Dingy Outboard

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:53 am

When I was winterizing my 5 HP Merc I noticed that the water pump was just trickling water out...not the steady stream I normally see. Anyone know where I start looking ? There must be a restriction somewhere, but I've never dug into these things before. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:30 pm

Rick, It's probably one of two things, the water pump impeller or sometimes if the engine doesn't get used much and has salt water setting in it for a long time, the aluminum will corrode and cause a gel like substance to build up in the water passages. If that's the problem it you can take the head off and clean it out or , what I'd do first is run it with a mixture of water and muratic acid.The acid will clear it out nicely and aluminum is very resistant to it.Steel hates acid but aluminum doesn't have much trouble with it.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 4:17 am

Thanks Frank, That's got to be it because it has been sitting since the end of July. I'll give it a try. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:20 am

Take the small hose line from where the water comes out for the tell tail water from inside the engine cover it may have a small clamp and just blow in it sometime you get debri in the tube slowing the flow out the back.

Post by **dougl33** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:19 pm

A couple of years ago my 10hp 4 stroke suddenly stopped pumping water. I hit the exhuast outlet pretty hard with a hose and have not had a problem since.

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 2:46 pm

Ya I should have mentioned that as the first thing to try. It won't hurt it to blow air or water back through the other way first to see if something will blow out. My Suzuki 40 just had something blocking the pee hole and I had to remove the end and tap out some chunks of guk.