Outboard water pumps

fillet1 · #1 03-03-2005, 06:22 PM

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 · #2 03-03-2005, 06:38 PM

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 · #3 03-03-2005, 07:02 PM

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 · #4 03-03-2005, 07:28 PM

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 · #5 03-03-2005, 09:45 PM

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

reelapeelin · #6 03-04-2005, 09:20 AM

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 · #7 03-04-2005, 01:22 PM

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 · #8 03-04-2005, 01:25 PM

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 · #9 03-06-2005, 11:39 AM

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