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Old Evinrude Problems

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rkrasean

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I have a 1961 5.5HP Evinrude that has been in storage for several years. I was able to get it started (new gas and spark plugs) but found it is not pumping water. I checked the inlets and outlets for obstructions - all OK. So I figured the impeller was bad (after this long). Then I found out you have to remove the entire powerhead to get at the impeller. It was not a terrible job but took some time. I was able to remove the powerhead, drop the lower unit and replace the impeller. Please note the old impeller did not look that bad. Got everything put back together with no issues. Fired up the motor and to my chagrin - still not pumping water! I also replaced the thermostat and even tried running it without a thermostat to see if that was a problem. Still not pulling any water. The motor runs great but I can't use it without burning it up. Any ideas out there? No obstructions, new impeller - what else could it be? I hate to tear it all down again (should have tested the pump when I had it apart!).
 
Was water in your test bucket above the pump ?----Are you sure you used the correct gasket between block and exhaust housing.
 
I tried first using a set of the flush muffs that work great on bigger motors. Then I tried using a 5 gal bucket. Pretty sure the water line was above the pump. And I did replace all gaskets and o-rings. So I am stumped. Once sure thing would be to dismantle again and test the pump manually (saw a youtube demo on this). I'd only do that as a last resort if I can't figure anything else out.
 
The pump will work if you put the pin in there to turn the impeller.----But did the copper tube come out stuck in the pump ?----If it did you have to remove it and install it into the exhaust housing first.,
 
The copper tube did not come out stuck in the pump. It sounds like I will need to dismantle again and make sure the copper tube is installed correctly and the impeller is actually working (via manual test). Don't know what else it could be.
 
usually the copper tube falls out when you take those apart. If you missed it, or someone gave it to you because it wouldn't pump water, you need to know that most home mechanics that tear into those old engines(even if they weren't old when they did) often lost the tube that connects the upper unit to the lower unit and supplys the channel that the water gets sucked up through. heh heh! I never thought I would ever have to tell anyone that!!! you really should buy a manual on it and make sure everything is ok.
 
I would try getting it in water 6 inches over the pump first. I dont think a 5 gallon bucket will allow it to get high enough over the pump.
 
Thanks for the advice. I will get the motor into some deeper water before I tear into it again. If it still is not pumping water you may be onto something with the copper tube issue. I did not check to make sure it was seated properly - or if it was even there. It did not pull out with the lower unit so that is something to check. Will report back later.
 
I put the motor in deeper water (at least 6" over impeller area) and it is still not pumping water. So I tore it all down to check it out. The copper water tube is intact and installed correctly. So I tested the water pump by submerging the lower unit in a 5 gallon bucket and turning the driveshaft manually (with a drill). In this case, the direction was counterclockwise as that follows the direction of the impeller. No water came out the outlet of the impeller housing. Although I assembled the impeller the same as the old one, is it possible the old impeller was installed backwards? I am at a loss as to why water is not pumping.
 
It rotates clockwise, as viewed from above!!! But if the (new) impeller is installed backwards, the vanes will flip after running a minute or so. Good luck with the drill test, it really proves very little. In the real world, the pump is surrounded by air (exhaust).
 
Yeah I figured out the shaft rotates clockwise (from above). So I re-installed the impeller based on it rotating clockwise. I ran it manually again in the water bucket with the drill running clockwise. It just won't pull any water. My only other thought is could there be a blockage somewhere in the housing that keeps water from being pulled in? The water intake screen looks OK but I have not taken it apart.
 
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