Water Pump Repair

May 7, 2010

I noticed when I ran the motor to get from the ramp to the dock, that the flow from the water indicator port (AKA "pee hole") wasn't what it should be. At idle it would pump only a few drops. At higher RPMs it would pump a feeble stream, not a solid squirt like it should be.

Old and new water pump

So I pulled the motor off, brought it home and replaced the water pump.

I was able to buy a new pump kit off the shelf at the marina. This is probably the most common part to be replaced. I could have gotten it cheaper over the Internet but this way I had it when I got home with the motor.

I was glad that I had bothered to build the engine stand with wheels and a handle. At the time I thought I might be getting carried away when I added the wheels and handle, but they really came in handy today.

I got the pump replaced, took the motor back and put it on the boat. Started it up and still don't have any more water coming from the water indicator port than before. I ran it enough to back out of the slip turn around, head out away from the dock and then turn around and come back and dock. It never showed any sign of over heating.

I've got to pull the motor and bring it home again and see if I can figure out what's going on. I'll have to make up a test hose as is described on the Evinrude/Johnson 9.9/15 repair pages I'm using as a reference.

May 14, 2010

This week I've been working on the engine. Actually first I had to repair the engine stand first. The motor mounting board broke loose while Alex was rolling the motor on the stand up the dock. Crash and I look behind me and the motor is laying on the dock and Alex says, "Its not my fault." I was sure glad he was with me because he just picked the motor up and carried up to the truck. I suppose I could have, but it would have nearly killed me.

So once I had the motor stand repaired, I started on the motor. I took the lower unit off and found a hose that would go over the water feed tube and ran water from the hose into the engine. It seemed to run fine. Then I pulled the water pump and checked it again and checke the intake channel and screen and it was all clear.

Finally I put it all back together and found a trash can that was the right size to run the motor in. It seemed to pump fine now and I was able to tune the idle speed and mixture. So it seems to be all ready to go now. Can't wait to get in the water tomorrow. Good weather forecasted.

I should have done this test with a trash can last fall when I was working on it. Now I have the whole set up so I'm good to go in the future.

The lower unit does need a new top seal I think. The water pump will be pulling oil out of the lower unit and probably letting water in. I'll check the lube in a month or so.