Changing Water Pump on 90 hp 2 stroke

[garyinsc]

I had the misfortune of some back issues that greatly limit my ability to lift. I am considering changing the water pump on my 2002 90hp 2 stroke Mercury. The engine is new to me so I have a service manual and have watched several you tube videos. I am confident in my mechanical abilities. My question, what is the weight of the lower unit and does anyone have a technique to minimize any heavy lifting involved?

 

[robert graham]

Start by removing prop to lighten the weight of lower unit....then it's not all that heavy, just a bit clumsy to re-install....maybe get a buddy to help....

 

[racerone]

Pay the shop or coach the neighbors kid.----------Not worth risking back problems.

 

[DavidMoore]

You've only got one back so get a neighbor or a friend to do the lifting. It's really not that heavy, I'm certainly not the biggest or strongest around and I can manage mine fairly easily even with Stainless Prop.

I would
Tilt the motor up to a comfortable working height.
Leave the 4 nuts that you can see a couple of turns onto the studs and remove the nut at the bottom (the one you can't see) completely, break the the lower unit away to leave the weight resting on the 4 nuts = lower unit is free and no lifting by you.
It's then the work of a moment for someone with just normal lifting ability to remove it the rest of the way.

Getting it back on is slightly more work because you might have have to play around to align the splines, but again it's really not so hard.

1st time around a few seconds to lift it off, less than a minute to get it back on the where no more lifting is required.

 

[Texasmark]

My last engine was that exact unit and as part of my servicing did replace the impeller so I have BTDT with it and a heavy SS prop. I would get help for the lifting part. It's heavy enough, 35-40# but there is more to it than dead weight....it's the getting things separated and fitting back together after the fix that makes the weight a problem.......and I have done it before so I knew what went where and what to expect. I did it with a bad back and a couple of Aleve got me going again. I find if I can control the spastic spinal muscles I can live with it and conduct a normal life without surgery or anything complicated. Aleve seems to do that for me.....might give it a try if you haven't already.