How often do you change your outboard water pump?

[Brokenrod]

I had water pumps installed in my two Merc's. (90/65 pump & a 8HP kicker. The Merc.
mechanic said they shoud be changed once a year even if you don't use the motors. How often do you change your W/P.

[Deleted User]

Oh geeeeez, that's good to know - now. I never changed mine. Cripes. I just watch for the water indicator peeing.

[Doubletake]

I was told the same thing, every year whether you use it or not.

My last outboard was 10 years old and had the water pump replaced only once. I had the boat 3 years and when it was serviced last the mechanic said the pump was fine. As RT said, "just watch for the water coming out, if it slows down dramatically, check the pump.

Good luck,

Doubletake

[Bait O' Eggs]

I bought a used 10 hp honda when the last one got stolen images/icons/mad.gif images/icons/mad.gif

I thought it was peeing just fine until my uncle (retired boat mechanic) saw it and said it need changed. It was peeing as much as my old motor did. I tore part of it apart and it was almost corroded solid with gunk. I figured it needed more work than I was ready to do at the time, I took it to Sportcraft and they did it for around $70 (dont remember exactly) and it then had pressure like a little boy. I am glad I had it done, would hate to burn it up before somebody gets a chance to steal it.

[jet]

Hey Roy- John and I will be out on Thursday night lookin moore more crab bait hope to see you out there. So my Honda should pee like my 5 year old~~~~~~?

If it is peeing normally the pump is working right?

Jet~~~

[boater]

i put a water pressure guage on my last sled, it was a cheap insurance policy. no more guessing on when you had to change your water pump.

[bob b]

correct me if i'm wrong,what we call a water pump is just a plastic impellere connected to a shaft connected to a crank that turns to pump water thru channels to cool the engine depending on speed.the're bullet proof,except when run dry for a short amount of time or left to corrode.

[LAYthe5]

You are being taken for a ride on the money boat! If you dont run your motors dry and out of the water, your water pump impeller's should last a very long time. Watch for the tell-tale, which is the slang term for the exiting cooling water coming from the top end of your outboard motor. If thats not there in a couple of seconds after start up, shut it down and seek a mechanic. It sound's like to me that the mechanic you talked to was trying to generate some extra revenue for himself. Beware of the shade tree mechanics, because i'm not aware of impeller replacement ever being listed as an annual replacement part, at least not on any outboards Ive ever owned.

LTF

[bob b]

laythe5 is correct,your merc mechanic just tried to rip you.

[Smily]

Agreed with the last 2 posters about mechanics ripping people off. My 92' Tohatsu never has had any work done and is still pi$$ing like a race Horse!!! I have got quite a few hours on that Baby. images/icons/smile.gif Smily images/icons/smile.gif

[ 06-07-2001: Message edited by: Smily ]

[Richter]

1987 Mercury 70HP, 1995 Merc 150HP, 1995 Merc 15 HP, 1990 9 HP Suzuki. I have never changed the water pump on any of them. There is no need to. The other guys are right, the mechanic wanted some extra money.

[DK]

i agree to, a water pump will easly last a year and should last a lot longer i replaced mine at 5 years it very easy to do 80hp merc, even at 5yrs it was still in excelant shape but changed it any way just for good insurance,

[Pilar]

Different motor, same idea.

The Mercruiser 140 on 'Pilar' gets a water pump impeller every spring. Its easy to change with basic tools and $40 is cheap insurance. The impellor is a rubber star. It will still work long after the wings on the pump get stiff and less efficient.

What kills most boat motor water pumps is running them out of water. It only takes a few seconds to burn them out.

I can understand not wanting to mess with something that works well. Also the bill is steep when you hire the mechanic. But, I have had a pump go away when I really needed it so I change them out every year.

My little Merc 15 hasn't been changed since new 3 years ago. It stopped streaming so hard after just one year. This is the new Merc with the thermostat. The thermostat is corroded and the small hole that lets a little water through is now plugged. So it doesn't stream at all when idling but like a racehorse when running hard.

How many of you do the other annual maintenance on an I/O motor? Cleaning exhaust manifolds, changing zincs and greasing the U-joints and gimbal bearing in the outdrive. Also cheap insurance.

[Phish_on]

uhhhh ... never?

'course they don't make 'em like they used to! images/icons/smile.gif

[KarenLee]

useful info images/icons/grin.gif