Impeller pump leaking? HELP!

**fed4life** · 06-08-2008, 07:26 PM

I have a 2003 21' Aftershock Tornado with a Merc 350MAG and Bravo 1 drive. The engine has a 100 hours on it and the previous owner put a new impeller and thermostat in last season and I just had all the fluids and filters changed Memorial Day.

My problem is is that when my engine is NOT running there is a pretty steady drip comming from the sea water pump. Its enough that it kicks on my auto bilge about every hour. When the engine IS running it doesnt leak.

My engine temp maybe gets to about 175 if im running at WOT for awhile but cools right back down to about 160 or so and the manifolds are warm to the touch but not hot, you could keep your hand on them as long as you wanted without getting burned. Also, theres plenty of water comming out the exhaust so i know the actual impeller is good.

I guess my question's are:

1. Is this normal? (im guessing not)

2. Could it be just the gasket or is the casing itself thats cracked/warped?

3. Is this something i can fix myself or should i let a pro do it?

4. Have any of you out there had this same problem before?

5. And finally, is this something i should get fixed right away, like before the next time i take the boat out? (i use it almost every weekend when its nice out)

I appreciate any and all comments and advice, thanks!!!

**Havasu Hangin** · 06-09-2008, 05:20 AM

It could be something as simple as a hose clamp, or something as bad as a broken pump. Either way, changing a pump yourself is not too tough...if you have some tools, a few hours, and the flexibilty of an olympic gymnast if you have a small bilge.

Get it fixed right away- the pump is probably sucking some air when running (not good on the impeller). Also, if it is leaking while the boat is sitting, it is below the waterline, and any leak below the water line could sink your boat if it fails completely.

**BDMarine** · 06-11-2008, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Havasu Hangin'

It could be something as simple as a hose clamp, or something as bad as a broken pump. Either way, changing a pump yourself is not too tough...if you have some tools, a few hours, and the flexibilty of an olympic gymnast if you have a small bilge.

Get it fixed right away- the pump is probably sucking some air when running (not good on the impeller). Also, if it is leaking while the boat is sitting, it is below the waterline, and any leak below the water line could sink your boat if it fails completely.

Ditto

**HitIt** · 06-11-2008, 02:34 PM

Fix it. See where it is leaking from. Like the other have said, could just be a hose clamp. Could be the housing. You can prob get the parts at West Marine or similar. Easy to do. If you have the unit with the fuel pump mounted on top of the seawater pump, remove the fuel pump and CHANGE THE OIL. Takes around 4 ounces of drive lube. Nobody does this (because nobody knows they have to) and it freakin eats up the cam that drives the fuel pump. Bad merc design.

**BDMarine** · 06-11-2008, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by HitIt

Fix it. See where it is leaking from. Like the other have said, could just be a hose clamp. Could be the housing. You can prob get the parts at West Marine or similar. Easy to do. If you have the unit with the fuel pump mounted on top of the seawater pump, remove the fuel pump and CHANGE THE OIL. Takes around 4 ounces of drive lube. Nobody does this (because nobody knows they have to) and it freakin eats up the cam that drives the fuel pump. Bad merc design.

He does not have the fuel pump mounted on the sea water pump. Use genuine Merc water pump parts.

**BOBALOO** · 06-11-2008, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by BDMarine

Use genuine Merc water pump parts.

Especially if you can get them for FREE !

**fed4life** · 06-11-2008, 06:41 PM

B & D is correct, my fuel pump is not mounted there. It is a pain in the ass to get down in there but its doable. The problem is is that i have to put it in the water to just to actually see exactly where its leaking from, whether it be a hose clamp or the housing. Im having a feeling its the housing itself from what i can see so far. I believe i do have the tools to change it.

Next question: any idea on how much a new housing and related parts are gonna be?

Do i have to(or should) do/buy anything else besides just removing the housing? i.e. special tools, lube, gaskets etc.

I appreciate all the responses and advice so far. Every shop i have called has told me about $500-700 to do the work and thats replacing everything.

**BDMarine** · 06-12-2008, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by fed4life

B & D is correct, my fuel pump is not mounted there. It is a pain in the ass to get down in there but its doable. The problem is is that i have to put it in the water to just to actually see exactly where its leaking from, whether it be a hose clamp or the housing. Im having a feeling its the housing itself from what i can see so far. I believe i do have the tools to change it.

Next question: any idea on how much a new housing and related parts are gonna be?

Do i have to(or should) do/buy anything else besides just removing the housing? i.e. special tools, lube, gaskets etc.

I appreciate all the responses and advice so far. Every shop i have called has told me about $500-700 to do the work and thats replacing everything.

The housing and impeller kit retails for about $100.00. Depending on accessibility it should be $125.00 to $175.00 in labor

**BDMarine** · 06-12-2008, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by BOBALOO

Especially if you can get them for FREE !

**Kylemenz1** · 06-13-2008, 02:04 PM

HitIt could not have said it better. I had a little leak from the impeller after a fuel pump change...no big deal right? Wrong!!!!! I did not know that the fuel pump needed oil in the case when I changed to an electric fuel pump. soon after the small leak started and soon after that I was being towed off the lake due to a frozen impeller. It wasn't until I took the whole unit off that I could see that it needed oil...DUH.

Spend the few bucks and and change the whole thing before it leaves you floating in the middle of the lake with an overheating engine. I learned the hard way.

**BDMarine** · 06-16-2008, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by Kylemenz1

HitIt could not have said it better. I had a little leak from the impeller after a fuel pump change...no big deal right? Wrong!!!!! I did not know that the fuel pump needed oil in the case when I changed to an electric fuel pump. soon after the small leak started and soon after that I was being towed off the lake due to a frozen impeller. It wasn't until I took the whole unit off that I could see that it needed oil...DUH.

Spend the few bucks and and change the whole thing before it leaves you floating in the middle of the lake with an overheating engine. I learned the hard way.

Or you could just read post #5 & #7....

**Havasu Hangin** · 06-16-2008, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by BDMarine

Or you could just read post #5 & #7....

Better check the oil in the pump...just in case.

**BDMarine** · 06-18-2008, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Havasu Hangin'

Better check the oil in the pump...just in case.

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Impeller pump leaking? HELP!

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