Water pump

General Boats and Motors
1

I ordered one today. Just when you least expect it…expect it.
I’m just glad the bote was still on the trailer when it went.

1998 Sazuki 140hp.

Umm, you gonna eat that?©

Thousands have died to save my freedom. Only one has died to save my soul!

2

Dumb question I know, but how could you tell??? Did the pisser stop peeing? Need to know for future reference!

The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.

2002 Florida Skiff
90 Merc.

3

Cdub, you are correct. The pisser will not pee anymore or, like mine, pee very sporadically.

4

Or was it some sand stuck in your peehole? And it is possible to have a bad water pump but your pisser will still pee. The pump will move some water, but not enough.

If you change your pump every year or two like you are supposed to, it won’t crap out in you when you are least expecting it. Plus there is less of a chance for your lower unit’s bolts to seize when you break the bolts free every year or so.

5
quote:
Originally posted by cdub

Dumb question I know, but how could you tell??? Did the pisser stop peeing? Need to know for future reference!

The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.

2002 Florida Skiff
90 Merc.

You definitely don't want to wait til it stops to change it. That's could make for a bad day. Change it per your manufacturer or your mechanic's recommendation.
6
quote:
Originally posted by localdude

Or was it some sand stuck in your peehole? And it is possible to have a bad water pump but your pisser will still pee. The pump will move some water, but not enough.

If you change your pump every year or two like you are supposed to, it won’t crap out in you when you are least expecting it. Plus there is less of a chance for your lower unit’s bolts to seize when you break the bolts free every year or so.

Good point.
7

Thanks for the advice. Is it still necessary to change it out every year, even if the boat gets less than 30 hours on it? Didn’t know if it was an hourly thing or just a yearly thing. I do plan on changing it out every year, I was just curious!

The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.

2002 Florida Skiff
90 Merc.

8

Factors could be; is it always salt water, do you run shallow and suck up mud and sand, how long is the is the motor sitting in the water, how soon do you flush the engine with clean water, etc… Seems like (from memory) the longest for the impeller is 2-3 years and the water pump is 5-6 years. Just call any Merc service shop and see what they say. Good luck.

9

Cdub,

I have a mercury and I have my pump changed every two years.

As localdude pointed out you can have a clogged pump sometimes. Especially if it sits for a longer time. Many critters can nest in a motor. I don’t know if it helps but if my motor is going to sit awhile in my garage I cover it hoping insects or bugs find a different home.

This could be a waste of time but I haven’t had to pay to unclog a water pump since I have done this.

10
quote:
Originally posted by cdub

Thanks for the advice. Is it still necessary to change it out every year, even if the boat gets less than 30 hours on it? Didn’t know if it was an hourly thing or just a yearly thing. I do plan on changing it out every year, I was just curious!

The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.

2002 Florida Skiff
90 Merc.

Check your manual. I think most say every two years. I do mine every year or so just to keep the bolts loose and not have a trip cut short by something that could of been taken care of with thirty minutes of preventive maintenance. Like any rubber, they become brittle and start to lose efficiency. Not to mention running them in saltwater that contains sand and other abrasives doesn’t help them last.

11

For what it’s worth, I asked Chris at Charleston Marine about the need to change the impeller on my 1996 Johnson 112VR. My motor pees great, has its original water pump/impeller, but I worry about the inevitable failure at a bad time. Chis did not recommend that I just change it for a regular PM. According to him, it is either an all day job for me, a $229.00 (? I think) fix at his place or possibly not necessary anytime real soon because of the integrity of this generation of Johnson pumps.

I don’t disagree that my pump is getting a little long in the tooth, but I am not rushing to fix a problem I don’t have. Who knows, maybe there’s not planned obsolescence on this part of the motor…

Of course, this post is the kiss of death for the pump.

Sammie

12
quote:
Originally posted by sammie

For what it’s worth, I asked Chris at Charleston Marine about the need to change the impeller on my 1996 Johnson 112VR. My motor pees great, has its original water pump/impeller, but I worry about the inevitable failure at a bad time. Chis did not recommend that I just change it for a regular PM. According to him, it is either an all day job for me, a $229.00 (? I think) fix at his place or possibly not necessary anytime real soon because of the integrity of this generation of Johnson pumps.

I don’t disagree that my pump is getting a little long in the tooth, but I am not rushing to fix a problem I don’t have. Who knows, maybe there’s not planned obsolescence on this part of the motor…

Of course, this post is the kiss of death for the pump.

Sammie

Yes. Please bookmark this thread and let us know how that ultimately turns out for you. You say it is a 14 year old impeller? I wish you the best. :wink:
13

Well, you know, “ultimately” could mean a long time.

Like, “ultimately”, the Saints won the Super Bowl, or, “ultimately”, English will be our second language… Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad.

Anyhow, am I endorsing such a long interval between changeouts? Not really, but when you have a guy in the business tell you not to do it, you have to pay attention.

By the way, I’m not sure you really wish me the best, TyOneOn. but you can be the first to say, “I told you so” when the impeller craps out … ultimately.

Sammie

14

No, sammie, I do wish you the best. Would NEVER wish a guy a bad day on a boat. That just ain’t me. But I DO hope you have Chris’s phone number and a promise from him that he will come get you if/when it goes. :smiley:

There is nothing funny when bad things happen on the water. Been there. I wish you the best.

15

I don’t think Chris is on call, even though he is a doctor - a boat doctor.

Changing the impeller is on my short list of things to do soon (after I rebuild the trailer)! You realize that by even asking Chris about it, I have admitted that I have a problem (no money). At least I am out of the denial stage.

Anyhow, I’ve been towed in a few times over the years, and it is a drag. Also, I know that you were being sincere earlier and I appreciate that. No true boater ever wishes bad luck on another. There is too much out there that can go wrong without bad kharma floating around, too. Maybe on a Saturday real soon, I’ll tear down the Johnson and change out the pump. I might even learn something along the way.

I promise to post when the deed is done. And sorry if I hijacked the thread.

Sammie

16
quote:
Originally posted by sammie

Maybe on a Saturday real soon, I’ll tear down the Johnson and change out the pump. I might even learn something along the way.

</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Just follow this.

http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=98968

17

I read the link and there is only one mention of a water pump which didn’t seem to have a lot to do with the thread. Is that what you wanted me to see or was it something else? How to remove the lower unit, maybe?

Sammie

18
quote:
Originally posted by sammie

I read the link and there is only one mention of a water pump which didn’t seem to have a lot to do with the thread. Is that what you wanted me to see or was it something else? How to remove the lower unit, maybe?

Sammie

????

Did you make it over to page 2 and see things like this?

and this…

and this…

etc…

Anyway, the pump and impeller will probably come with instructions. Thought it might be helpful.

19

Oh…page 2. That is more helpful, thanks. I am feeling starngely motivated to pull out my shop manual and commence to work. I will keep you posted on my progress - but it will have to wait one more weekend!

I appreciate the help.

Sammie

20

Ooooohhhhh, page two?!?

You are cracking me up sammie. :smiley:

I thought that you would be very familiar with post that start out on boat motors and then go on to discussions about DNR and Obama and GOD and… You have to read page two. :wink: