a long thin wire or some 100+ lb mono. The dirt dobbers are a yearly issue around here.

The shop diagnosed the problem as a warped water pump housing. Said that the pump was sucking air. Replaced the housing and while they were there replaced the pump. Picking her up this afternoon -- hopefully.

My DF140 had an all metal housing. Easiest water pump change ever...

With the DF150-175-200s Zuke went the way of Yamaha and use a plastic housing with the replaceable metal cup and gasket. Getting it all seated perfectly isn't as easy as it should be. If you don't line up the tit perfectly the cup won't fully seat, the gasket won't seal, and you'll warp the plastic housing when you bolt it down.

https://i.imgur.com/MW4u7rQl.jpg

Sounds like the guys who changed the pump out last fall might have caused this . . . ?

you'll never know...