350 mercruisier bravo III water pump issues

jcalln · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 12:21 pm **Posts:** 3

I have a 2005 four winns horizon with the 350 mercruisier bravo III engine. Recently when I take the boat out of the water I stated noticing that there was excessive water draining from the intake holes on my outdrive. I took the boat to my mechanic and without looking at it he said the water pumps that they were using on this engine in 2005 was a piece of crap and that it is probably starting to fail and that replacing it would solve my issues. The problem is the new improved water pump is $650.00 + 3 hours labor to switch out because of the location of the pump. I guess my question is, is this pump failure as common as he made it sound and does the price seem reasonable? I would hate to pay all that money for a pump and have it not solve the problem. My other issue is I have family coming in from out of state specifically to go out on the lake and watch the fireworks tomorrow. The boat runs fine as recently as yesterday I had it in the water, the mechanic said it won't do any further damage to use it tomorrow and then get it fixed. I'm aware that if the pump completely fails i will be dead in the water, I will take that risk. I just don't want risk any other damage to the engine. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jason

pet575 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:02 pm

Are we talking seawater pump or circulation pump? I had an issue with my seawater pump that wasn't quite what you had going on.

http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7491

Borchik · **Posted:** Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:34 pm

for that price you must have the seawater pump with air fittings, personally i have never updated any pumps to others due to issues like that. if water is draining out like that it means that water is bypassing the impeller, could be as simple as needing a new impeller so i would not condemn the whole thing without first taking it apart.

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:55 pm

I'm with Borchik. For those kind of dollars, he's talking raw water pump. If you've never over heated it, chances are, it's totally rebuildable. As Borchik say, simple as a new impeller. It's even DIYable.

DIYable,,,,,did I just make a new internet word?

John :mrgreen:

Xavid · **Posted:** Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:55 pm

Mine has always dripped water for days after parking in the driveway after boating. I have seen this discussed On other sites and the consensus is that this is probably normal. It hasnt changed with new impellers or after pulling the drive for inspection. I have almost 400 hours on this engine. How does one in fact check the raw water pump any way?

jcalln · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 12:21 pm **Posts:** 3

The idea that it might be as simple as the impeller is very exciting news. How mechanically difficult is changing that? I would rate myself as a 3 out of 10 on a mechanically able scale. But the boat is definitely not overheating it runs same as always. Thanks for the help.

pet575 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2012 11:12 am

Don't know if we have exactly the same setup but look through my thread I linked to in my previous post.

gregs · **Posted:** Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:14 pm

My 6.2 Bravo 1 has always dripped for days. Smartcraft water pressure is up over 13psi at speed. 1-2 psi at idle.

I do not relish the thought of changing the impeller. It has been brilliantly documented here:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7491&p=72143&hilit=impeller+replacement+instructions#p72143

Thanks Paul.

jcalln · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 12:21 pm **Posts:** 3

pet575, that link is great! Thanks for the help, I am going to try the replacement tomorrow.

www.iFourWinns.com

350 mercruisier bravo III water pump issues

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