Water Pump service, 2017 150 Pro XS Opti Max?

[kacordy]

I been changing Mercury water pumps for 25 years. This is my first yearly service on a new to me 150 Pro XS. When I start to drop the lower unit, there is a small diameter black hose or wire next to the shift shaft? What the heck is the black hose or wire? What is the next step to get it disconnected? How do you reconnect on the re-install? Thank you for the help, Allen

[kacordy]

Here is a picture.

[Ben Danbleume]

Looks like the water pressure tube on the older units to me.

[kacordy]

Looks like the water pressure tube on the older units to me.

Hello Ben, I will check but every other motor I’ve owned pulls the water pressure off the top of one of the heads. I’m going through manuals on-line and have not found that line. Still a mystery. I’m sure one of our fellow boaters will chime in and have the answer.
Allen

[Lowerider58]

He means it's the hose for the speedometer water pressure. I have a different motor but it seems mine had enough slack in it to drop the lower unit enough to disconnect the hose from its fitting.

[JOE54]

black line is for speedo/ push on outer edge of fitting and pull hose at same time

[SilverFox579]

black line is for speedo/ push on outer edge of fitting and pull hose at same time

^^^^

Have fun putting it back together, that line is always my Achille's Heel when stuffing the lower. One of these day's I'll complete my 2.5L water pump service "How To" to be added to the 2.5L forum FAQ.

[JOE54]

put a speedo or w/psi coupler in line above gearcase

[Ben Danbleume]

Every Mercury lower I've seen has the same hose, I've never reconnected one.

[kacordy]

Every Mercury lower I've seen has the same hose, I've never reconnected one.

Thank you everyone for the posts and advice. I’m going to disconnect it and not reconnect it. I have carbon 9’s use GPS anyhow.

Allen

[JOE54]

plug it or hole in front of gearcase /prevent water spraying upwards

[kacordy]

plug it or hole in front of gearcase /prevent water spraying upwards

Thank you Joe for the suggestion.

[EuropeanAM]

I been changing Mercury water pumps for 25 years. This is my first yearly service on a new to me 150 Pro XS. When I start to drop the lower unit, there is a small diameter black hose or wire next to the shift shaft? What the heck is the black hose or wire? What is the next step to get it disconnected? How do you reconnect on the re-install? Thank you for the help, Allen

Allen- if you choose to plug it, keep in mind that the opening at the leading edge can let water become trapped in the passage. If this occurs there is a (small, but still a) chance of the passage freezing and bursting. Have seen a hand-full of cases where this perforated into the gear lube passages.

For future reference, the next forum down the list is the 2.0/2.4/2.5 Engine Forum (best place for your engine).