Thread: Still stumped with water pump

Originally Posted by silverside

Thanks to all who are trying to help.
Tonight i went back through the steps.
Prop to pump rotation - good
Impeller vane position - good
Correct parts - good
Key in position - good

The impeller definitely getting hot. Steam comes from the telltale just before dying. When i removed the lower unit a small amount of water dripped out and the inside surfaces are wet and a tanish goo. Looks like contaminated oil. Thinking i might have a blockage in the cooling flow.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

How are the water intakes? Good and clear? If you haven't, take the grates off and flush them out.

I'd think if there was a blockage the vanes would just deflect and bypass, not destroy themselves.

You running the engine on muffs or in a barrel?

The only reason you should lube the impeller is to ease installation, it will not burn up if you don't, they're designed to be lubed only by water. I've never lubed one and have no issues.

Might be a good idea to drop the lower unit in a bucket and spin the driveshaft with a drill, see what it does. If it pumps good without an issue, you know the problem is in the power head.

With the lower unit off, you can put compressed air through either the water tube or the pee hole, but to really flush it out good you may have to remove the thermostat.