"Purchased used 1997 6HP recen
"Purchased used 1997 6HP recently. No info available about the condition of the engine at purchase. Changed the plugs (the original plugs were still in the engine) and it started immediately.
Water flowed from the little hose at the bottom of engine cover at first, then it sputtered, flowed fine, sputtered, and stopped flowing.
Installed water pump rebuild kit. The impeller housing was partly blocked at the outlet of the little metal cup. I cleaned it up, and restored it with a little epoxy mixed w/ microballoons.
Started the engine in tank. Water flowed immediately, then sputtered, quit. I let it run for a while hoping the flow would return, and it did briefly, then quit again. I cut engine off with a fine mist and possibly steam blowing out of the little rubber tube.
What to do next?"
"Purchased used 1997 6HP recently. No info available about the condition of the engine at purchase. Changed the plugs (the original plugs were still in the engine) and it started immediately.
Water flowed from the little hose at the bottom of engine cover at first, then it sputtered, flowed fine, sputtered, and stopped flowing.
Installed water pump rebuild kit. The impeller housing was partly blocked at the outlet of the little metal cup. I cleaned it up, and restored it with a little epoxy mixed w/ microballoons.
Started the engine in tank. Water flowed immediately, then sputtered, quit. I let it run for a while hoping the flow would return, and it did briefly, then quit again. I cut engine off with a fine mist and possibly steam blowing out of the little rubber tube.
What to do next?"

