OMC outdrive impellor wont draw up water

[kmcomc]

I have an 89 OMC 4.3 with a cobra outdrive. I replaced the raw water impeller and housing but with the muffs on, the impellor is not drawing water up and pushing it to the engine. I have back fed water down the pump opening to ensure passages clear and have thoroughly sealed the backing plate and lubricated impeller to ensure a good seal but to no avail - it refuses to draw up water. Anyone any ideas?

 

[Juniinc]

Re: OMC outdrive impellor wont draw up water

remove the hose comes up from the gimbal housing,,,
see U got a good water flow.

 

[chopperdog]

Re: OMC outdrive impellor wont draw up water

I had a similar problem recently. It turned out that the water was leaking out of the plug on the Port side of the outdrive.
There is a bolt, it may be behind a logo on the upper unit on the port side.
In my case the bolt came out. The water travels up from the impeller, and through a channel behind that bolt. With that bolt gone, the water flows out the side of the outdrive.
I bought a rubber plug with brass compression fitting, about $4. It fit the hole perfectly and solved the problem.

I am not in any way suggesting that you mess with that bolt. If it is in place, leave it.

Good luck.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: OMC outdrive impellor wont draw up water

Are you 100% sure the impeller key didn't fall out of place, it's easy to double check being all you have to do is take off the cover and look, reach in and if you can turn the impeller then you found the problem.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC outdrive impellor wont draw up water

Pull the triangular housing cover off. Start the boat on muffs. You should see water shoot out the vent hole a good 5 ft. If not, the pump may be sucking air. Make sure the seal is in place. The seal will sometimes move when replacing the cover. By the way, how much water pressure from the hose are you giving her? Are you getting a good seal on the l/u from the muffs? And are you getting a pee stream from the l/u? If not, u may have run the impeller dry. It could be toast. I never start the engine until I see that stream.