Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

[Bob37814]

This ole 1150 has, without a doubt, became very fun to work on....I gave it another shot today with some results, I can finally get it to pump water out of the exhaust reliefs quite good, but still not pumping out the pee hole. So far, I replaced the impeller, both gaskets, wear plate, and the bushing slinger that is on top of the pump itself. It only pumps out of the grates above the a/v plate, and the exhaust ports just below the powerhead. My guess is that I am getting closer. When I backflushed it with a water hose, (engine not running) it pees just fine. I know there isnt any clogs in the block etc. the main water tube isnt cracked, grommet in pump housing is also new. Seems to me there could be a leak somewhere or something that isnt sealing off good enough. Any ideas??? - Bob

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Bob the main exit for cooling water is the gratings. The telltale is for the operator to see, but plays no significant part in cooling. Look for a clog in the telltale hose. Remove the hose from the elbow on the head waterjacket, and see if the clog is there.

BTW - I know of no "backflush" procedure for that motor. I am not sure what you did, but you might want to be careful you do not get water into the cylinders.

 

[Bob37814]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

What I did as a backflush was hooked a waterhose to the waterpipe that connects into the pump housing. I know no water is getting into the powerhead because the engine itself gets very hot after a few minutes and I shut it down.

 

[Bob37814]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Well I do know this.....I dropped the LU again tonight and found another fried impeller So, I took the waterhose and shoved it up onto the water pipe that fits into the pump housing, and started the motor...I let it idle like that for a good hour, never got the slightest bit hot,Cool to the touch on the exhaust plate, and the cyl. inspection plates. Thats a good thing. Last time I had the LU off, I changed the impeller, gasket below and above the stainless wear plate, and the slinger seal that sits on top of the housing. By knowing whats going on now with the water hose trick as mentioned before, I have narrowed my problems down to the pump. Its funny though, The powerhead looks very clean and runs absolutely great, just refuses to ****.....I am going to order the complete kit now and try that as a very last resort. I think it contains a new housing, new base, impeller, stainless wear plate, and all necessary gaskets and seals. Its getting to be days away from summer now, Id rather to be out on the lake kicking back, enjoying my boat, rather to be cussing a screaming fit working on it in the back yard. Dont get me wrong, I am learning a lot about this ol Tower of Power, love working on it, gives me pride knowing something that a lot of mechanics wouldnt touch, and oh hell yes, I wanna know more, but its lake time now, and hoping thats soon where ill be

 

[79monarch]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Are you sure you're getting the rotation of the impeller right? And also if you're using muffs are you sure there's enough water being supplied to them? I only ask these questions because I had the same problem and it turns out I only had my faucet on 1/2 way. Luckily I caught the backward impeller before I got everything back together.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Are you sure you're getting the rotation of the impeller right?

Even if you were to install the impeller backwards, it will self correct as soon as you crank it over. Are you applying any lube to the dry impeller/housing before installing? I always use a little vaseline to keep the impeller from sticking inside the housing when first starting up.

If this is your second impeller, then you might have a blockage somewhere in the water intake. Even if the hose is on 1/2 way it should be lots of water for the pump to move.

 

[Bob37814]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

I just shoved the muffs on and went full pressure on the hose....Still no pee. Only way I can get it to pee is if I drop the LU off and put the hose directly on the copper pipe. Im quite certain its the pump assembly,therefore I am going to order the entire kit and throw all new parts at it

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Bob, when you have the LU off the next time, remove the pump base and look down into the gearcase casting toward the water inlets. sometimes barnacles or dirt can build up in this area and keep the water from reaching the waterpump.

 

[Bob37814]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Chris, I will have a look in there and see about that. I thought about it before, maybe something was blocking it from the water ports on the LU. Seems that the local marine dealer cannot get the kit I need, and iboats dosent have it in stock either. May have to get the one I found off ebay, unless you may know of another source???? 1974 Merc 1150 s/n 4114055

 

[cannonford57]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

bob the local napa store can get it through their seirria supplier...kits and all i believe....when you say a "fried impeller" do you mean blades missing or just chared or burnt?tells us a lot.

 

[blared]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Any history with the lower unit? Any repairs recently?

 

[cell]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Hows the fit between the housing,and water tube?Ive read somewhere that a loose fit caused a very low volume going to the powerhead.It was just blowing by in between the tube,and housing.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Bob, Waterpump parts for that motor are pretty easy to get. I would be surprized if you cannot get one. The impeller and gaskets and wearplate fit the MerCruiser Alpha i gen i as well, in case you have that kind of dealer nearby..

 

[Bob37814]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Yeah I was told the alpha drive kit would work as well. Matter of fact, I did get the local marine dealer here in town to check on that particular kit and he says he can get it so I told him to order it...Hoping it will be here tomorrow. During my inspection, I did notice the bottom of the water tube looks to have been messed up(possibly by me but not the point) Would it be ok to cut just a 1/16th of an inch of that tube off to restore it back possibly using a plumbers pipe cutter??? The local marine mechanic said it needed to be perfectly round, but I failed to ask him about cutting the tube.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Bob, the water tube is ordinary 1/2 copper piping. It has a custom bend in it, but you can certainly touch it up with a hacksaw or pipe cutter. The water tube fits into a rubber grommet in the exhaust extension casting. I would think it should push in a bit more, rather than bugger up. Do you have the rubber grommet in the outlet on the water pump cover? i believe that is the sane one as in the exhaust extension casting.

 

[szealuss]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Just use a tapered tool like a screwdriver where the handle is completely round and tapered and tap it back round. I have 1967 1100 and a 85 150 black max and they use the same impellor kit. Just make sure the impellor housing sleeve is still good if you just change the impellor.

It is not wise to cut the tube.

 

[Bob37814]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Ok....The new complete kit came in today...ALL new parts minus the the pump base. I got a parts bag and inside it looks something like a 3 inch long wood screw with the point cut off???? Now what exactly is that screw for?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

That screw holds the pump cover to the pump base. The rest of the attachement points are studs with nuts. Not all pumps use the screw, but I would think your 1150 would have it.

 

[Bob37814]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Interesting Chris.....And, Ill bet that screw goes into the hole at a 2 o'clock position near the water pump neck....Some moron used a 7/16 bolt there and it dosent tighten down. I didnt want to even break the seal on the parts bags until I was certain what that screw was for, plus I had to set it aside for a couple days because of lawnmower problems, but hoping dearly to get back at it tomorrow afternoon, Would have liked to get on it sooner but its been near 100 degrees here in East Tennessee, one minute so hot you cant stand it, next minute rain like crazy. Cross your fingers for me guys, I'm hoping this;ll get me tower back in the water.....Not doing me any good here on land

 

[Bob37814]

Re: Merc 1150 water pump problems Chris1956?

Alllllllllllllllllrighty now!!!!!!!! Fellas, installed new pump kit and all new goodies dealing with the water pump assy. I have not been on in a while(very busy at work) But I got a couple hours free today, dodging rain showers and lightning of course....my luck. Well....I did however find broken pieces of shredded impeller down in the LU under the pump base, cleared them out, built a new water pump, installed LU, hooked up the hose/muffs, fired her over and within a few secs....PEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! Hallaluiah!!!!!!!!!!! Weekend before the 4th, and not a moment too damn soon if you ask me. Ran it for a good 30 minutes, never got hot, never coughed. However I did notice the gasket on the rear water jacket leaks, nothing a little permatex indian head gasket shellac wont fix in a pinch. I'll start back on it tomorrow giving it a linc n sync per the Clams Canino method, install and refill the trim/tilt unit, put on my new wheels and tires, haul it 2 miles to the ramp and see what shes got. I've never experienced what a I6 115 is capable of on a 16.5 foot walk thru windshield