BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Water pump

In article ,
says...
This is my first season prepping a boat for the water and
I have a question about maintenance of the water pump.
I've heard that you should change the impeller every 1 to 2 years.
I'm nervous about dropping the lower gear case to get at the pump.
I bought the boat last year, it was already in the water and ran
fine all season. I'm tempted to use the old "if it ain't broke" philosophy
but I'm sure this will get me into trouble at some point.

So two questions:
How often should an outboard water pump be serviced?
How hard is it to service the pump? Again I'm mostly concerned about
dropping the lower gear casing.
(BTW, it's a 1995 130HP Johnson)

Thanks in advance
-VI

I'm just finishing up the job on an 85 OMC and while the task isn't
overly taxing in the mechanical ability department it is a royal pain in
the ass.

The three most aggravating steps in the process, at least for me, is
disconnecting the shifting rod. The screw holding it in the upper unit
is buried in such a position it is bitch to get too. If yours in the
same position you'll need a socket wrench, an extension, and a universal
type connector between the end of the extension and the socket. Then
there fitting the impellers into the cup, and finally getting the pump
back on with the housing gasket/O ring still in place. Apply gasket
compound then let it set up and get good and tacky before trying to get
the darn thing in place.

As to how often to do the job - the impeller is rubber and it does take
a set. It fits very tightly into the stainless cup and any kind of
abrasive material that may get sucked in can have an adverse effect on
the rubber. Anyhow, sooner or later you are going to have to do the job.

Good luck.

--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net