50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

[nomorefords]

As far as I can tell this is a late 60's to mid 70's motor S # is 2477883 I just bought this motor and it seems to run fine and when i 1st started it a lil water came out the pee hole when i replaced the impeller I found 1 of the 3 missing fins the other 2 were nowhere to be found,now no water flow. my thought is that they are lodged somewhere in the cooling system. My question is,,, can the cooling system be either blown out under high pressure, and how or what is the best way to clear it without tearing the engine apart., also gears are stuck in forward,, i can live with that, but would like to fix,, motor wont shut of with the key

I know I'll hear from you wonderful folks soon, and I thank you in advance

Thank you

Doug in Mich

 

[section8]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

that gear thing is a huge safety issue. please let us know what lake youll be on and when so we arent. lol sorta?!!?

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

You should be able to blow out the water tubes, but you need to drop your lower unit or you'll just be blowing it back into the water-pump. as for the gear being stuck, while you have it apart, try to manually shift it into neutral, if you can do that. If you can the problem is not your gearbox.

 

[nomorefords]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

Thankyou wingedwheel,, I dropped the lower unit again,, this time removing the copper water tube.from the housing and found another fin lodged at the bottom of the tube. Air seems to flow freely I'm hoping water does the same. I get all the gears by manualy turning the shift spline, and was told what position to have it in when I reassemble, which is,,,boat shifter in forward,lower unit shifter turned clockwise. Ater I finish this coffee I'm going to put it back togather.

wish me luck!!

Thanks again

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

No, No, the shift shaft in the lower unit has to be turned Counter-Clockwise against the Neutral Stop in order to be in the correct position! This is why you have only Fwd gear and is the most common issue on Mercs when doing service on the water pump.

Better still would be to shift into Neutral on the control box, and also the lower unit. Cushion a pair of Vise Grips or suitable pliers with some tape or a shop rag, and turn the shift shaft CCW until you get a 'click'. The lower unit should be in Neutral. Verify this then reinstall on the motor. You'll have to turn the flywheel a bit or get an assistant to turn it while reinstalling the L/U, to get the crank and driveshaft splines engaged.

Do Not run this thing without having a proper gearshift, as O.P's have stated this is extremely dangerous, especially when you can't turn the motor off!!!

BTW the Lightning Energizer ign system is grounded to kill spark, there are a couple of "mag kill" contacts in the ign switch that connect the contact on the mag to ground, with the switch in the "OFF" position. Check your wiring with a meter and I'd bet you either find a bad key switch or a busted wire.

HTH & Be Safe out there!........ed

 

[nomorefords]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

Thanks Ed,,, Shifting problem solved,,I'm 95 % sure I installed the L/U properly and I do have water sputtering out of the 2 rectangular ports at the rear of the engine,, nothing from the small pee hole,, and the engine seems to get warmer than I think it should. I did take the L/U to a mechanic to inspect the water pump housing to look for defects,, none detected,, when I put air to the pee hole it flows freely, Getting pretty frusterated. I dont have the cash to take it in, and the fish are waiting for me! lol

thanks again

 

[ajgraz]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

Is it not peeing only when on muffs, or even when LU truly submerged in a body of water (or a barrel of water)?

 

[nomorefords]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

well fellas,,,I did it,, droped the L/U yet once again, forced water up, down, forced air, up, down.Ran a thin wire up ,down put the copper draw pipe in the top hole before replacing the L/U with a small screw driver, it was easy to get the pipe in the bottom hole while raising the L/U

Thanks guys! you were great

that 1 missing fin really bugs me,I'll just have to keep a close eye on it.

 

[oldnhbuck]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

I'm a newbie in the middle of installing a LU now on a 90 hp merc..

I was told that the 2 rectangular ports were for exhaust when motor is in neutral and reverse......and that if you don't immediately see h2o from pee hole..you probably have a bad impeller or water pump or a bad installation of same???

just wondering and looking for clarification??

 

[nomorefords]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

hello Oldbuck

Im far from being a pro,, but becoming one very quickly, mostly due to the great fellas here at Iboats.In my humble opinion water seldom comes out the peehole instantly. The motors I have owned take from 3 to 6 seconds. dont seem like much , but when your on your knees praying to see water, seems like a lifetime.

Follow emckelvy's instructions to the tee when reassembling l/u grease impeller well, turn shaft clockwise when replacing empeller housing it will slide right on.

If your l/u is used,,, do not!!! reinstall w/o replacing the empeller

I wish you the best of luck

 

[Arkman]

Re: 50 hp Merc, Impeller fins sucked up in engine?

According to Oldmercs.com you have a 1968 Merc 500. http://store.eastcoastmarineservice.com/category_s/854.htm

I have the same year in the 200 model. I really like it but my impeller failed and took out a piston! Make sure that thing spits water!!!!

Glad you got it all fixed.