Impeller Issues !

[73Glasspar]

I picked up a 1978 85hp Evinrude. I knew it only needed a new impeller. I dropped the lower unit and found...Indeed..... The impeller was shot ! Not much of it was left. I proceeded to install the new one and placed the lower unit back on. Grabbed a set of muffs and fired it up. To my surprise..... NOTHING ! I know the impeller was installed correctly so...... I dropped the lower unit again. This time I grabbed the hose and placed it on the copper tube that takes the water to the top of the motor. I pulled the drain plug in the top of the head and no water was coming out. I am thinking pieces of the old impeller are wedged up inside. I took a coat hanger and bent a small hook at the end of it and proceeded to try and clear any debris. No luck If I do not come up with any new ideas........ I will have to take the motor in and have it fixed. I am the type that does not want to just pay for something if I can do it my self. Any one else have an issue like this before? And how did you solve the problem? I was thinking about compressed air from the drain hole in the cylinder head or pressurized water in the same place. To see if I might be able to blow what ever is stuck back down. The lower unit is still off at this time.

Thank you for any help!

Dave.

 

[bigrockets]

Re: Impeller Issues !

You indeed may have a peice of impeller stuck somewhere. Pull the thermostat and while youre at it replace it. It may be lodged there or the thermostat may be bad. With the service manual you may be able to see how to access the rest of the waterjacket by pulling the heads off. I would start with the thermostat since you have already checked the easy parts.

 

[Al-53]

Re: Impeller Issues !

You may have to take the heads off and exhaust covers and look for the pieces....pull the thermostats also...its a tedious job but will save you money...a shop will charge around 100 a hour labor...plus parts..all new gaskets....labor will be a minumum of 2 hours....if all goes well....

Al

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

Thank you,

Are there any manuals or exploded views on line that I can pull up ?

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

Here is what I found. Not good huh lol !

 

[Al-53]

Re: Impeller Issues !

No..thats ugly...only place for the pieces to go is in the water path.....

Some one here did have a diagram of the water path...so you could get a idea of where to look...it may have been Ezeke or Tashasdaddy...it was posted not long ago...if hey read this they may post it....

Al

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

Al,

A question...... If the thermostat is not hot and not opened.... would the water stream still come out? The reason I ask..... Is it is a good chance nothing got past the thermostat???

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

Here is what I have found...... I removed the thermostat housing and placed the hose back on the copper tube feeding it water with some pressure. No water is making its way to that point so...... my problem lies between the tube and the housing that holds the thermostat. Next question is.... how do I clear that? Does the tube pull out? Is it just a pressure fit? I don't want to pull on it and get myself in trouble. Better safe than sorry!

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

To add a note......

I took both thermostats and dropped them into boiling water. Both are opening.

 

[Fed]

Re: Impeller Issues !

The thermostats are the exit point of water from the motor, after the thermostats the water dumps into the exhaust.
To reverse flush it you would need to connect a garden hose to the head where the short black hose is connected between the head and the thermostat housing & block the head outlet on the other side. Then swap side sides and do it again.
I've never had to do this and I've not seen it mentioned here on the forums but I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work.
Water should also flow from the pee hole when you do this so you may have to block it as well to direct all the water through the motor and back down the copper tube.
I'd start off gently with the tap, let us know what happens if you give it a try.

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

I like your thinking! I was thinking along the same lines as this. What I did was pull the thermostats and the 2 other parts that are spring loaded. I did this so all ports would be open and have a good reverse flow. It was hard to tell if the water was clearing the tube out. when I finished I went back to the copper tube and put water pressure to it to see if water was exiting out of the thermostat housing. No such luck. It looks like the Outboard repair man is going to get a visit tomorrow. Sad to say I have been defeated With out any manual or torque specs...... I fear to go any further. I may have saved myself an hours worth of labor as it is going in with the lower unit and the thermostat housing disconnected. I will let you know what the $ damage is, and what he found in about a week when I get it back.

Sad....... Sooooooooooo sad

 

[Fed]

Re: Impeller Issues !

I think you're squirting it down the wrong holes.

Forget the thermostat housing, remove both of the rubber hoses and put the garden hose onto one head where you removed the rubber hose from while blocking the other head.
Then swap sides and do it all again.

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

Aaaaaaaah.......... Okay...... Looks like that is next. I will do this in a few minutes and see what happens.

I am doing all this just because I want some POWER !!! Here is what I did. I bought a piece of chit boat with an 85 hp motor. Boat was a 17' open bow. Much bigger than what I have. I have a 15' rated for 90 hp max. What fun i thought! so I pulled the 45hp off and thought this was going to be noooooo problem! What was I thinking ! LOL ! Here are a few pics.......


The boat I bought for the motor.......

My Boat receiving the new power plant.........

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

I had done as you said......... Seems allot of tiny pieces are in the heads but, nothing was breaking its way through. When I took the hose back off...... allot of tiny pieces flowed back out from the hose. I am curious....... what will I find behind this plate. I see there are about 22 bolts to remove. When I pressurized the heads..... Some water came from a few of the bolt heads. If I remove this cover will it give me a better view of what may be taking place? And is there a torque sequence to be followed? Plus what is the torque spec?

 

[Fed]

Re: Impeller Issues !

Under that plate is an exhaust plate and water flows between the two of them. The inlet for the water would be in the bottom right hand corner when looking from the rear as you would be.
Don't know the torque specs or sequence for your motor, I'll look them up for my 1988 90HP, they should be much the same.

 

[Fed]

Re: Impeller Issues !

OMC gasket sealing compound, 2 new gaskets, starting at center tighten to 60-84 inch/pounds.

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

THANK YOU !!!! Its getting dark now and looks like this will continue tomorrow. You have Noooo idea how much I appreciate the help !

 

[Fed]

Re: Impeller Issues !

When you put it back together do the centre bolts first, then the sides, then the top and bottom finishing in the corners.
Much the same as a car head, start in the middle and work your way out evenly, nipping them all first then a torque to say 30-40 inch/pounds then a final torque to the spec.
You don't want to start at the top spec straight off and run the risk of cracking the plate. I'd pull both the heads at the same time & be done with it.
We'll leave the light on for you.

 

[73Glasspar]

Re: Impeller Issues !

WOO HOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just couldnt quit! I went back at it the way you told me for reverse flush! It popped ! All clear and water is flowing nice ! Looks like I owe a few new found friends a few gallons of Beer !!!!!

THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! THANK YOUUUUUU !!!!!!!!

 

[Fed]

Re: Impeller Issues !

You can go to bed now, I'll turn off the light.