How to change an Outboard Water Pump
Why is a water pump important?
An outboard water pump is very important to your engine because it circulates water through the engine, keeping it cool to prevent overheating.
Following the steps below to replace your own water pump will insure that your outboard will be running cooler and more efficiently all season long. Plus you can save some money by doing it yourself.
Why is it important change an outboard water pump?
Since a water pump pushes water though your engine to keep it cool, a failure of the pump can cause serious damage. If the water pump fails, your engine can overheat and seize up causing huge repair bills. Keeping up on maintenance is essential to the health of your outboard motor and starting with regular replacement of your water pump is a great first step in outboard maintenance.
How often should I replace my outboard water pump?
Most outboard owners should replace their water pump every other year. If you run your boat on a river or in dirty water, you may want to replace the pump every year. Also, take into consideration if you have an OEM pump or aftermarket pump. The aftermarket pump has questionable longevity so may need to be replaced sooner.
There are two indicators that tell you if your water pump is functioning properly. The first is to check to see if your motor is peeing out the back. If you don’t see water coming out the back, your pump is not functioning.
The second indicator is that your motor has overheated. If the motor begins to overheat, an alarm should sound on the motor. If this happens, turn the motor off immediately to prevent further damage.
Where can I buy an outboard water pump?
Replacement water pumps are relatively easy to find. Your local boat shop should stock most of the popular water pumps. You can also find them at Amazon for cheap prices but beware, the off brand pumps have questionable reliability. If your pump fails before you have a chance to replace it, you may find that any money you saved on the pump doesn’t come close to the repair bill to fix your engine.
How do I replace the water pump?
Replacing a water pump requires some mechanical knowledge and basic tools. The steps to
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change an outboard water pump:
- You’ll need a wrench, screwdriver and a new water pump impeller.
- Disconnect the battery to prevent any accidental sparks from causing a fire.
- Place the boat on a level surface so you have access to the lower unit.
- Remove the lower unit to give you access to the water pump. You will need to consult another article for how to properly remove your lower unit.
- Remove the water pump housing to expose the water pump impeller.
- Remove the water pump impeller.
- Clean the water pump impeller housing. There may be debris or algae that needs to be removed.
- Install the new water pump impeller insuring it is properly seated in the housing.
- Reinstall the water pump housing.
- Replace the lower unit.
- Reconnect the battery.
Buy the right parts the first time
Once you have decided to replace your waterpump on your own, be sure to shop US Boatworks for your boat parts. We carry only QUALITY OEM boat parts for longevity and best fit plus when you call us, you get personalized parts help from our talented and knowledgable staff. Our team of career parts specialists and technicians know your motor inside and out.
When you provide your Mercury outboard serial number or Evinrude model number, we can quickly identify the exact part you will need for your repair. Once identified, we will complete your order and ship your parts directly to you that same day. No need to run all around town hoping you can find it. We stock over 1 million boat parts so odds are, we will have what you need.
Need Repair help from the Experts?
Call or text us to schedule service on your motor. Eliminate headaches and downtime struggling to do it yourself. 913-342-0011.
If you’re uncomfortable working on your engine yourself, it’s always best to consult a qualified marine mechanic.
P.S. If you need help locating hard to find boat parts, we can help. Call or text us to inquire about parts you may not find on our website. 913-342-0011.
