Water Pump Kit or Impeller Kit

[wendall]

Hello again ladies and gents,
So I hooked up the muffs to my motor to test run it before putting it on the boat and noticed that there wasn't any water coming out of the tell tale when it was idling. I bumped the throttle quick, waited a half a minute and no water so I shut it down.

I waited a few minutes, turned the hose up a little more and tried again with same results. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong with the muffs (what could I possibly have done wrong right?) so I set the motor in a 55 gallon drum, filled it with water and tried again. Same results. This time I put my finger by the pee hole and could feel air being pushed out of it.

So, my question is should I go full out and do the water pump kit or save some dough and just do the impeller kit? Is the water pump kit more difficult than the impeller or am I going to be removing and replacing the parts either way?

I have a manual for merc motors but my horsepower isn't included in the manual. Most things look the same in the pictures though. The motor I have is a 1986 35hp with PTT.

I am going to call the local marina and see if they have the kits in stock. If not I will probably be ordering from this site.

Any input on what direction to go or helpful tips (aka walk through of procedures) is greatly appreciated.

Go Hawks!

Wendall

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Water Pump Kit or Impeller Kit

Wendal, Normally you replace the worn parts. Most of the time it is impeller, gaskets, seals and wearplate. Inspect the upper waterpump cover. If it is scored, replace it also. If you get water in the gearcase, replace the pump base as well.

 

[wendall]

Re: Water Pump Kit or Impeller Kit

Chris,
That is pretty much what the guy at the parts store told me this morning. It's nice to know that he is being honest and not trying to sell me stuff that doesn't need to be replaced.

He has the impeller kit in stock. I am going to go grab that after work today and start tearing into her. He doesn't have the pump kit but does have or can get the housing parts and cup.

I just changed the gear lube and no signs of water so I should be good there.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[wendall]

Re: Water Pump Kit or Impeller Kit

Got the parts and swapped them last night. The thing pisses like a race horse now.

It looks like the previous owner had it replaced and used the wrong upper seal on the shaft because according to my paperwork it should have been smaller than the one he had in there.

All seems well though on the muffs.