water pump kit

[Jcris]

I'm doing a service on the water pump assembly. I'm replacing everything in the kit. The kit part number on the box is 817275K05 and is described as water pump upper repair kit. The instructions in the kit are labeled with part number 817275Q05 and are described as water pump rebuild kit for alpha and Vazer drives.
I'm asking because the gaskets that came with the kit don't match what came off the old pump. When I removed the old pump housing there was a fiber gasket between the plate and the gear housing. And there was a gasket that sits on top of the plate. What I received in the 5K05 kit is pictured below. The gasket on the left goes on top of the plate and is the same as the old one. The center piece is the plate. The gasket (on the right ) is metal and is not right. How in the world could it possibly seal properly? I'm thinking the kit is either wrong or somehow that kit was opened and the wrong parts were put back in it. What is going on here?
Jcris

 

[Bt Doctur]

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...n-part-numbers
27-43033-1 base gasket for GEN II

 

[achris]

It's all good. Merc changed from the fibre lower gasket to that metal one a few years ago. The difference between Q05 and K05 is the Q is for Quicksilver packaging and the K is for the Mercury packaging. Being where it is, it doesn't need to be a perfect seal. While traveling at lower speeds, the housing is completely flooded and the pump is not able to suck air. When the speed is higher and the boat is on the plane, the water flow and design of the intakes are such that there is more water available than the pump is able to move, so it's not sucking air.

Chris.........

 

[Bt Doctur]

So we are to believe a metal plate resting on a aluminum housing with a metal plate above it will provide an adequate seal to prevent air from being sucked under the plate? Maybe in a perfect world where the drives will never see water and corrosion issues with the aluminum housing .
Just had a job to file flat the housing where the gaskets go because it was sucking air at hi speed.

Just another reason to use Sierra kits 18- 3147 with a real gasket

 

[Jcris]

Well that is great information and so the learning curve continues. I find it hard to believe Mercury made such a change. I'm inclined to use the fiber washer with some perfect seal and call it good. Would it be safe to assume that Sierra water pump kits are as good as Mercury? I've read many times how staying with OEM parts is the best way to go. My experience with automotive repair parts tends to make me agree.
But thanks BT and achris. Your help is invaluable
Jcris

 

[Bt Doctur]

The sierra pumps are just as good as the merc ones, I would set the steel plate on the housing to check for flatness first. If it rocks, use a GOOD flat file

 

[Jcris]

I stopped by the local Mercury repair shop and talked with the owner who is also the mechanic. He said the metal "gasket" is what he has used since the change was made a few years ago. He also commented that the area this gasket goes on is not really meant to seal. This guy's reputation is excellent, judged from folks I know who have had work done by him . Stop the presses, I've changed my mind and will indeed use the metal gasket. With a small bit of sealant of course

 

[Bt Doctur]

What I do when I do a water pump replacement on a lower unit is put the muffs on the lower unit and check for water leaks. water leaking out is a air leak looking to get in