How hard is it to change a water pump??

[FLIPPINB]

On a mercury??

[BARRY J]

Easy. Drop the lower unit and it is right there.

[dirtdemon]

simple drop the lower and the water pump is sitting in a little metal cover on top of the lower, loosen the five studs where the lower and mid meet, 9/16 or 5/8 i forget, and simply pull the lower down, when you renistall after you tighten the bolts just move your shifter back and forth and make sure it goes in and out of gear smoothly . easy money 45 minutes start to fisnish

[FLIPPINB]

I may try to do it myself this weekend and save $90

[SUSHII]

it's not that hard at all. The hardest thing is trying to find a way to hold the lower up

[FLIPPINB]

Probally a 2 person job??

[dirtdemon]

not really easist way i found is start one bolt just a little, take a beer brake and rest your arm start another bolt then another beer , no just kiddin you can also use your trim and a wood block to hold it

[barchief]

I hope it's easier than changing a poppit valve!

[SUSHII]

i was referring to when you are changing the impeller. I always stick the skeg in the ground and work it on the ground

[dirtdemon]

oh i got ya ys poor boys normally chain it to a stump

[joeyp]

Its much easier to do it if you take the prop off if you havent already. It will make it a little easier on your arms when lifting the lower unit and trying to line everything back up. There is a helpful video on youtube that is a pretty good guide.

[timmaahh12]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by barchief &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I hope it's easier than changing a poppit valve!

</td></tr></table>

I'm doing that when I get home today....My water pressure suddenly dropped to about 8-10 psi the other day and won't get any higher than that no matter what you do...gonna check the poppit first...I heard its easier on the vmax than the hpdi though..

[Alan S]

Those lower units seem heavier than they used to. I'll pay for the next one to be done.

[Stroker]

I've changed a bunch of them over the years. Take the prop off as mentioned. It will make it a little lighter to handle. Next shift it into forward gear before you drop the lower unit. This will enable you to turn the prop shaft and align the splines on the drive shaft and the splines in the crankshaft when installing much easier. Remove the trim tab under the cavation plate if you have one otherwise there will just be a flat plate there. There is a bolt under the trim tab that has to be removed. This one gets a lot of people because it's hidden. I like to always get the complete water pump kit that has the wear plates and the impeller housing or you can just replace the impeller. When you install the impeller make sure that it goes back in just like the old one came out. You will see what I'am talking about when you take it out. The vanes on the impeller are a tight fit in the housing and will be folded back from the rotation. Just make sure the new one goes back the same. I like to use a little white grease or vaseline on the new impeller when reinstalling just for the initial startup lubrication. It's really not that hard other than lifting the lower unit. I got an old milk crate that I stand mine in to hold it up while I do the work. I live in Walker Flippin if you need any help just let me know.

Jeff

[FLIPPINB]

Jeff, I may need a little bit of supervision will let you know

[FLIPPINB]

It was terrible

[Ranger Tim]

Changed mine two weekends ago had issues still so I pulled the lower unit off again changed the bottom half of the pump housing, still had minor issues so I asked the experts on here ( suck ass I know) and they routed me to the poppet valve so I change it what a pain in the arse!!!! I feel your pain barchief! I'd rather do the water pump any day.

[Stroker]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by FLIPPINB &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">It was terrible </td></tr></table>Flippin did you get it changed?

Jeff

[FLIPPINB]

Yeah but I fought getting it back in( had trouble getting forward and reverse) hope I didn't mess anything up

[DOUGMCGEEFTD]

what was so bad?????????????????