Water pump - how long before it fails?

[jsz]

I have a 2002 Merc 350 with about 600 hours. I check/replace the impeller every year. This year the shop is doing it for me for the 1st time. When he looked at the water pump housing, he said the grooves (which I have seen for years and never thought were a big deal) were too deep to machine and I should replace it. He also spun the pulley on it and said the bearings were going out. Again, it totally sounded normal and felt pretty smooth to me but not being a mechanic, I'm wondering.

I don't want to be cheap if it needs it but I thought the old brass ones were bullet proof and dont fell like dropping $350 for another one when mine doesn't seem that bad to me.

How hong have your brass pumps lasted?

If you change your own impeller, have you noticed any grooves?

I know impellers fail but have any of you heard of the sealed bearings in there going bad?

[dom w. forte]

I have a 2002 Merc 350 with about 600 hours. I check/replace the impeller every year. This year the shop is doing it for me for the 1st time. When he looked at the water pump housing, he said the grooves (which I have seen for years and never thought were a big deal) were too deep to machine and I should replace it. He also spun the pulley on it and said the bearings were going out. Again, it totally sounded normal and felt pretty smooth to me but not being a mechanic, I'm wondering.

I don't want to be cheap if it needs it but I thought the old brass ones were bullet proof and dont fell like dropping $350 for another one when mine doesn't seem that bad to me.

How hong have your brass pumps lasted?

If you change your own impeller, have you noticed any grooves?

I know impellers fail but have any of you heard of the sealed bearings in there going bad?

From 500hrs on the bearings can go at any time, usually we see water leaking from the front seal of pump before the bearings go.
On some of the warmer engines like a 6.0l if there are grooves in the housing it can effect overall pump performanece but not as much problem on 5.7l.

[jsz]

It sounds like you work on boats regularly. Yes/No?

What happens when the seals go? I would think immediate failure or gradual noise quickly getting worse?

Thanks for the reply. Any more water pump experiences out there???

[MoneyPity]

Item 1 yes
Typically seals start leaking but can go bad quickly.

[Nobody]

From 500hrs on the bearings can go at any time, usually we see water leaking from the front seal of pump before the bearings go.
On some of the warmer engines like a 6.0l if there are grooves in the housing it can effect overall pump performanece but not as much problem on 5.7l.

Dom,

We talked about this last week. At 300 hours wouldn't it just be wise to repalce the whole pump as a predictive maintenance routine. I'd hate for my pump to go out when we're in the Keys.
What does a new pump cost? Can I rebuild the old one and keep it as a spare? Shaft seal and shaft bearings should be available, yes?

[jsz]

What does a new pump cost? Can I rebuild the old one and keep it as a spare? Shaft seal and shaft bearings should be available, yes?

I was quoted $350 for the pump kit w/new impeller. Not sure if that covers install.

[jsz]

I reluctantly ordered a new pump. I wanted to compare the old one with the new. When I saw the bearings come out of the old one, I was glad I got the new pump. The old bearings were toast.

As far as the grooves around the impeller go. I was told that was from sand getting in there. (getting boat off sandy beach by using reverse and kicking up sand dirrectly into the raw water intake)

[chadster2]

I reluctantly ordered a new pump. I wanted to compare the old one with the new. When I saw the bearings come out of the old one, I was glad I got the new pump. The old bearings were toast.

As far as the grooves around the impeller go. I was told that was from sand getting in there. (getting boat off sandy beach by using reverse and kicking up sand dirrectly into the raw water intake)

that is some good info, thanks!

[chadster2]

hind tit

I would choose hind tit on a bore hog over replacing my impeller. It took all day with no beer. My arms are cut up my hands are sore and my knees hurt…… with hind tit I’d have none of that! I’d be drinken all day someone else would have tied the hog down…. I’m a thinken upgrade to an impeller that don’t have to be changed out.

[chadster2]

Mine was bent over and not responsive… 2nd year of lite use (40-50 hrs.)…. I think it would have had a problem pumping like it was supposed to…. So I’m a every other year sort of guy.

[chadster2]

I'm all better now.... So Question of the day. It was a real pain changing out my impeller and the biggest part was getting it back on. The water line and fuel lines were all putting up a good fight… So.. would it be a bad thing to bevel the back side of the pump housing bolt hole (just a little). The top hole mounts with a stud (that I am starting to mess up the threads on, with all my attempts to get it back in place. AND is there another option that is more like a car and is a one time fix. (5-10 years)

[Fit to be Tige]

Time to replace the water pump on my 1999 Mag 350 MPI. Any ideas as to what the part number(s) would be??

Thanks in advance.

[TeamAllen]

Use your engine serial number and check here in the yellow box on the left hand side.

http://www.perfprotech.com/store/default.aspx

[Joeprunc]

My bearings were starting to make a little noise last year during the end of the season. When I replaced the impeller and checked the bearings, they seemed to roll very smooth. Been out a few times this year, and the bearings seem to be a lot quieter than last year. It could be that I put the belt on too tight last year causing more force than need be.

I think next year I'm going to replace the water pump housing, and rebuild my water pump. I've got the Selco Manual, and it seems to be fairly easy.

A question to the jsz...the grooves/wear you are experiencing is on the impeller housing...correct? Is it on the flat surfaces of the impeller housing (top and bottom) or on the circumferential surface of the housing? Can you just replace the housing? I've got the older style housing which breaks into two pieces once removed from the water pump. I was thinking of upgrading to the newer style with O-ring gaskets, but now I'm not sure...

[jsz]

Here are some pics of the old pump and bearings.As I said before, I thought the rings were normal but my mechanic said no!