Water pump question...Alpha1 Gen2

[mpdive]

Allright, got the new pump on and everything has gone great. Before I put the halves together, I have one question.... The plastic pipe that fits on the water pump housing has a small factory slit in it. When the white pipe slides into it, there is still an opening on the slot. Is this slit suppose to face a certain way? Is this an intentional leak point by Mercruiser?


Edit.....Im thinking that the uppercase tube goes far enough into the tube assy that the slit has no effect.
Am I right on this?

 

[Don S]

Re: Water pump question...Alpha1 Gen2

Assuming you are talking about the white tube that fits into the black tube that sits on the housing, they normally aren't slit. Probably just a defect and the split really doesn't hurt anything. It's only a guide to make it easier to assemble doesn't seal anything.

 

[mpdive]

Re: Water pump question...Alpha1 Gen2

Thanks Don. The slit was on the mouth of the black tube in the mouth area. Figuring the O rings were further down the tube, I was hoping the upper case water tube went past that area anyhow, which it looks like it did. Thanks for the quick reply. I took my time and cleaned and replaced by the book. If I did something wrong, what would be the first signs? Just curious......

 

[ksukats57]

Re: Water pump question...Alpha1 Gen2

. If I did something wrong, what would be the first signs? Just curious......

The temp gauge will keep rising and you'll overheat. Everything only goes back together if the tubes are lined up so I wouldn't worry.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Water pump question...Alpha1 Gen2

Allright, got the new pump on and everything has gone great. Before I put the halves together, I have one question.... The plastic pipe that fits on the water pump housing has a small factory slit in it. When the white pipe slides into it, there is still an opening on the slot. Is this slit suppose to face a certain way? Is this an intentional leak point by Mercruiser?


Edit.....Im thinking that the uppercase tube goes far enough into the tube assy that the slit has no effect.
Am I right on this?

The coupler, the piece that first slides onto the pump housing has the "drain". The drain is supposed to face forward. When all assembled and in the up position, any water will drain from the upper hsg cooling passages.

 

[mpdive]

Re: Water pump question...Alpha1 Gen2

Thank you Ksukat and Pete. The pic Don posted shows that little slit at the top and I faced it the same way. I was reading about pressure testing the drive and am investigating the mightyvac to see if it works both ways. I might as well do it as long as the drive is pulled. After never being apart for 8 years, the gimbal feels smooth, well greased, and the bellows are still pliable and leak free. I only have 120 hrs. on the boat. I am going to do the total job this fall. It was very easy to pull the drive off so I'm not scared of outdrives or the boogeyman any longer:facepalm: Now to order the alignment bar....Again, thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Water pump question...Alpha1 Gen2

am investigating the mightyvac to see if it works both ways.

dont buy a vacuum tester - the drive will not pass a vacuum test, in fact mercruiser does not recommend a vacuum test for their drives

the yoke seal in the upper is not designed to hold vacuum, it is the vacuum release point for the drive when warm - which is why you get milky lube when the u-joint bellows fails

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Water pump question...Alpha1 Gen2

dont buy a vacuum tester - the drive will not pass a vacuum test, in fact mercruiser does not recommend a vacuum test for their drives

the yoke seal in the upper is not designed to hold vacuum, it is the vacuum release point for the drive when warm - which is why you get milky lube when the u-joint bellows fails

I have heard that about vacuum tests... of course, it was after I built my test rigs (on the cheap). Just for SAG, I vacuum test my lower to about 5" before I pressure test it incrementally up to 15 PSIG. I pressure test each half, then bolt it together and test the unit (joint quad ring seal). I have waaay too much fun in the shop.

 

[mpdive]

Re: Water pump question...Alpha1 Gen2

Thanks Kt and Dubs. I will not vacuum test. I'll tell ya, there are some smart people at NAPA. I purchased a tire gauge with a rubber whip and brought it to NAPA and told him I wanted a pressure guage. It took him all of 5 minutes and he set it up with almost all brass fittings to avoid too many hose connections. It has the schrader at one end and the barb for the hose connection to the drive. I was pretty impressed. I have included the pic. I will pressure test it tonight. I still cant believe that tiny little quad seal is so dependable.
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond.