On Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:24:06 -0700 (PDT), Frank
wrote:

On Mar 18, 9:14*am, (Richard Casady)
wrote:
On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:19:08 -0500, wrote:
I made sure the water level in the barrel was well
above the water intake.

Make sure it's higher than the impeller. There's no mark on the
outside of your lower unit indicating where it is, you'll just have to
estimate. But some impellers won't suck up water if they're above
water level.
Second thing, remove the thermostat. It might be stuck closed.

I don't believe in coincidence. The thermostat wouldn't stick closed
at the exact time you dropped it over the side.

won't hurt to run the engine without it. If that's the problem, you
can replace it later.

Casady


I took the powerhead off the Merc 3.3hp engine tonight and followed
the entire cooling system throughout, checking for any blockages.
There was none. I also discovered there is no thermostat on the 3.3
hp. I didn't think there was, but I'm a rookie with engine repair so I
wasn't sure.
When I opened up the powerhead I found plenty of fresh water still
not dried out. Indicating to me that the powerhead was getting cooling
water but for some reason it just wasn't coming out the water pump
indicator hole. Which I did clear out with wire when I was trying to
run the engine in my back yard. Everyones suggestions on these posting
I did check out. Still nothing. This is the damnedest thing.


Well, if there isn't any water coming out the bleed hole then
something is wrong. The only solution is to start from the bottom and
work up.

I have had this symptom and went through all the hassles of reaming
out holes and so on. In my case when I finally pulled the leg I found
that several fingers were broken off the water pump impeller. I was
also able, once, to install the impeller without the key (doesn't work
either). I sympathize with you but the engine is so simple that it
should be easy to locate.




Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
On Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:24:06 -0700 (PDT), Frank
wrote:

On Mar 18, 9:14 am, (Richard Casady)
wrote:
On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:19:08 -0500, wrote:
I made sure the water level in the barrel was well
above the water intake.
Make sure it's higher than the impeller. There's no mark on the
outside of your lower unit indicating where it is, you'll just have to
estimate. But some impellers won't suck up water if they're above
water level.
Second thing, remove the thermostat. It might be stuck closed.
I don't believe in coincidence. The thermostat wouldn't stick closed
at the exact time you dropped it over the side.

won't hurt to run the engine without it. If that's the problem, you
can replace it later.
Casady

I took the powerhead off the Merc 3.3hp engine tonight and followed
the entire cooling system throughout, checking for any blockages.
There was none. I also discovered there is no thermostat on the 3.3
hp. I didn't think there was, but I'm a rookie with engine repair so I
wasn't sure.
When I opened up the powerhead I found plenty of fresh water still
not dried out. Indicating to me that the powerhead was getting cooling
water but for some reason it just wasn't coming out the water pump
indicator hole. Which I did clear out with wire when I was trying to
run the engine in my back yard. Everyones suggestions on these posting
I did check out. Still nothing. This is the damnedest thing.


Well, if there isn't any water coming out the bleed hole then
something is wrong. The only solution is to start from the bottom and
work up.

I have had this symptom and went through all the hassles of reaming
out holes and so on. In my case when I finally pulled the leg I found
that several fingers were broken off the water pump impeller. I was
also able, once, to install the impeller without the key (doesn't work
either). I sympathize with you but the engine is so simple that it
should be easy to locate.




Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

I have a Honda 8 HP. There is a hose from the engine to the
"P" hole at the back of the cover. With out that hose the water
would run down the front of the shaft, but you wouldn't see it.
Maybe there is water flowing through your motor but its not
coming out where you expect.

LdB

On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 07:29:09 -0700 (PDT), Frank
wrote:

I have a Mercury 3.3hp 2 stroke engine that fell into the water last
season. When I recovered it I disassembled it and cleaned or replaced
every part. I put everything back together, brought the engine
outside, put it in a barrel of water and started it up. It started up
fine after a few pulls and appeared to run great, until I noticed that
no water was being expelled from the tube leading to the powerhead.
The manual calls it the water pump indicator hole.
I immediately stopped the engine of course to avoid overheating. I
then took apart the lower unit, replaced the water impellor and
gaskets. Upon starting the engine again, still no water was being
expelled.
I verified that the water tube connecting the pump housing to the
powerhead was clear of debris. I verified that the water tube in the
shaft was properly seated in the pump housing when I reattached the
lower unit. I believe I installed the water impellor in the correct
orientation. The powerhead should be clear, I disablembled and cleaned
every component. And I made sure the water pump indicator hole was
clear.
I can't for the life of me figure out what could be wrong with the
cooling system. I made sure the water level in the barrel was well
above the water intake. When the engine was running the water tank was
bubbling up quite a bit ( no prop) so I assume the impellor was
working. Anyone have any ideas what could be wrong. Any guesses whould
be appreciated.

Frank

First of all:
Are you sure that the key is installed with the water pump impeller?
Is the impeller in right and not broken?
Are you sure that the rubber seal that seals the water tube into the
pump housing is installed?
Did you clean any salt deposits out of the cooling passages when you
had the engine apart?
The cooling water pipe did go into the top of the water pump when you
installed the lower end?

Look at the leg just a bit forward and above the propeller shaft and
there are some little holes in both sides of the leg. Clean them out
if they are blocked.

Take the plastic tubing off the power head and make sure that the hole
in the casting is clear.

The Forward - neutral shift lever shaft is in the water stream from
the pump to the engine, if it is leaking then there is diminished
water flow. It has "o:" rings on each end, if I remember correctly.

If the above is correct then there ain't anything else. Go back and
fix whatever you did wrong. ..

The 3.3 (I've had one for years) is fairly forgiving about cooling. I
don't mean to run it and run it with no water but it will run for a
few minutes without damage.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 07:29:09 -0700 (PDT), Frank
wrote:

I have a Mercury 3.3hp 2 stroke engine that fell into the water last
season. When I recovered it I disassembled it and cleaned or replaced
every part. I put everything back together, brought the engine
outside, put it in a barrel of water and started it up. It started up
fine after a few pulls and appeared to run great, until I noticed that
no water was being expelled from the tube leading to the powerhead.
The manual calls it the water pump indicator hole.
I immediately stopped the engine of course to avoid overheating. I
then took apart the lower unit, replaced the water impellor and
gaskets. Upon starting the engine again, still no water was being
expelled.
I verified that the water tube connecting the pump housing to the
powerhead was clear of debris. I verified that the water tube in the
shaft was properly seated in the pump housing when I reattached the
lower unit. I believe I installed the water impellor in the correct
orientation. The powerhead should be clear, I disablembled and cleaned
every component. And I made sure the water pump indicator hole was
clear.
I can't for the life of me figure out what could be wrong with the
cooling system. I made sure the water level in the barrel was well
above the water intake. When the engine was running the water tank was
bubbling up quite a bit ( no prop) so I assume the impellor was
working. Anyone have any ideas what could be wrong. Any guesses whould
be appreciated.

Frank

First of all:
Are you sure that the key is installed with the water pump impeller?
Is the impeller in right and not broken?
Are you sure that the rubber seal that seals the water tube into the
pump housing is installed?
Did you clean any salt deposits out of the cooling passages when you
had the engine apart?
The cooling water pipe did go into the top of the water pump when you
installed the lower end?

Look at the leg just a bit forward and above the propeller shaft and
there are some little holes in both sides of the leg. Clean them out
if they are blocked.

Take the plastic tubing off the power head and make sure that the hole
in the casting is clear.

The Forward - neutral shift lever shaft is in the water stream from
the pump to the engine, if it is leaking then there is diminished
water flow. It has "o:" rings on each end, if I remember correctly.

If the above is correct then there ain't anything else. Go back and
fix whatever you did wrong. ..

The 3.3 (I've had one for years) is fairly forgiving about cooling. I
don't mean to run it and run it with no water but it will run for a
few minutes without damage.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

Whenever I put a thermostat in, I always boil it on the stove to make sure
it opens. If it opens before the water boils, I can assume it's good. I
actually blew up a pickup truck once with a brand spanking new, and bad,
thermostat.

But, the main reason I posted... I have a question.

Instead of putting the motor in a barrel, could you put a set of 'ears' on
it? Would that show you if you have a blockage or not? If you put the ears
on and turn on the hose and water comes out the pee hole, will that tell you
the impeller is not working?

More of a question than an answer, I'm afraid.



Ron

If you put on the muffs and turn on the hose and see water coming out of
the
peehole with the engine not running, then there is no impeller in the
waterpump!



Oof! Well, I guess it's a good thing I asked.

Ron