Water Pump replacement 1987 SPL 88 horsepower Evinrude outboard Motor

[B.autry4711A]

I am new to the forum and have been reading for weeks and decided to join. <br />My question is I have a 1987 SPL 88 horsepower V-4 outboard Evinrude motor. I just bought the boat with this motor on it last year. I took it to my Dads place on the lake. At first the motor would idle and then when I took off it would die. Me and my dad got that straightened out after replacing the dead gas with fresh 87 octane. The motor cleared it self out and pushed the boat at 53 MPH no more problems. Then I left the boat at my brothers house to looked after so I could go to school for the Air Force. He would run the motor until the heads got slightly warm then shut it down. After reading the forums I am worried he might have damaged the water pump impellar. I have just ordered a Seloc Manual for this motor. I have never worked on an Outboard motor before and don't want to destroy a good running motor. Will the Seloc manual show me step by step procedures or did I just waste $27.97 for this book? If it isn't any good could you send me instructions/ilustrations on how to do this and if you would suggest me even doing this replacement? I am not sure when the last time the impellar or water pump has been replaced on this motor. Thank you

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Water Pump replacement 1987 SPL 88 horsepower Evinrude outboard Motor

You're going to need a new pump. Your heart was in the right place, but your methods aren't. You can't keep gas from going bad by running the motor once in awhile. You have to use a stabilizer or remove it.<br /><br />Your water pump is junk. It needs water to keep the rubber impeller from melting to the housing. You'll need a whole new pump. If you run it out of water, you need muffs available just about everywhere that sells boat stuff. I've seen some for less than $5.<br /><br />The most difficult part about servicing the gearcase is the shift linkage. Once you get past that, it's fairly simple. Your manual should help.

 

[realboats]

Re: Water Pump replacement 1987 SPL 88 horsepower Evinrude outboard Motor

Hi Big Bubba! Welcome to the forum!<br /><br />Opinions differ on how often you should change the pump impeller. I've heard from once a season to once every five years. Your impeller could be due for a change anyway, so I wouldn't get too upset over what happened. It loses its flexibility after a while and that results in less efficiency. <br /><br />Before you buy all kinds of parts, though, I would first open up the water pump to see the extent of the damage. You may have lucked out and only need the impellor. I've never run my motor dry for more than a few seconds so I don't have any experience in how long it would take to trash the whole water pump. <br /><br />Like the previous poster said, definitely get the "muffs" water flushing attachment. The Seloc manual is OK but they usually cover a wide range of years and models and really don't concentrate enough on your particular motor. And more than once, I've found I could have saved myself some work if I had used the factory manual instead of an aftermarket one. I have six outboards here and have an aftermarket manual for each one, plus the factory manual if I can find it. The factory manual is definitely better but they supplement each other at times.<br /><br />I know of two places where you can find factory manuals for older engines. First, of course, is ebay. Try a search like "OMC 1987 manual" for starters. Another source is your OMC dealer. They usually have a bunch of old manuals and could have yours, although you'll spend a premium. I personally never had any luck finding the manual I needed at the dealer. <br /><br />Another source of instruction on how to change your water pump is a video called "Outboard Marine Engine Maintenance" by Bennett Marine. I got this as a gift and found it useful for bringing me up to speed on outboards. It covers water pumps and cooling systems in good detail. Here is one place you can get it: http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=19149 It's far from Hollywood quality but still a good training tape.<br /><br />Good luck and have fun!

 

[PJSuburby]

Re: Water Pump replacement 1987 SPL 88 horsepower Evinrude outboard Motor

Bubba, Understand your concern regarding the water pump. I'm a novice boat mechanic but good with cars. You can do it yourself. Seloc gives instructions and lots of pictures, especially for water pump replacement.Take your time and watch rotation of the rubber impeller when you install it. it will seem TOO big for the housing but it does fit. Just keep trying and don't come back to it after a beer and put it in rotating wrong.<br />I replace water pump impeller every Spring here in Fl. 'cause I boat 12 months. It's cheap insurance to keep the motor from roasting.<br />(150 Johnson). Shift linkage can be tricky.<br />Try to get someone to help who's done it before.<br />If the lower unit doesn't come off, you probably missed a bolt(check Manual)or it needs encouragement. Don't loose patience separating the lower unit. serch the forums here for excellent advice on that topic, if it happens.<br />good luck.