More issues,1998 2150 merc mag mpi 350???

[Illiana]

Hello All,

Last year it was a fuel pump, this year I was most concerned about block cracking due to extreme cold but I have other issues. Getting old blue ready to drop in, hooked up to take a lake and she cranked right up in a couple seconds. No water out exhaust, shut off after about 20 seconds. Removed all hoses and none of them were seized or difficult to remove (😂&#128514. Found some nice rusty springs in the water pump hose. Looks like a possible thermostat spring to me but that’s why I’m here. I haven’t ever changed this thermostat. DBCB06FA-6991-4D8D-8B02-AB2722C64C15.jpg. Pic is attached. After fighting my raw water pickup and hoses for a couple hours, I find a blade or two of impeller in the pickup. I had to sawzall the hose between the pickup and impeller and not much in there. I clamped a garden hose into the cut water pickup and it started right up and spit the normal amount of water out both exhaust ports within normal time. I replaced impeller last year so I don’t know if this is new or old damage. Everything ran fine so I’m going to get new hose on and tighter strainer back down.

Anything else I should check or do? I removed and washed/rinsed every water hose but did not get at thermostat. Thank you all for any feedback or thoughts.

[Jetdriver]

I agree it looks like a thermostat spring. Did you pop the plate off your raw water pump and check the impeller? Quite possible the chunks are from a previous failure but better safe than sorry. Who knows maybe you sucked that metal up somehow and it shredded your impeller. I’d definitely pop the thermostat housing off and check it as well.

[lee]

Looks like the spring in the "J" hose that stops the hose from collapsing in a sharp bend.

[freeheel4life]

Looks like the spring in the "J" hose that stops the hose from collapsing in a sharp bend.

X2 for this. When you changed your impeller was it the plastic housing or metal?? If plastic did you re-use housing??

[Illiana]

Thanks for the feedback. Is the “j” hose the one hooked into water pump? This hose looked most like a J. That is where metal was found. Should I replace that hose? Best place to purchase?

Should I get into thermostat to check it or just get new J hose?

I don’t recall if housing for impeller was plastic. I think it may have been. I greased the impeller and replaced a metal plate of some kind while inside because it had minor rub/scoring. I did inspect housing and it looked great with no scoring.

The rubber pieces found in raw water pick up were small but enough to plug the hole. Only one oiefe of rubber large enough to see an impeller lip. Guess I should check replace impeller as well. I sure as hell am not going to deal with opening that up and not replace; I did not enjoy changing the impeller.

[TeamAllen]

You can order from any local Merc. dealer or try order online. I have used this site a few times.
https://www.perfprotech.com/mercury-...-parts-catalog

[Jetdriver]

Thanks for the feedback. Is the “j” hose the one hooked into water pump? This hose looked most like a J. That is where metal was found. Should I replace that hose? Best place to purchase?

Should I get into thermostat to check it or just get new J hose?

I don’t recall if housing for impeller was plastic. I think it may have been. I greased the impeller and replaced a metal plate of some kind while inside because it had minor rub/scoring. I did inspect housing and it looked great with no scoring.

The rubber pieces found in raw water pick up were small but enough to plug the hole. Only one oiefe of rubber large enough to see an impeller lip. Guess I should check replace impeller as well. I sure as hell am not going to deal with opening that up and not replace; I did not enjoy changing the impeller.

That totally makes sense it’d be that hose support, I forgot that they put those in some hoses.

RE: impeller swap-Buy yourself an impeller puller, it makes the job a breeze and if you’re doing it each year it is well worth the $35 bucks they cost. Link below, most likely you’d need the smaller one but confirm your impeller size before ordering.

http://www.discountmarinesupplies.co...RoCvJMQAvD_BwE

[freeheel4life]

Jet- His merc doesn't have a crank driven pump with a face plate. It's belt driven and you have to disassemble housing from mounting bracket. I always pull the whole mounting bracket and just bring the whole assembly out of the boat. Easier that way. The plastic housings will wear out and pit badly as they don't have a metal wear play on both sides, just one.

[Jetdriver]

Jet- His merc doesn't have a crank driven pump with a face plate. It's belt driven and you have to disassemble housing from mounting bracket. I always pull the whole mounting bracket and just bring the whole assembly out of the boat. Easier that way. The plastic housings will wear out and pit badly as they don't have a metal wear play on both sides, just one.

That doesn’t sound very convenient at all!

[freeheel4life]

That doesn’t sound very convenient at all!

Its not. On some of the Fineline boats they are a nightmare. They ran large fiberglass mufflers so you have to remove the fuel water separating filter and its whole assembly to get the pump out. Takes about an hour to hour and a half for a guy that does them all the time...

The side swipes are especially terrible.

[Illiana]

Thank you all for the feedback. I’ll score a new hose with the support in it and open the damn impeller again. Whoever said it’s a real nightmare is correct. Sure, I’ve faced much worse jobs but trying to get all bolts back in and tightened, by feel only on a couple of them, was the worst for me. Lining everything up to get bolts in blind also resulted in increased beer consumption.

Anybody know if I can get a metal or upgraded impeller housing, or just stick with a new plastic? I have a new impeller but not housing. Thanks again.

[lee]

Thank you all for the feedback. I’ll score a new hose with the support in it and open the damn impeller again. Whoever said it’s a real nightmare is correct. Sure, I’ve faced much worse jobs but trying to get all bolts back in and tightened, by feel only on a couple of them, was the worst for me. Lining everything up to get bolts in blind also resulted in increased beer consumption.

Anybody know if I can get a metal or upgraded impeller housing, or just stick with a new plastic? I have a new impeller but not housing. Thanks again.

You will want to unbolt the bracket from the engine to make it easier to change the impeller, only two bolts hold it to the block.

[freeheel4life]

You will want to unbolt the bracket from the engine to make it easier to change the impeller, only two bolts hold it to the block.

Lee nails it again. Loosen belt, 2 hose clamps, pull hoses, and two of the above mentioned bolts. On your bench do the job, then take it back to the boat.

http://www.cpperformance.com/p-74528...lications.aspx

If you know you are going to own the boat a long time then you could look at that guy...but at $500 I don't think it's worth it. I think the complete kit with plastic housing, wear plate, new bolts and impeller is just under $100. Even if you paid for the stainless the impeller still runs you about 40 every change...

[Jetdriver]

$500?!! What’s it made of, adamantium? They’re sure proud of those suckers aren’t they?!
Good luck getting it back together man!

[TeamAllen]

You can replace just the back plastic piece for less.
http://www.cpperformance.com/p-14507...807151a14.aspx
http://www.cpperformance.com/p-14544...rhaul-kit.aspx