The water flow through the output should come in a regular, steady stream that is warm but not hot.Īlthough it is rare for the thermostat on an outboard motor to fail, it does occasionally happen. To check for blockage, run a small, thin segment of wire up the output tube and gently wiggle it side to side to dislodge any debris. If the output becomes blocked, it will disrupt water flow throughout the entire engine. In most outboard motors, the water output is a small tube-like structure that can easily get blocked. If a foreign object is present, remove it and restart the engine after it has returned to normal temperature. Turn the engine off and check for anything, such as weeds or trash, which may be blocking the water intake. Luckily, water pump impellers are relatively simple to install, but they do fail regularly so it is wise to carry an extra water pump and tools onboard at all times and replace the impeller at least twice a year. When the impeller is broken, it stops the supply of water to the engine and results in overheating. The impeller is essentially a small, round disc with spinning blades used to move water through the circuit of the outboard motor. The water pump impeller is the cause of most water circulation and overheating problems. Here are top four things boat owners can do when they notice that water is not circulating through the outboard motor: When water flow through the outboard motor is disrupted or stopped entirely, overheating occurs. Outboard motors rely upon simple mechanical systems that push water through the engine in order to maintain temperature and avoid overheating. Always look for quality impellers.What to Do When Water Isn’t Circulating Through the Outboard Motor You seldom have to buy one made by the pump maker, although this may be a good idea. Different companies will probably make impellers for your pump. After changing an impeller, run the engine for a while and check to be sure there is no seepage around the face plate or anywhere else.Īlways carry at least one spare. Some pumps have a key in the shaft which must go into the impeller hub without falling out. Again, this is much easier to do if the pump is off the engine. You basically have to compress and squeeze the blades as you twist the impeller into the pump, preferably in the direction of turn by the engine, until the splines on the shaft engage with the impellor hub. Inserting the new impeller into the pump is also often difficult and takes some practice. You may find that the clearances around your pump don't give you room to use that tool, but generally it's a good idea to remove the pump from the engine anyway for ease of work and better inspection. The best bet is to buy an impeller puller that fits your pump. Some mechanics pry it out with screw drivers but these can damage the lip of the pump housing if you're not very careful. Often it is very difficult to get the old impellor out. Spreading grease or lubricant (as the manufacturer recommends) on the face plate will help to avoid dry start up friction where the impeller moves against the plate. Many manufacturers recommend spreading a little grease on it. Also be sure to replace the gasket or O ring sealing the face plate that covers the impeller. When inserting an impeller, be sure to use durable water proof grease or other lubricating agent suitable for the purpose and approved by the pump manufacturer on the shaft, so that the impellor will be less likely to become seized to the shaft over time and will be more readily removable when the time comes to do so. Many mechanics use oil based light grease because it doesn't last long after water is introduced to the inside of the pump body. Others say that oil based grease is fine. Some manufacturers claim that oil based grease is bad for the rubber or other material of which the impeller is made and suggest using something like a dishwashing soap or other proprietary lubricant. Once water starts flowing through, this will lubricate them. Typically when they're replaced or the pump housing is opened for inspection, they should be lubricated to give them a chance to suck in the water initially without abrading against the sides of the pump. It only takes a very short time for them to disintegrate running dry. These impellers are very reliable but some care is required. It is used to pump raw water from outside the boat through the engine's raw water cooling plumbing. Most marine engines will have a raw water pump with a flexible impeller.
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