Water Pump

Your water pump is responsible for keeping your engine cool. It’s a simple system that works very well. Cooling water is drawn in through the intake grates on your lower unit, up to and through a rubber impeller keyed to the drive shaft on top of the lower unit, and pumped up into the powerhead of your outboard. There it circulates and eventually exits back down through the propeller to help keep it cool from the outboard’s exhaust. A telltale hole emits a small, visible stream of water after it has passed through the powerhead, to help indicate that cooling water is flowing. 

Time without use can lead to the impeller “taking a set”, or becoming permanently deformed, due to its off-center positioning inside the cup. This condition makes water flow much weaker. Additionally, periods of non-use can cause the rubber to become more brittle, perhaps even breaking pieces off and sending them into the cooling system.  

As a general rule, inspect the impeller and water pump assembly every year if operating in salt, brackish or turbid water, and replace if necessary. The debris in these waters acts like sandpaper. If operating in freshwater that is clear and clean, this interval may likely stretch to two seasons, provided no dry operation has occurred. Be sure to check your particular owner’s manual for your outboard’s specific service interval.

Service includes:

• Remove and disassemble lower unit.
• Remove and replace the water pump impeller and housing, if applicable.
• Clean and service shift rod and housing.
• Reassemble and reinstall lower unit.

* Price does not include materials.

** Price may vary depending on condition of lower unit and disassembly.