1967 Johnson 33 water pump problem

[oldobs]

"The water pump impeller total

"The water pump impeller totally disintigrated due to ice damaging(bending) the WP plate. There was no damage under the plate, so I replaced the plate, impeller and pin.I used a hose to flush out the powerhead and had lots of water coming out of the upper exhaust outlet.(without powerhead removal)I tested the motor in a barrel(50 gallon) and the pump worked fine for a few minutes at idle , then slowly decreased to just steam out of the exhaust outlet. Could the underwater exhaust cause the WP to cavitate or is there some debris plugging the powerhead? I removed the PH and LU and blasted air and water through every passage I could find, but no debris.The parts list shows a cover plate in the mid section , where a local dealer says there could be an accumulation of WP pieces, but I can't find any plate on any of the 28/33 mid sections I have. Help please!"

 

[charli]

As much as I remember there is

As much as I remember there is no access to the water system in the drive housing. The water tube goes up from the pump to the engine. I kind of remember a cover plate in the inside housing but I don't think it was an entry for the water system. This plate was under the outer cover which needed to be removed to access it.
I find it hard to believe that it could freeze hard enough that the plate was bent but there wasn't any damage to the area just under the plate. There is a thin vain under the plate that almost always breaks off if there has been any freeze problems.
If all else checks out recheck the area under the water pump plate. This vain may have been cracked and after running the engine broke off.
If low pressure compressed air will pass through the system water should as well if the impeller is working.