Kicker Waterpump

GutshotApe · 05-07-2003, 06:18 AM

My 15hp Evinrude no longer emits a steady stream from the hole on the back corner...at a slow troll it slowly drips individual drops of warm water. When revved up the flow increases but is still just a trickle.

After finding there would be a 2 to 3 week wait for the shop mechanic to fix it, I bought an official Evinrude waterpump kit from Mel's Marine Svc. yesterday. The guy said it would be straight forward...just remove the 6 bolts, then there would be a couple more going horizontal...take one out all the way...then I'd readily see what to do next. I opened the kit box and find a bunch of small parts, grommets, gaskets, etc. and no instructions.

I've never taken a lower unit apart before...anyone got any tips or pointers?
:whazzup:

[ 05-07-2003, 07:19 AM: Message edited by: GutshotApe ]

Smj · 05-07-2003, 06:32 AM

GSA, You might check to see if there's a blockage just inside the telltale. I don't know if it's the same on a small Rude as on my Merc 75 but sometimes I get a little piece of wood that blocks the flow slightly from the telltale. Where the rubber hose goes onto the ****** (rhymes with ripple only with an N) under the cowling is just a bit smaller, so that's where the debris hangs up.
If you haven't changed the pump for many years it's probably a good idea to do it anyway.
I haven't replaced the pump in my motor yet but will some day, I'll just dig in. From what I hear, the toughest part of the job is getting the shift rod and shaft splines to realign when reassembling. ALSO, torque wrench and anti seize compound are a must!

Good Luck

Smj

[ 05-07-2003, 07:35 AM: Message edited by: Smj ]

GutshotApe · 05-07-2003, 06:56 AM

Thanks smj, I'll check for blockages...I hope that's the problem cause I don't have a torque wrench (the kit does contain a little squeeze blisterpack of what may be anti-sieze compound - but what is it for?) nor much mechanical expertise.

Guess I'll find out after breakfast. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Spoiled Daddy · 05-07-2003, 07:06 AM

GSA,

I have to second SMJ. I had a 86 Merc that quit running water. I replaced the impeller in the water pump and it still wouldn't pump. I checked all the hoses and found debris in the exhaust tube which was causing the problem all along. It took about 3 minutes to fix and I waisted the $ and time on the impeller kit to boot. A couple of weeks ago my Honda kicker started doing the same thing. I pulled the tube and it was blocked with debris. Again, a simple fix.

Good luck. I hope that is the problem. SD

Kruechief · 05-07-2003, 07:14 AM

GSA,

Also check the transfer tube that runs from the water pump up to the head. There is usually a rubber boot or platic coupler that connects the pump to metal tube that runs up. Are you in Eugene?

Krue

PS If you get lost call me at either 541-791-9224 or 541-979-7634 (Loren)

GutshotApe · 05-07-2003, 07:57 AM

Thanks Kruechief...I'll call you if I get lost. I live outside of Junction City (southwest) in the hills of rural Lane County (no, I don't have any goats!)

GutshotApe · 05-07-2003, 12:55 PM

Before I took the lower unit off I took apart the outlet port...it was clear. I took the lower unit off and then took the cover off the bottom of the waterpump housing...the impeller looks like new. So, I am considering just putting everything back together hoping the pump was OK and that whatever was clogging the discharge line will come out after restarting the motor.

Any ideas, anybody, before I do it? :whazzup:

Smj · 05-08-2003, 05:29 AM

GSA, Just looking OK isn't good enough. The vanes on the impeller may have hardened, they may look OK but don't put enough tension on the sides of the pump housing to pump enough water for cooling properly at lower RPMs. There was an article in the latest issue of Bass and Walleye Boats mag all about water pump replacement, wish I could get it to you some how. The article stated that if the vanes had hardened and lost tension with the sides of the pump housing that low speed water pressure would be lacking, but at higher RPMs cetrifugal force would hold the vanes out for more tension against the sides of the pump housing, does that make sense?? It's also possible for the vanes to break off in pieces and clog the system. The pump housing itself may be grooved, not allowing the impeller vanes to seal properly to it.

The blister pack of goo might be for lubing o-ring seals or shaft splines also. Anti-seize is a good thing to use when steel screws and bolts are being driven into aluminum, especialy water and salt, to keep corosion away.

You never said how old the motor was or if the pump had ever been serviced? But, if that pump fails on you, chances are that your not going to notice at the time and you're going to end up with nothing but a 70 or so pound Evinrude anchor.

SOME BODY on this board has to of done this repair on an Evinrude before, Step up and lend a hand here!

Smj

GutshotApe · 05-08-2003, 05:59 AM

Thanks SMJ but I threw in the towel yesterday afternoon after taking it apart and finding nothing obviously wrong. The motor is an '87 or '88 and I had the waterpump replaced once a few years ago.... I took it to the shop (Mel's) and the mechanic agreed there was nothing wrong with the impeller...or with the outlet port. So there is a blockage or problem somewhere else I guess and I'm going to pay the expert to fix it and put it back together right. He said he'd try to get it done faster than the 3 week backlog they are working on....so I'll ease off the kokanee at Odell and start in on the springers in the Willamette. :smile: