Outboard water pumps

[fillet1]

How often are you changing the water pump on your outboard?
My pump is 2yrs old - do I need to change it out? I really dont want to if I dont have to.

[chesapeake724]

IIRC, the pump should just be whenever it breaks. The impeller on the other hand should be changed every other year. The vanes start to warp. I guess it should be every year if you put on a good bit of hours in a season. It's still not a cheap thing to have done, but it's better to spend the money for an ounce of prevention than to have tthe motor overheat and seize because the cooling system failed.

[labii]

What should it cost to replace the impeller ? I changed mine a few years ago with help from a friend who said he knew what he was doing and I don't remember it being all that easy . I may have the dealer get it this time .

[fillet1]

Labii - its about 250 ish in my area.

The impeller is easy to actually install, its a p.i.a. to drop the lower unit to get to it.

[macojoe]

my Johnson was 5 years old, my I/O was what ever?? I bought it ran it for 5 years and then converted

[reelapeelin]

Change it or get it changed every 2nd yr...especially saltwater runners...ignoring those little spinning rubber blades will COOK a powerhead...then that $ you coulda spent on new impeller looks SMALL... ;)...not only the $$$$, but add the DOWNTIME(as in no fishin), and the gut wrenchin'....change the FREAKIN' thing and SMILE :) :D ;D ;)

[Blue_Runner]

I've changed the impeller on 3 different Johnson/Evinrude motors. It isn't all that easy. My 1975 70hp was the easiest, followed by my 1986 60hp and finally the 140hp Johnson was the beast.

With the 140 I didn't have any trouble at all.....until I went to put the lower unit back on. Was trying to go it alone. Then tried with a friend. Then 2 friends. Then I took it to the shop and paid 70 bucks for them to put it back on! The 2 hard parts were disconnecting and reconnecting the shift linkage (not much hand room) and lining things up to get the lower unit back on (lower unit gets heavy - esp. if you leave the prop on like me).

But, my opinion is that if you are strictly a saltwater boater you should change it every season. If you do half and half salt and fresh you can get by for 2 seasons. Its great insurance!! If you ever buy a used motor, that's one of the first things you should do before taking it out on the water.

My brother-in-law has a Suzuki outboard that needs an impeller. I'm not sure how to tear into a Suzuki yet? Anybody know if its about the same as Johnson as far as the removal of the lower unit goes?

Thanks,
Blue

[macojoe]

Well if you must!!

I am a all Salt guy and never do it!! Call me Crazy! ;D) But I flush evertime!! and not for just 5 min. I let the thing run and run!! One day I forgot the thing ran like a hour ::)

So far I have not had any problems *PRAYS*

[reelapeelin]

MJ...wishin' you da best, Brudda...