Can't get it to pump water, 35hp

[Capt dave 258]

Picked up a 1988, Mercury, 35hp. Thought I'd change the impeller, as I have no history on the motor. Changed it out and cannot get it to pump water out of the tell tale. I took the hose off at the cowling and can blow air thru it, so it doesn't seem to be blocked. I believe the pickup tube is not in the proper location at the powerhead. What exactly is it supposed to push into. I've had this thing apart a few times and looked up inside with a flashlight and cannot determine what the pickup tube should be going into, and yes, the key is in place inside the impeller. I've tried looking at diagrams but haven't been able to find one that would help. I appreciate any help. Thanks

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Is there a rubber Gromit on the top of the pick up tube? Or is the existing one damaged and stuck in where the tube goes?

 

[Capt dave 258]

There is not a rubber grommet on the end of the tube. It must be stuck up in there. I can see where the pickup tube goes into the powerhead. My flashlight just died and I'm waiting for it to charge

 

[jimmbo]

Perhaps the Water Tube didn't go into the Water Pump, when the Unit was installed.
How long did you run the Motor? If the Water was getting to the Block, there would be some being discharged through the Idle Reliefs and the Water Drains just above the Anti-Ventilation Plate, as well as the Prop when the Engine is running.
Are you running it on Muffs, or in a Tub? If in a Tub, the Water Level has to be be above the Pump, in order to Prime the Pump.

 

[Bobbywolf]

The tube is friction fit into a rubber grommet under the power head, and another one at the water pump. I've had trouble before guiding the lower one on before. A little grease helps. No grease on the top one, you don't want that one to move.

One thing you can do to prove to yourself that everything else is working, is to hook a rubber hose to the water tube, with the lower unit removed. Turn on the tap, and you should have water coming out the exhaust housing and the telltale.

 

[Capt dave 258]

Perhaps the Water Tube didn't go into the Water Pump, when the Unit was installed.
How long did you run the Motor? If the Water was getting to the Block, there would be some being discharged through the Idle Reliefs and the Water Drains just above the Anti-Ventilation Plate, as well as the Prop when the Engine is running.
Are you running it on Muffs, or in a Tub? If in a Tub, the Water Level has to be be above the Pump, in order to Prime the Pump.

I'm running on muffs. The pickup tube is in the impeller housing with the grommet around it at that end. I believe I'm not getting the upper end of the tube to seat in the power head. I took the pickup tube out of the impeller housing and tried to get it in the power head but it won't stay.

 

[Capt dave 258]

The tube is friction fit into a rubber grommet under the power head, and another one at the water pump. I've had trouble before guiding the lower one on before. A little grease helps. No grease on the top one, you don't want that one to move.

One thing you can do to prove to yourself that everything else is working, is to hook a rubber hose to the water tube, with the lower unit removed. Turn on the tap, and you should have water coming out the exhaust housing and the telltale.

That's a good idea and I will hook a hose to the end of the tube if I can get it to stay seated up at the power head.

 

[Bobbywolf]

It is possible the upper grommet is damaged. It is replaceable, but not easily. With the tube out, you need to get a good look at it. Judging by the diagrams of your outboard, they are the same part top and bottom, but the top one has a retainer to hold it there.