Water coming from behind engine pulley

[natsgrampy]

89 Mercruiser 3.0 I was checking the idle speed adjustment and noticed a slight spray of water coming from behind the engine pulley. I shut the motor down and wriggled the pulley and there appeared to be play in it. Could this be a water circulation pump issue or a pulley issue?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

The pulley is just a pulley.

I don't know the pulley exactly on a 3.0. but the one's I have seen are flat in the back with a hole in the center.... and bolt to the water pump. If there is any play front to back it's in the shaft of the pump itself. Water pumps will have a small weep hole at the bottom in case a seal goes... letting you know it's time..... See if the water you see is from a small hole at the bottom of the pump. may need an inspection mirror to see it.

 

[thumpar]

Sure sounds like the water circulation pump to me. There should be no play on the shaft.

 

[natsgrampy]

Sure sounds like the water circulation pump to me. There should be no play on the shaft.

There is definitely play there, I have ordered a new one and 2 new belts while I have it apart.

There are 4 bolts on the pulley, if I remove them will I then be able to access the pump? How difficult a job is this? (true amateur here)!

Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[Scott Danforth]

If you can understand righty tighty, lefty loosey and follow directions you can change the pump.

 

[Silvertip]

For future reference --- pulleys do not have water in them hence they cannot spray water. The item the pulley is driving may have water or oil in it and the seal around the shaft that pulley is attached to may allow fluid to leak out and be sprayed about by the rapidly spinning pulley!

 

[Bondo]

For future reference --- pulleys do not have water in them hence they cannot spray water. The item the pulley is driving may have water or oil in it and the seal around the shaft that pulley is attached to may allow fluid to leak out and be sprayed about by the rapidly spinning pulley!

Ayuh,.... The day I sunk my tinbarge, the pulleys were sprayin' water by the gallons,...

Lake water of course,...

 

[Watermann]

It can be a real bear trying to get the pulley nuts off the studs. You will also need to pull the studs as most water pumps I've seen don't come with them. To turn the studs out of the old pump all you have to do is pile 2 nuts one on top of the other on the studs and then turn them out. You'll need to do the same to return the studs to the new pumps pulley mount.

 

[Grub54891]

It can be a real bear trying to get the pulley nuts off the studs. You will also need to pull the studs as most water pumps I've seen don't come with them. To turn the studs out of the old pump all you have to do is pile 2 nuts one on top of the other on the studs and then turn them out. You'll need to do the same to return the studs to the new pumps pulley mount.

I leave the belt on, loosen the nuts or bolts, then remove the works. Installing the pull get them snagged up well, then install the works, finish tightening, And test run and check for wobble.....

 

[natsgrampy]

It can be a real bear trying to get the pulley nuts off the studs. You will also need to pull the studs as most water pumps I've seen don't come with them. To turn the studs out of the old pump all you have to do is pile 2 nuts one on top of the other on the studs and then turn them out. You'll need to do the same to return the studs to the new pumps pulley mount.

Haven't taken the old one out yet, but, not really sure what you mean. I'm sure I'll be back here at that point looking for more help!!!

When I put the new one on do I need any sealant / gasket cement on the new gasket?

 

[Grub54891]

Haven't taken the old one out yet, but, not really sure what you mean. I'm sure I'll be back here at that point looking for more help!!!

When I put the new one on do I need any sealant / gasket cement on the new gasket?

I use high tack spray on the gasket. The bolts that go into the water jacket get sealer so they don't leak.

 

[Watermann]

Yeah most of us are visual learners, here's a video on nut piling to get the studs out. Your water pump should have the studs too.

 

[thumpar]

Another thing to add is to make sure you have clean gasket surfaces when you do go to install. I haven't done one on that engine but have on the 4.3l (same pump as the small block) and had to do quite a bit of scraping on the block to get all of the old gasket off.

 

[natsgrampy]

Finally had the time to do the pump. It was real bad. When I removed it, it had a ton of play in the shaft. Thanks for all the help. Removing the old pump was a little tough as when I removed the pulley, I couldn't get it off the front of the motor as the mount was in the way. I had to unbolt the pump and slide everything upwards to get it all off.

Anyway it's all done and it is so much quieter too!