Water pump self-destruct

[ableberry]

Good afternoon,

I have a '77 35 HP Johnson. I replaced the water pump this winter, but when I took the boat out a few weeks ago, I noticed no water out the 'pee hole,' and grey smoke coming from the lower end, so I shut her down.

When I took the engine apart and the water pump off, I saw the impeller had broken apart to where I had only the hub ont he driveshaft and a handfull of broken rubber parts.

There was no other damage anywhere to anything. I was wondering what went wrong or what I did wrong in installation that would snap the blades off the impeller like that.

-Wes

 

[Kettler]

Re: Water pump self-destruct

Any chance there was water in there and it froze?

Hope you shut it down in time

Good Luck

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Water pump self-destruct

What brand kit? Was the motor stored in the vertical position?

 

[ableberry]

Re: Water pump self-destruct

No ice, don't remember the brand, and I had the motor stored vertically. The water pump went out last season, melted the old pump, the plastic driveshaft tube and the coils. Replaced all that and learned a lesson -- shut the motor down soon enough and went to the secondary -- my set of oars.

I'm out of ideas and would like to have the problem solved before I slap a new impeller on it.

-Wes

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Water pump self-destruct

I'd be willing to bet it wasn't a BRP impeller. I believe the complete BRP water pump kits still come with instructions. Follow the instructions and replace the whole mess again and I would doubt you'll have a problem.

 

[ableberry]

Re: Water pump self-destruct

Will try the new impeller (not like I have a choice). I'm always reluctant to throw parts at it rather than learn how and why it all works... Then I'll have better aim at least when I throw the parts.

Thank again

-Wes

 

[The-Machinist]

Re: Water pump self-destruct

Several people on this forum including myself have had sierra impellers come apart with no apperent reason. I now will only use BRP impellers, unless they are not available.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Water pump self-destruct

Check the water intake screen below the water pump for trash obstructing flow.
That will smoke an impeller with a quickness.