How to Get the Water Pump Out of a Boat Engine

Boat engine water pumps serve a very important function . They induct water from the sea or lake and circulate it through the engine passages and heat exchanger. Since boat engines run at full throttle most of the time, their engine temperatures must be kept in check to avoid engine overheating. The impellers in boat water pumps have multiple rotating vanes. They are constructed of rubber, which guards against saltwater corrosion.

Instructions

1

Remove the boat from the water, if moored or docked, and transport it to a suitable work location. Remove the engine cover by unsnapping the engine cover clasps, or use a socket and wrench to remove the engine cover hold-down bolts. Place the engine cover aside. Locate the water pump at the front of the engine, next to the crankshaft pulley. Refer to your owner's manual for its exact location. You will see the water pump sitting behind its own pulley, with two large hoses exiting the pump body.

2

Set a drain pan directly under the water pump. Use a large flat-head screwdriver to loosen the hose clamps at the necks of the pump. Gently twist the hoses back and forth and pull them off the necks. Locate the two or three bolts that hold the water pump bracket to the engine block. Use a socket to loosen all of the bolts and slide the pump on the bracket until the water pump pulley belt loosens. Slip the belt over the pulley.

3

Remove the the bracket bolts with the socket. Turn the water pump over and look at the backside of the pump housing. You will see a cover plate or cover housing that has six or so screws in it. The screws will either have a Phillips head or slot-head design. Use the appropriate screwdriver to loose and remove the screws. If the plate or housing configuration has four bolt heads, use a socket to remove them.

4

Pry the cover plate (or housing) away from the water pump. Use a screwdriver to wedge the seam open, if it appears stuck. Be careful not to tear the gasket or pinch the O-ring seal inside. Pull the cover plate off. Notice the inside of the housing and the orientation of the rubber impeller blades -- the blades will curve in one direction. Remember the direction of the curve. Use a pair of pliers to grip the metal, middle part of the impeller hub and pull it out.

5

Keep the shaft key from falling down, if it has a key-way slot and key. If the key adheres to the shaft, leave it there; you will need to place the new impeller over the key-way shaft, exactly as you removed it. Clean the inside of the water pump housing with carburetor cleaner and Emory cloth. Make sure no pebbles or twigs remain jammed inside near the inlet or outlet hose openings. Wipe the water pump housing dry with a towel and apply some Vaseline inside the pump housing chamber.