new impeller but no water through the Tell Tell

[Roger104]

I just bought an 86 model Alumacraft with a 35 hp Mercury ( 86 model also). At first the motor did not have spark. I posted on this forum a couple of times and the motor runs fine now. I knew that since I had turned the engine over so often that I would need to replace the impeller. The engine did pee with the old one but the stream was weak (no flowmax jokes please......well, OK, just one). Anyway, I pulled the lower unit after watching dozens of youtube videos. Replacing the impeller was an easy job. I did have to make a top gasket but everything seemed to seal down. I inserted the impeller by turning the main shaft clockwise while pressing down on the water pump housing. I reinstalled the lower unit and hooked my muffs and started the motor. No water came out of the Tell Tell. After waiting for about 60 seconds I cut the engine off. I removed the foot again and double checked everything. I installed the foot again, using straps to help hold the unit as I double checked the water tube to insure that it was pushing into the top of the water pump. Now, when I start the engine, I do not get any water from the Tell Tell but there is air pressure as I can feel it blowing against my finger. I do not believe that the Tell Tell is plugged. Next, I removed the muffs, and put the biggest tub I had under the engine and filled the water up to the bottom fin. Again, all I get is air pressure but no water. I do have some water coming out of the two small exhaust ports, as I would expect. What I have done wrong? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[timguy]

The water level has to be several inches above the WATER PUMP.....That plate, (anti-cavitation), is BELOW the pump. Your water muffs should force water into the pump and it should indicate through the "water display discharge opening". If not, perhaps there is a blockage at the intake side of pump.

 

[Roger104]

timguy, thanks for the advice. I actually went out and bought a rubber trash can tonight. I will place the engine in it tomorrow and fill it up and see what happens. Thanks again.

 

[Roger104]

Problem solved. Thanks to timguy for the hint. When I took the foot off the first time, there was no slinger seal on the shaft above the water pump housing. I ordered one from Amazon two weeks ago. It still hasn't arrived. I got tired of missing fishing days so I made one from a 3/4" hose, to match the ones I saw on YouTube. The seal apparently was blocking the water to the pump. I removed the foot, removed the homemade seal and put it back together. Everything seems to be working just fine now. Thanks again for the help.

 

[timguy]

Way to go, Roger. Now about fishing.....