Yamaha stern drive raw water pump making noise

[ryno1234]

I just noticed that my raw water pump starts making noise after 1-2 minutes of the engine running. It continually gets louder. I pinpointed the sound and touched the pump. It was so hot it burned me. I imagine the bearings are going out.

I looked at a replacement and they are $750! The concept of the pump is a simple thing. I'm wondering if there are alternatives to purchasing this $750 pump (http://store.boatsunlimitedny.com/Raw-water-Pump/P2915_1145/).

Are there:

1. Ways to fix the pump
2. Pumps which can be purchased for other brand of out drives that would be compatible.

Any insight would be appreciated. I'm at a place in the season where days matter to make the most of the very short boating window I have left.

Thank you!

 

[Scott Danforth]

you will have to do your own research. for example, a VP crank mounted raw water pump is about $350 from VP, however its just a Johnson J5 or J6 pump which is about $140 if you buy it as a Johnson pump.

look at the pump, look for markings, and buy direct.

 

[ryno1234]

For posterity sake, I found that these water pumps are made by a company called Pentair which manufactures these pumps under the brand name of "Sherwood". There are Sheerwood repair kits available at a fraction of the cost (Paid ~$170 from ebay plus shipping as opposed to $750+), but it appears you must have a press in order to do the repair from what I understand. Luckily I have access to one.

https://www.pentair.com/en/products/heating-cooling/marine-engine-cooling/r991_sherwood_pump.html
https://www.go2marine.com/Sherwood-18655-Major-Repair-Kit
https://www.pumpvendor.com/Sherwood_18655.html

A lot of these shops appear to be gouging the customer by setting the prices quite arbitrarily it seems. I've noticed that a lot with the Yamaha Sterndrives. Every part is "Gold" and it's like the Wild West.

 

[Scott Danforth]

that is because Yamaha hasnt been supported in the US since they got sued in 1994 for patent infringement. so they can charge what the market would bare.

 

[ryno1234]

Scott Danforth and I have paid the price as an owner of this Yamaha for 10+ years. Prior to that, it was my friend's boat and I helped him build it 10 years prior to when I bought it (we tore it down to nothing) and I paid the price then too.... I just can't get rid of it after bringing it back from the dead 20 years ago.

At this point it is a Frankenstein boat with mix and match parts and a lot of "new" parts. I just can't let it go.

 

[QBhoy]

Is it pumping water ? Not sure of your particular engine and set up...but I know that some petrol Yamaha badged engines are just your average GM V6 or V8.
Cant think why it would get so hot unless it was running dry.

 

[ricovw]

When I had my Yamaha, I bought a water pump from lordco. It was the exact same. Take it in there and they will match it up. I believe the cross ref was GM pickup 1966 or something like that. Under $100 and never had an issue again.

 

[Scott Danforth]

When I had my Yamaha, I bought a water pump from lordco. It was the exact same. Take it in there and they will match it up. I believe the cross ref was GM pickup 1966 or something like that. Under $100 and never had an issue again.

I think you are confusing the raw water pump and the engine circulating pump. never us an automotive circulating pump in a marine application. the difference is marein has brass impeller and stainless back cover vs the automotive pump having a stamped steel impeller and a stamped steel back cover

 

[ricovw]

If the price difference is hundreds, I'd use it. I had 4 years on mine before I sold the boat, and kept going. I understand the longevity of the brass impeller and stainless back plate but, I'd rather just replace the water circulating pump every 5 years at under 100 than spend 800 on a drive and motor that isn't supported and is 27 years old.

 

[Scott Danforth]

since the motor that Yamaha used is a GM motor, the only difference on the circulating pump is about $10 between automotive and marine from GM. cant help that people charge 10x because the GM motor is attached to a yamaha outdrive.

however the raw water pump is what the OP is having problems with. there was no mention of the circulating pump at all.