Water pump leaking around lower motor mounts!

[Chaparralbob]

I'm having some bad luck with an old pontoon boat I recently got! If it's possible to wear out a forum, I think I'll be the one to do it!

I think I have made every mistake possible - the latest one is with the water pump. Although the telltale is squirting a very strong stream, and water is coming out of the normal places, it is also coming out of the area of the lower motor mounts. I'm sure this is not right!

The engine is a 1990 Evinrude 70HP. I bought a Sierra 18-3387 kit to do the water pump. I followed the instructions in the factory manual, but it makes no reference to the locations of the two O-rings that came in the kit. Apparently, I got them in the wrong place.

I was very careful with the impeller key, and assembled the housing exactly (I think) as shown. I double checked the water tube before finally closing up the lower unit. As far as I can tell, the water tube grommet and the grommet at the top outside of the water pump housing are in the correct place.

The kit came with a smaller diameter "thick" O-ring and a larger diameter "thin" O-ring. Can anyone please tell me the correct locations for these O-rings?

Thanks for your help with this!

Chaparralbob

 

[Daviet]

Re: Water pump leaking around lower motor mounts!

Sierra kits will fit different engines and will have some parts left over.
Running on muffs you will get water out of the exhaust housing drains, this is normal.
The tell-tale comes directly off of the water pump, if it is strong, that usually means the water pump is doing its job.

 

[Chaparralbob]

Re: Water pump leaking around lower motor mounts!

I was running on muffs. I just never noticed this happening before. Of course, I only just got this boat, and it was torn apart for most of the time I've had it. It didn't even run when I got it, at least it does run now.

3 of the 5 boats I've had were I/O's, and the last outboard was an old Chrysler 1970 70HP, about 15 years ago. The pontoon boat is the second outboard -- I'm learning!

Is there something specific about running on muffs that causes this to happen?

Thanks for your help with this!

Chaparralbob

 

[Daviet]

Re: Water pump leaking around lower motor mounts!

When the boat is in the water the exhaust housing is under water and you can't see the water coming out of the exhaust housing.
You can always come and ask questions and get the help you need, there are a lot of great people here that will help you out.

 

[Chaparralbob]

Re: Water pump leaking around lower motor mounts!

I have probably asked 8-9 questions so far about the pontoon boat I'm refurbishing. Prior to that, I had asked 6 or so questions about a Chaparral I/O that sat for 2 years when I had heart surgery.

Thanks to the help of the many kind and knowledgeable people such as yourself, I got the Chaparral running. I have gotten helpful answers to all of my pontoon boat questions as well.

I am very grateful to the people who operate this forum, and to all of the members who have helped me! I visit the forum often. Hopefully, I'll be able to return the favor some day, and keep someone from making some of the boating mistakes I have.

Chaparralbob

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Water pump leaking around lower motor mounts!

Don't worry Bob, there are 3 types of people in the world, those that want to learn, those that don't want to learn, and those that teach.

Once you learn so much you can eventually teach others and sooner or later it will happen in the boating circle, whether it be here on the forum or out on the water, you will have a chance to contribute. Good to hear you are getting things accomplished and enjoying it at the same time.