Replacing Water Circulating Pump Mercruiser 228R

[four winns 214]

Water is dripping from the water circulating pump on the Mercruiser 228R installed in my 1983 Sea Ray SRV210. Time to replace it. It appears to be original. Engine serial #6726322.

I’m going to start this project by bathing the mounting bolts with PB Blaster over several days in hopes that it may facilitate their removal.

I have not changed a water circulating pump on a Mercruiser before, but I did change one on a V-P 5.0L last year. That was pretty easy, but a totally different set up from the Mercruiser. I’m looking for tips to help a non-professional accomplish this task successfully.

Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the circulating pump is a GM marine pump. should be the exact same process as the VP.

 

[four winns 214]

To maybe help someone in the future, here’s what I experienced.

Cutting to the chase, the drip originated from an inadequate seal between the water hose and hose flange on the pump. The hose flange mating surface was very rough and corroded and a complete seal could not be achieved no matter how tight the clamp. I tried cleaning it up, but no joy.

I could not be absolutely certain the water was not coming from elsewhere on the pump and running down to the hose/flange joint so I removed the pump. That went well. I was afraid that the mounting bolts would be hard to remove (the engine is 37 years old), but they came right out. I did spray them liberally with Liquid Wrench a couple days prior. I have no idea if that helped bolt removal.

I cleaned the bolt threads and the pump mating surfaces on the block and installed the new the pump. The rub, literally, came when I reinstalled the pulley. The back edge of the pulley rubbed on the body of the replacement Sierra pump. The casting around the pump shaft is ever-so-slightly different from the OEM pump.

The fix was to install a shim between the pulley and the pulley mount on the pump shaft. I did not know these shims existed, but was clued into them by a friend who even supplied me with one that fit perfectly. As far as I am able to tell, the shim did not negatively affect belt alignment for the alternator and power steering pump.

I backed the boat into the water and ran the engine and was gratified to see no leaks or belt distress. When the weather allows, I will launch the boat and give it a more rigorous water test that, hopefully, will be satisfactory.