Mercury water pump replacement

[rowdyredneck]

I want to replace the water pump on my '96 Mercury 60 horse outboard. Its still pumping water, but the discharge stream doesn't seem as strong as it should be. I have both the service and parts manual and I feel comfortable enough to tackle this myself, but I had a question on the kit.
Most of the kits I've found online whether OEM or aftermarket don't show the O-ring for the water pump base and the oil seals below it being included. The part number for my kit is 46-812966A11. I did find one place that shows a picture including the O-ring and seals:
http://www.bountymarinedistributors.com/12095-CompleteWaterPumpKit/
Is it normally necessary to replace these items, or are they included in the OEM kit and just not shown in the picture and product description?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Mercury water pump replacement

It does not sound like you need a complete kit just the impeller kit heres a couple listed here on iboats http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind..._row=42&keywords=18-3214&**********=340170107

 

[rowdyredneck]

Re: Mercury water pump replacement

Thanks
I don't know the history of this motor since I bought it used, so I'm not sure if anything has ever been replaced. It is still pumping water but the discharge stream is rather weak. Do you think I could get by with just the impeller, or would it be wise to replace everything as a kit? I'm not sure what the norm is for water pump service on these motors.
The serial number of my motor is OG269445 and it doesn't appear to be a Seapro or Marathon. I couldn't find an impeller kit listed here for that application.

 

[DamianJP]

Re: Mercury water pump replacement

rowdyredneck


Hey I was stumped for a bit too. Someone told me if you buy the complete water pump kit, those two parts are already installed into the water pump base. Should just get the complete kit , because if your not sure how long previous mechanic let it slide, chances are it needs to be done completely. Just did my water pump too, and almost done with other things. But it took awhile cause I wasn't sure either about those two seals & didn't want to put slap it together wrong. I'm am not a mechanic , but I'll as much as possible. Iv'e got a Mercury 150 XR-4 '89


Thanks,
Damian

 

[russm]

Re: Mercury water pump replacement

Most of the time the housing seal is still good. I made a gadget to check seal pressure from a football inflator and the adaptor that srews into the lower hole where you add your gear oil. You can pump it to about 13lbs., take a soapy bottle of water, and spray around the prop seal, shift shaft seal, and drive shaft. If you have no bubbles coming out, they are still good seals.

 

[rowdyredneck]

Re: Mercury water pump replacement

There isn't any sign of water in the lower unit oil, so I would assume the seals are good...just wasn't sure if they are normally replaced. I did a bunch of research last night and found a Mercury part number for an impeller kit that includes the impeller, plate, gaskets, and water tube seal. Its basically everything minus the cover and isolater washers for about half the price of the complete kit. I'm still not sure which route to go. I would like to have the parts before I take anything apart because I don't want it laying in pieces for a week while I wait for the parts to arrive (more likely to forget how things go together); but at the same time its hard to know what I'll need without taking it apart.

 

[kwalsh]

Re: Mercury water pump replacement

I just replaced the impeller on my '99 90hP ELPTO. It wasn't that bad of a job; once I found the rubber mallet to help remove the lower unit. I did not need to replace any gaskets; they were in good shape. I used a generous amount of dishwashing soap to get the new impeller into the housing and prevent any potential damage upon its first rotation.

 

[rowdyredneck]

Re: Mercury water pump replacement

I took it apart last night, not a bad job at all. The cover shows no signs of wear and measured well within specs. I could probably get by with just an impeller but I'm going to order a kit with the plate, water tube seal, and gaskets for about $45.

 

[russm]

Re: Mercury water pump replacement

There isn't any sign of water in the lower unit oil, so I would assume the seals are good...just wasn't sure if they are normally replaced. I did a bunch of research last night and found a Mercury part number for an impeller kit that includes the impeller, plate, gaskets, and water tube seal. Its basically everything minus the cover and isolater washers for about half the price of the complete kit. I'm still not sure which route to go. I would like to have the parts before I take anything apart because I don't want it laying in pieces for a week while I wait for the parts to arrive (more likely to forget how things go together); but at the same time its hard to know what I'll need without taking it apart.

If you have a NAPA parts store around you can usually get your water pump. The one gentleman said using the soap which is a good idea. I use a light grease on most I replace because you never know how often someone will run the boat and the grease will last in the housing longer.