SOLVED - 1984 60 HP Mercury water pump/flow problem

[Todd 1669]

I was not getting any water flow from the tell tale.
Replaced impeller and still nothing from tell tale except a puff of exhaust .
With the LU off I put a garden hose on the copper tube and initially there was no sign of water flow but after a minute there was good water flow from the tell tale. Im a bit concerned over the initial lack of water flow though. It seems like you have to pump in quite a bit of water just to get the tell tale to spit.
I also notice a small amount of water coming from the water jacket gasket by the top cylinder. Not much. Just a trickle.
Would the leaking water jacket cause the water pump to not pull? I will replace that gasket eventually but would rather wait unless its causing the lack of water flow. I dont want to be snapping off those bolts causing more headaches.
As the next step I plan on replacing the entire water pump and seeing if that gets things moving but would appreciate any other advice.
Compression is right at 105 on all 3 cylinders if that helps at all.

 

[racerone]

Running on muffs ?----In a test tank / tub ???-----How high is the water above the pump if in a tub ?-----Might do a quick check in the lake.-----Leaking gasket has nothing to do with the operation of the pump.

 

[Todd 1669]

I tested from the muffs to the tank then off the ramp and into the lake. No change. Water was over the water intake at least 8 inches.

 

[racerone]

Water has to be above the pump !

 

[Todd 1669]

Yes Sir.
I'm confident the water level was over the pump during the barrel and ramp test.
When on the muffs the water obviously is entering under the pump but I thought I should still see water pumping out through the pee hole if operating properly.
The old impeller and housing had some melted/crusted rubber from the replaced impeller. I cleaned up the housing best I could and reused it but I cant help but wonder how much damage does it take to have a pump failure. I did order an entire water pump rebuild kit and it should be here next week but I have a nagging feeling Im missing something important.
Possibly that the pump is actually pumping but water is getting "lost" somewhere between the pump and pee hole?
Im relatively new to outboards as Im sure you can tell so this might be a bit irrational but thats how Im wired I guess.

 

[Todd 1669]

Putting a garden hose with little nozzle and slight water pressure on the copper tube with LU removed causes water to come first out of the leg of the LU. Not the exhaust tube itself. It’s the area where the driveshaft is and surrounds the exhaust tube. After a few seconds a very slight trickle from the exhaust down tube will start. No water will flow from the tell tale until pressure is increased from the hose.
I guess I’m asking is water supposed to be coming into the actual leg of the LU or am I losing water before it starts getting to the areas in the motor where it needs to go?

 

[Todd 1669]

Follow up to 84 merc 60 water issue.

Figured I’d post the solution. Might help someone down the line.
Replaced the entire pump and that solved the lack of water issue. The old lower base had a bit of distortion so apparently it doesn’t take much to put them out of commission. It wasn’t a hard job but getting the lower base off was a pain in the arse. I had to remove the pump mounting studs then slowly work the base loose using a punch through the bolt holes. Also removed the drain plug and could pry at it a but from there.