But it pees just fine!

[omceed]

Should you replace the water pump every season?<br />I have spoken to many who do it every other... some every 3 seasons... some say if the gauge shows good pressure it's OK... some say just keep an eye on the stream, if it drops...replace it then...one marine shop says every season to the tune of, now get this, water pump only 250.00 (estimate).That brings me to other questions: What is a fair price range for this and should the Thermostat be replaced at the same time?<br />'94 200 Ocean Runner.<br /><br />I have got to tell everyone that I can't get enough of this great site.Every time I log on I can't stop going from one topic to the next.What a great place to get questions answered by good knowledgable people! <br />Thanks to all!<br />Every hour you fish adds a day to your life!

 

[OBJ]

Re: But it pees just fine!

Hey again OMC. I don't run in salt but a lot of the guys say that if you do, changing out the pump and t-stats every year is a good thing to do. Even if you flush after every use. <br /><br />Fresh water I'd say every other year if you run the rig a bunch. T-stat could go maybe three. What your really doing is buying insurance against probably one of the biggest enemies of any outboard....overheat.<br /><br />Don't ferget to test the alarm horns to.<br /><br />Do ya' have a service manual? OEM? This will take you through the steps to install a new impeller. Ain't hard after the first time. Save some money for gas and beer to. But if don't have one, do get one.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: But it pees just fine!

Changing the pump every other year, and never exceeding 3 seasons is a good maintenance practice. Not only should you be worried about the impeller, but the driveshaft splines need to be lubed to keep them from wearing out and "freezing" inside the crankshaft in salt water environments.<br /><br />If you boat in the shallows and suck up mud and sand often, then change the pump annually.<br /><br />Thermostats testing should be part of the 100 hr. checkup that almost all engines require.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: But it pees just fine!

I forgot to add, make sure you use the correct water pump kit. Your motor with a 25 or 30" shaft length uses the #5001595 kit because of its unique cooling system. Do not use the #5001594 kit that looks almost identical and is for non-splitline gearcases, as you will have less water pressure and possible overheats.

 

[omceed]

Re: But it pees just fine!

Thanks to all!<br />Seahorse, thanks again for the #'s and I take it that your advise comes from experience.

 

[Forktail]

Re: But it pees just fine!

None of my outboards (2-stroke or 4-stroke) require or recommend annual or bi-annual water pump maintenance. <br /><br />However, some of their maintenance schedules do require periodic flushing, and an annual check of the thermostat.<br /><br />I run these outboards in silty rivers and saltwater without water pump problems. Some of my outboards even get dry started before surf launching. <br /><br />Check your owner's guide for maintenance recommendations. Outboard dealers love to sell $parts$, sock you with $labor$, and fill you with visions of maintenance you just gotta have. IMO, unless you have reason to believe your water pump is bad, save the $250 for bait.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: But it pees just fine!

I, too don't necessarily agree with the need to replace the impeller as often as is sometimes recommended on some of these posts. Mine has been replaced in 2000 and still pumps at 6-8 psi, lukewarm pee and steady stream. I have heard of impellers being left in for up to 5 years. BUT.. having said that.. I do agree with the practice of dismantling the L/U to keep the parts lubricated, in which case you may as well change the impeller whilst in there. When I went to remove my prop last week, it just slipped off. This is because the last owner practiced a bit of preventative maintainence which saved me some grief.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: But it pees just fine!

hello<br /> anybody that has not done the pump in 3 years or so long ago that I have to use a oxy/acetylene wrench to remove the lower unit bolts gets no mercy, I will charge each and every minute. most people that "NEED" impellers also need pistons. I did several studies on this and found the price on the pump kit did not change with or witout pistons,machine work and power head parts. your wallet your call.<br /> good luck and keep posting<br />PS for those of you with 4 strokes, I priced a yammi F225 head at almost 2200 dollars each. over heat it and crack a head and you will price one as well

 

[seahorse5]

Re: But it pees just fine!

None of my outboards (2-stroke or 4-stroke) require or recommend annual or bi-annual water pump maintenance.

Check your owner's guide for maintenance recommendations.

The 2004 Yamaha F225 4-stroke owners manual, in the maintenance chart, says to inspect the water pump annually or every 200 hours.

 

[JB]

Re: But it pees just fine!

It took me almost half an hour to delete the philopolemics from this thread.<br /><br />Knock it off!

 

[JB]

Re: But it pees just fine!

How does one find out that he "needs" to replace the impeller?<br /><br />Depending on where he is when this happens it is often a very expensive lesson. Sort of like finding out you "need" insurance and don't have it.<br /><br />I replace my impellers as a routine part of annual Spring maintenance. I recommend it to all DIY boaters. If I hired out the maintenance I might settle for the 2 years Suzi recommends.

 

[lazydawg]

Re: But it pees just fine!

For those of us new to outboards, how would you experienced guys rank the difficulty of a first time water pump swap? 1-10 (10 being most difficult) Also, for most outboards does it require any special tools that most DIY newbies wouldn't have?

 

[Trent]

Re: But it pees just fine!

Depends on the make of outboard and model. Average outboard for the newbie 5 or 6. No special tools.

 

[Franki]

Re: But it pees just fine!

I'm not an outboard pro like some of the guys here..<br /><br />but I've changed the impellers in about half a dozen different brand outboards.. suzuki, johnson/rude, merc, chrysler etc..<br /><br />I didn't actually have a manual for any of them at the time, and all were pretty logical in layout and construction.. and none took more then about 2 hours.. if I did one OB allot I'd say I'd probably half that.<br /><br />The worst one I had was a very old evinrude lark 40hp selectric.. when I dropped the leg in that.. 3 dozen small needle bearings fell out.. took ages to fiddle it all back into place.<br /><br />On mechanical shifting outboards, watch for the shifter linkage before you go bashing on the leg for not comming out.. <br /><br />Other then that, just take your time, make a note of everything you take off and work in a clean place so you don't lose your needles if you have a Lark 40hp. <br /><br />regards<br /><br />Franki

 

[Forktail]

Re: But it pees just fine!

None of my outboards (2-stroke or 4-stroke) require or recommend annual or bi-annual water pump maintenance.<br /><br />Check your owner's guide for maintenance recommendations.

The 2004 Yamaha F225 4-stroke owners manual, in the maintenance chart, says to inspect the water pump annually or every 200 hours.

seahorse, I do not own a 2004 F225.<br /><br />In the case of that motor, you would want to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, which I have already said.<br /><br />BTW, inspection is not the same as replacement, which is what OMCeed was talking about.<br /><br />Thank you JB.