Water pump

[rwmanahan]

I have a 1991 Evinrude 20hp can't seem to get any water to pump through. Installed new water pump kit and still will not pump any suggestions would be appreciated !!

[C-Hawk18]

Might be a dumb question but are you running "in" water or on flusher? If you are running on a flusher that could be your problem. Some of those smaller OMC motors have a hole under the cavation plate that must be sealed if you are running it on a flusher. I had a 1995 25hp that was like that. Put the motor in a tub of water and it should be fine. The hole is very hard to seal "temporarily".

If you are already running it "in" water then you may have missed lining up the water tube to the PH.

[rwmanahan]

I am running it in a tub. I just finished taking it apart and it seems everything was right. How do they pump water when in neutral it seems like shaft has to be turning to turn the impeller. Just trying to save some money by doing myself !!

[bottom scratcher]

Do you run in typically low or muddy water? If you do, you may have some gunk in the copper tube that feeds the power head. Take the lower unit down and run a coat hanger up the tube in the leg above the water pump. The only other thing is if the key on the shaft slipped off and the impeller is not turning with the shaft. Remember that when you put the impeller on that it turns clockwise looking down on the impeller. The shaft turns all the time while the engine is running. Good luck

[rwmanahan]

Thanks I'll let you know how I make out !!!

[THOMAS70]

Thermostat ?

[rwmanahan]

Well put everything back together and the pump circulated some water and now it stopped pumping again. I'm no mechanic but I couldn't find a thermostat. Would this model year have one. Might be time to see a mechanic !!!

[bottom scratcher]

To get to the thermostat on you 20hp, you have to remove the cylinder head cover at the rear of the engine. The thermostat is at the very top of the engine. If you do this, you'll need to replace the cover gasket and the thermostat seal. Make sure that when you run the motor in a tube that the tub is deep enough (half way up the leg at least).

When you removed the old impeller, was it intact or were there sections boke off. If it was broken, you'll have to track the pieces. When working on Honda's, I found pieces at the top in the hole for the thermostat. Parts # 16 & 17 are T-stat & gasket. Part #49 is the cover gasket. Parts 8 & 9 are deflector that divert the water for proper cooling. They can some times dislodge or melt due to overheating causing problems.

[rwmanahan]

The old impeller was in very good shape. I just didn't think all the older motors had thermostats. Thanks for the diagram, I'll tell you how it turns out!!

[rwmanahan]

New thermostat and two gaskets and everything works fine. You guys are always willing to help. Thanks alot to everyone.