Ole Sea Horse not pumping

[SeaHorse]

My old Sea Horse (RD14 25 Hp 1953) doesn't seem to pump water. I just overhauled the ignition and carb and got it started after 20 some years idle. I'm running it in a trash can full of water with no prop. It gets real hot after about a minute of running. Isn't there supposed to be a water squirt coming out of the powerhead somewhere indicating there's water pumping? I see no squirt and I can't find the hole it should come out of. What's the deal?

 

[JB]

Re: Ole Sea Horse not pumping

Howdy Seahorse. Your water pump isn't pumping. No surprise, they normally last one or two years whether used or not. Yours has probably turned to dust that is now spread throughout your cooling system. <br /><br />Install a new impeller. <br /><br />Also, don't put it in gear or rev it up with no prop unless you are ready to give it to the trash man.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: Ole Sea Horse not pumping

A note for after the impeller replacement: I don't think an outboard of that vintage has a tell-tale water stream from the powerhead. Look for water spray mixed in with the exhaust that vents above water.

 

[SeaHorse]

Re: Ole Sea Horse not pumping

I took the whole lower unit off and inspected the impeller. It is absolutely like new in spite of being well over 20 years old. The oring at the top of the pump housing is missing but this shouldn't affect the pumping too much. I think the problem was that I only had the water level up about 2 inches over the cavitaion plate and the pump was not under the water line. On a normal boat, the pump is 2 inches above the boat bottom which would mean the pump is underwater when the boat is in the water. The pump must be underwater to pump unless the prop and forward motion is forcing water into the screened pickup below the cavitation plate. <br /> I still don't understand the warning about running the motor with no prop. If it's pumping water, what's the harm? I need to run it several minutes to adjust the carburetor. Of course, this time I'll have the pump well under water.<br />Thanks.