomb]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

one more question..

should it be a constant spatter/spray type flow. or should it be flowing like a faucet type flow?

 

[oldslowandugly]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

What you are showing is the exhaust bypass, which allows an exit for the exhaust and cooling water when the motor is idling and can't overcome the water pressure at the thru-hub exhaust exit. That is a good thing, but you should also be seeing a tell-tale pee on the other side at the rear of the starboard lower cover. It could be plugged up or missing. Remove the cover and look for the fitting in the lower cover below the fuel pump area. There should be a hose leading to a water jacket fitting on the port side at the exhaust cover, right near the power pack. They get clogged real easy. The tell-tale is MUCH easier to see than the bypass when you are underway.

 

[Lushbomb]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

What you are showing is the exhaust bypass, which allows an exit for the exhaust and cooling water when the motor is idling and can't overcome the water pressure at the thru-hub exhaust exit. That is a good thing, but you should also be seeing a tell-tale pee on the other side at the rear of the starboard lower cover. It could be plugged up or missing. Remove the cover and look for the fitting in the lower cover below the fuel pump area. There should be a hose leading to a water jacket fitting on the port side at the exhaust cover, right near the power pack. They get clogged real easy. The tell-tale is MUCH easier to see than the bypass when you are underway.View attachment 155469View attachment 155470

thank you!!!

i didn't know what that was.. ugh.. such a NOOOB... i noticed the "tell tale" yesterday too. and water was coming out of it.. i had no idea what it was..

 

[lindy46]

Re: 20hp Johnson outboard stopped squirting water (impeller or water pump?)

If that impeller is 5+ years old, it's time to change it anyway. You're asking for problems if you don't change it.