Chrysler 45 not pumping water

[pbiwolski]

I just changed my impeller for the first time, and took it out for a run last Sat. The water was flowing more than I'd ever seen it flow, so I was happy (although there was a bit of a new whining sound, I just assumed it was the new impeller - my first). The motor was not up to par, and seemed to be missing alot. I wasn't sure if I had a spark issue, but was hoping it was just fuel.
After fresh fuel and a tub of water in the backyard, everything seemed back on target, but there was no water coming out the exhaust this time, and the motor seemed hotter than normal.
I took it on the water tonight, and it didn't go far until it smoked, shut off. Again, no water pumping. I got it back and wanted to see if my impeller was in good shape and sure enough, there was hardly any impeller to find. Most of the blades were totally gone, and what was left was practically melted to the shaft. The key (I think you called it, small pin that sticks out of the shaft and into the impeller) is now bent. Now what???
Is it possible that I installed the impeller upside down, and bent the key while tightening the pump back down on to the L/U? I'm at a loss, it all seemed to be a smooth and relatively simple operation for my first impeller change.

 

[bentle]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

What year is your motor. Some pics would be helpful to.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

Maybe you put the impeller in backwards.

 

[pbiwolski]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

I'm not exactly sure what year it is, I believe it's early 70's.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

You should find a tag on the motor below the carb.... Do you have the service manual for this motor? I have the oem manual if you need a copy.
Go here to download it http://www.4shared.com/zip/QWWFr2YC/file.html

 

[wickware]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

This link below will show some info on my 1970 35 HP Chrysler (which might be related 35-55 HP) and the impeller I ran from 1985 ? 09 w/o checking or changing. I d/n have a problem, feel I probably w/n have but I s/h checked it at least. I actually checked/changed it to see if there would be a noticeable difference in the output. I am not seeing a noticeable difference ?That I Can Remember?! BUT, I wish I had added the Tell Tale while the old impeller was in and the output there might have been different due to no exhaust in the solid flow. jow

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=536647

 

[riptorn]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

Is it possible that I installed the impeller upside down, and bent the key while tightening the pump back down on to the L/U? I'm at a loss, it all seemed to be a smooth and relatively simple operation for my first impeller change.

Yes. It's easy and possible to do that. I have only replace a small 5hp outboard.
Any damage the the engine?

 

[pbiwolski]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

Being that it shut off (it was only about 1/3 open, it started slowing on its own, and I cut the throttle back to neutral and it quickly died out and smoked) I'm leary of touching it w/out the water pump issue resolved. What should I do to check for engine damage before I spend $ on a water pump, etc.

 

[pbiwolski]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

turns out it's a 1973

 

[bentle]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

A compression test and spark test are the first things that come to mind. First thing though is to fix the impeller so it doesn't overheat again. Both head and exhaust gaskets can also be damaged from overheating.

 

[pbiwolski]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

Alright, I'm also afraid of what may have happened to the old impeller. For the most part the blades were no where to be found. There were some remnants in the housing. How likely is it that I'll have blockage in my motor or L/U? or do you suppose that it's all in the river?

 

[rickryder]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

They could be lodged anywhere.....You have the manual now so you should be able to trace the water passages to check for blockages...

 

[rickryder]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

Being that it shut off (it was only about 1/3 open, it started slowing on its own, and I cut the throttle back to neutral and it quickly died out and smoked) I'm leary of touching it w/out the water pump issue resolved. What should I do to check for engine damage before I spend $ on a water pump, etc.

Pull the head and look for cyld scoring and ring damage would be my first choice

 

[riptorn]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

Being that it shut off (it was only about 1/3 open, it started slowing on its own, and I cut the throttle back to neutral and it quickly died out and smoked) I'm leary of touching it w/out the water pump issue resolved. What should I do to check for engine damage before I spend $ on a water pump, etc.

Take the plugs out and check them out. There probably worn but clean them up regap and start it up for about 20 seconds to see if it is damaged. If it runs the same as before replace the impeller and check for debris.

 

[pbiwolski]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

They could be lodged anywhere.....You have the manual now so you should be able to trace the water passages to check for blockages...

Yeah, thanks for the manual, btw.
If I removed the L/U and aimed a garden hose with a small nozzle up into the (where the pump throws the water), would I be able to flush out the passages? Would I be able to run the motor like this briefly in the backyard?

 

[tater76]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

You can run the motor with a hose attached to the water tube, but its not easy, more like a two person job. Sounds like you did not lube the new impeller. The chunks of rubber will likely stay inside the housing, the smaller particles will be flushed out. I have in the past taken the motor off the boat, pulled the head, and layed it head side down toward the ground while sticking the water hose on the pickup tube. It will flush out junk, but if the bigger peices become lodged in the block??????? Never have had that problem with any blown impeller I have seen. If it were me, pull the head, inspect for damage, then put a new impeller in and test for flow. If you have no flow, you will know something is blocked. Its worth the $16 bucks for a new impeller.

 

[bentle]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

You can also try a back flush by removing the thermostat and back flush from there. Removing the lower first works best.

 

[stubtail]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

When re-installing the L/U to the powerhead, make sure that you don't allow the driveshaft to turn in a CCW direction when viewed from above as this will bend the vanes of the impeller back against the normal direction of bend with probable premature separation of the vanes.

 

[pbiwolski]

Re: Chrysler 45 not pumping water

Problem solved, I believe. While installing a new impeller I think I realized what happened in the first place. The water pump housing slid up the shaft when I was re-installing it down into the L/U. The drive key/pin then was just out of the impeller slot. The shaft spun just enough for the key to miss its slot in the impeller. So, while I bolted the housing down to the L/U, I smashed the key into the hard inner core of the impeller. It almost happened again, but I caught it this time, and the lights came on in my head (praise the Lord!).
I believe this explains the whining sound I first reported. It did flow solid water out of the exhaust for the first several minutes until it shredded to next to nothing.
The new impeller was tested in the backyard. It didn't throw a solid stream, but there was spitting (about what its always been since I inherited it). I'm heading to the river tonight to get 'er on the water again and see what happens. I'm going up stream, of course!