Lack of pumping water problem

[toolsinbox]

I have a gm 454 with a new water pump set up in the alpha one gen one outdrive. Based on Don's frequent advice, I changed the whole pump, base and all. I filled a massive plastic jug in the driveway and hooked the earmuffs to the drive and went to fire it. the exaust risers got hot real fast and the smoke was poring out the through hull exaust pipes and a bit of flame where my wife started screaming. FIRE FIRE. lolol. I did'nt get a chance to start it again where I guess I pull off the water intake hose to see if the outdrive is pumping. I am wondering if the engine water pump is working? I heard some squeeking when it was cranking. After the FIRE FIRE episode I grabbed all the hoses and there was no water in any of them so I dont know what to do. i guess I fire it again with my wife not home and see if there is water pumping from the intake hose at the thurmostat. The engine did not get hot at all. I removed the engine intake hose and filled the block with water and it took it no problem with no steam or bubbling. I also pulled the intake hose, at the thurmostat, and sent water back to the outdrive where it quickly backed up as I am sure the impeller blocks it. I ran it for a total of about 1 minute. Its amazing how fast those risers heat up. I think the rubber exaust hoses were what were smoking. Anyway I have to go out for a bit but I will check this thread out later tonight. thanks for all your help guys.

Bondo; What hoses are you talking about? the oil hoses are routed as per manual. The water hoses are all routed like it was.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

Bondo; What hoses are you talking about? the oil hoses are routed as per manual. The water hoses are all routed like it was.

Ayuh,... I "Guessed" you had a Bravo drive....

What's with the "I filled a massive plastic jug in the driveway and hooked the earmuffs to the drive ",..??

Ya don't have a pressure fed hose to feed the muffs,..??

 

[Don S]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

I filled a massive plastic jug in the driveway and hooked the earmuffs to the drive and went to fire it.

That will never work that way. To much air with muffs to ever get water pulled up to the pump. You burned up the pump, and probably all the hoses in the exhaust system.

Why is it, that you WILL NOT post your engine and drive information. We need model and serial numbers if you ever expect to get any specific advise. I have asked before, and you just keep ignoring it ...... WHY ??????

 

[toolsinbox]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

I don't have a serial number on the outdrive as the decal has been removed. I have a generation 4 454 gm engine with no merc serial number; and an alpha one generation one from 1989. The drive has no gear lube resevoir and thats all the info I can give you as thats all I have.

I filled the big jug of water so the pickup was fully under water and I hooked up earmuffs with water pressure as well. I thought I did what it took to make sure the pump in the outdrive had water. I am 2 hrs from a lake so I was trying to get it run up for the season. Is there not a way to run this in my driveway?

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

You have a 7.4L mated to an Alpha One?

Why do you bother with a jug of water, if you have a pressurized water source and hose???

Am I the only one confused by this?

 

[toolsinbox]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

I just used the jug of water for the special effect.

 

[Don S]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

Have you checked the engine to see if there is a belt driven raw water pump? If there is one, does it have a thru-hull pickup for water?

 

[toolsinbox]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

no it does not have raw water pump. just pump in outdrive and engine block pump

 

[Don S]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

Did the engine cool before you replaced the pump? Have you checked the water hose next to the ujoint bellows for kinks?

 

[toolsinbox]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

I only replaced the outdrive pump not the pump on the engine I changed the outdrive pump last fall and that drive sat in my heated shop all winter. Yes I checked the hose for kinks and it seems to be fine.

 

[Don S]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

Do this. On muffs with water turned on, or in your tub of water with water over the pickups.

1. Locate the water hose from the outdrive to where it connects on the thermostat housing. Disconnect the hose from the thermostat housing.
2. Start the engine and see if water comes out of the hose. You should get a good solid flow after a few seconds. Do not run more than 15 seconds.
3. Raise the drive full up and look behind the vertical shaft, Is the water tube between the upper and lower connected?
4. If tube looks OK, time to open up the water pump again and have a look.

 

[toolsinbox]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

ok will do and get back to you

 

[toolsinbox]

Re: Lack of pumping water problem

Old thread but

I found the problem pretty quick when I seperated the drive. When I bought the upper it did not come with a water pickup tube. I noticed this but new all was well as I had one on my old upper. Well I forgot to switch it over.

Thanks for the help. Now I just have to figure out how to get all this old gas out of the tank safely