New water pump and thermo - still no water

[BigB9000]

Some of you may remember this 18hp I have been working on:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=296642

Its a 1966 Evinrude 18hp (tiller)

I replaced the impeller, and thermostat. and that all the work I did to the cooling system. It uses a bronze (?) housing, so no reason to change that, as there is no damage.

So, I started it up, expecting to see some spitting water out somewhere, but nothing came.

so I ran it for a minuet, then turned it off. I pulled the thermostat cover off, and everything was completely dry in there.

So, I know the impeller is in the right direction, and I know I lined the water tube up correctly. So, where do I start?

 

[ezeke]

Re: New water pump and thermo - still no water

Make sure that the water tube is clear - you can run water through it easily if you open the thermostat housing and temporarily remove the thermostat.

Make sure that the water tube grommet is seated correctly and not pushed down by the water tube.

Make sure that the impeller pin is seated in the driveshaft and has control of the impeller.

Make sure that the air bleed at the top of the impeller housing is open.

Be sure that the water in your test bucket is above the actual water pump, not the water intake.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: New water pump and thermo - still no water

Make sure that the air bleed at the top of the impeller housing is open.

...air bleed? Tell me more. I don't see an air bleed.

Be sure that the water in your test bucket is above the actual water pump, not the water intake.

Ah. it was at the line where the lower meets the mid section, thus, being below the pump.

But, while cruising down the lake, the water isn't really below the pump is it?

 

[5150abf]

Re: New water pump and thermo - still no water

The water pumps on an outboard aren't self priming, they have to be totally submerged to pump, mine will barely pump on muffs but in the water it pumps like mad so be sure it is in enough water before you tear it apart again.

I was sure I did something wrong and tore it apart numerous times btu when I actually got it on the water it was fine.

 

[ezeke]

Re: New water pump and thermo - still no water

When you are cruising down the lake, the propeller, turning at hundreds of RPM, is forcing water into the intake screen above it.

You don't have that luxury when in neutral, so you need to get the water into the pump or it won't prime.