no water out of water pump indicator hole

[stanggt]

pretext - New  to outboards, but have extensive mechanical skills...

Problem - went to start '98 Johnson 90 today to try out new starting procedure.  Well procedure worked but now I have no water coming out the water pump indicator hole.  It used to be fine the last few times I started the engine.  I am going to assume the water pump bit the big one.  I have no idea how old it is so I can only assume the worst.  I have the service manual but it is no help in troubleshooting.  I believe these water pumps get rebuilt after removed from the gear case is that correct?  Any tips or hints would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Larry

[Blue Agave]

Did you have the hose and muffs attached to the lower unit when you started it?  And yes the water pump is located in the gear case, gear case needs to be removed to service the water pump.

[seabob4]

pretext - New  to outboards, but have extensive mechanical skills...

Problem - went to start '98 Johnson 90 today to try out new starting procedure.  Well procedure worked but now I have no water coming out the water pump indicator hole.  It used to be fine the last few times I started the engine.  I am going to assume the water pump bit the big one.  I have no idea how old it is so I can only assume the worst.  I have the service manual but it is no help in troubleshooting.  I believe these water pumps get rebuilt after removed from the gear case is that correct?  Any tips or hints would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Larry

Larry,
Easy stuff first.  The "pee hole", or pisser, as we call it, may just be clogged with some sand, a bit of grass, whatever.  If sh had a good STRONG, stream before, and now just quit, chances are the tube is just clogged.  A coat hanger works well, and so does a good shot of compressed air...

That being said, if you don't know the history of the motor in regards to when the last time the water pump was serviced, then it's time at least to swap out the impeller, maybe the whole pump assembly.  The housings don't usually have any issues (maybe a wear plate here and there), but putting in a new impeller establishes a baseline for you maintainence wise.

Dropping the LU (lower unit, or foot) is pretty easy, although I don't know if the 90 requires you to disconnect the shift shaft by the powerhead like other OMCs.  I know on Yam and Mercs, it's really a piece of cake, as once all the bolts are removed, the whole LU slides right out.  The water pump will be sitting on top of the drive shaft, unbolt the top cover and there is your impeller.

The key with any LU removal is to not disturb the shift shaft, as this will misalign the gears, N becomes F, can't get it into gear, that sort of thing...

Others will come along, I'm sure...

[RickK]

Mud daubers in the tube?  Still active in my neighborhood.

[seabob4]

Mud daubers in the tube?  Still active in my neighborhood.

Had some mud daubers in a sub woofer recently...gave them a treat on power up of the stereo...

[RickK]

[stanggt]

Did you have the hose and muffs attached to the lower unit when you started it?  And yes the water pump is located in the gear case, gear case needs to be removed to service the water pump.

Yes the muff was attached and water turned on.

[stanggt]

pretext - New  to outboards, but have extensive mechanical skills...

Problem - went to start '98 Johnson 90 today to try out new starting procedure.  Well procedure worked but now I have no water coming out the water pump indicator hole.  It used to be fine the last few times I started the engine.  I am going to assume the water pump bit the big one.  I have no idea how old it is so I can only assume the worst.  I have the service manual but it is no help in troubleshooting.  I believe these water pumps get rebuilt after removed from the gear case is that correct?  Any tips or hints would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Larry

Larry,
Easy stuff first.  The "pee hole", or pisser, as we call it, may just be clogged with some sand, a bit of grass, whatever.  If sh had a good STRONG, stream before, and now just quit, chances are the tube is just clogged.  A coat hanger works well, and so does a good shot of compressed air...

That being said, if you don't know the history of the motor in regards to when the last time the water pump was serviced, then it's time at least to swap out the impeller, maybe the whole pump assembly.  The housings don't usually have any issues (maybe a wear plate here and there), but putting in a new impeller establishes a baseline for you maintainence wise.

Dropping the LU (lower unit, or foot) is pretty easy, although I don't know if the 90 requires you to disconnect the shift shaft by the powerhead like other OMCs.  I know on Yam and Mercs, it's really a piece of cake, as once all the bolts are removed, the whole LU slides right out.  The water pump will be sitting on top of the drive shaft, unbolt the top cover and there is your impeller.

The key with any LU removal is to not disturb the shift shaft, as this will misalign the gears, N becomes F, can't get it into gear, that sort of thing...

Others will come along, I'm sure...

Will try the compressed air before disassembly...  either way I am going to do the water pump to ensure I do have a baseline to track.

[seabob4]

Will try the compressed air before disassembly...  either way I am going to do the water pump to ensure I do have a baseline to track.

     

[John Jones]

I vote for the mud dauber.  Water pumps usually don't totally die.  Compressed air, really heavy fishing line, or pull the cowling and trace the rubber hose and remove and flush.

I did have a strange occurrence though.  I have the cheap $6 muffs and I have a set of the double outlet nearly $30 dollar muffs.  I have higher than normal water pressure but my son's 45 HP Honda 4 stroke will not pee on the expensive muffs but works fine on the cheap muffs.  

Install a water pressure gauge.  You won't regret it.

[seabob4]

I don't pee on expensive muffs either, JJ.  Makes Maggie's ears wet when she puts them on.  I catch hell for weeks...

Then there's the other muff...OOPS, we won't go there...

[John Jones]

I ain't touching that...

[seabob4]

That was a good one, JJ...  

[fitz73222]

If you have a water pressure gage; DO NOT USE Compressed air to clear the lodged tell tale hose. I have blown the diaphragm inside the gage and or the hose that connects to the gage by doing so.

[stanggt]

Well, got all the parts I need...I think... Waterpump rebuild kit, drive shaft seals, exhaust gasket, gasket sealer.

I got the gear case removed, water pump removed and am almost done cleaning years of sand, mud, gunk, muck, more sand, salt build up, and exhaust debris.  

Tomorrow I will put the new parts in and re-install the gear case.

I am also going to remove the thermostats and clean that area up next.  The mechanic at the store (reputable) said I can remove the thermostats because they are not needed in Florida.  I was already thinking of doing this anyway as I have alway done this in my race cars and high performance street cars, especially in warm weather climates.  Any thoughts on this???

Will update when either done or I get stuck somewhere.