water pump

[imaduckin up north]

i have a 2005 25hp 4 stroke yamaha on my duck boat , i do yearly fluid changes but was wondering when i need to change the water pump. its pumping strong now but dont want it to give out while im hunting. opinions?

[shoot-n-goose]

I'm not familiar with yamahas, but must outboards have an impeller in the lower unit.

If it does have an impeller and its putting the water through the system fine, leave it as is. Even a damaged impeller will work, it will just be weaker. The things that kill impellers is letting sand and silt get into the system because it tears the rubber blades apart. On an '05 you should be fine for at least a couple more years, unless you do run it conditions when sand and junk can get into it.

If it ain't broke don't fix it Or is it, if it ain't broke, fix it till it is

If you actually have a water pump, disregard what I just said

[swampbilly 1980]

....imaduckin', shootin' goose had some good suggestions. I would add that when a motor sits for a while, the rubber impeller can dry up, especially an old one and when you go to start it after, say, 4or 5 mos., it can stick to the sides of the housing and fail the first time you pull it to start because it's so dry. That's why you see so many people replacing waterpumps in the spring after the long winter storage. I take the lower unit off every year and grease the impeller with white lithium to avoid the hassel

[BFThunter]

Depending on the amount of hours every 2-4 years. If you change all of your fluids you can easily change the impeller. It is cheap insurance so why not? 5 bolts to drop the lower, 4 bolts holding on the h2o pump housing, and ta-da. Every two years for all of my boats (twin yami's/pursuit, honda 35 duck boat). To each his own.

[imaduckin up north]

thanks guys

[Brodie James]

I just sold a 25 Merc that I used year around since I bought it new in 1995. Never did replace the impeller and plate. I replaced the impeller on my 15 Merc back up motor last year for the first time. I bought it new in 1996. I wouldn't worry about yours for quite a while unless you are one of those guys that starts your motor out of water on a regular basis.

[Dingbatter]

I just got mine ( 99 40 hp yamaha) out ot the shop Friday having the waterpump replaced. It still had a good strong stream except on idle it got weak so I went ahead and changed it. Unless you run your boat in some really shallow sandy conditions you'll probably be fine this season but I would suggest getting it replaced after hunting season ends. Just to be safe.

[Jhworley]

A tell tale sign is when water stops shooting out the "pee hole"... Keep a weed whacker cord handy on your boat. If you ever notice the water dripping or not coming out at all (of the pee hole) put t he weed whacker cord in the discharge (with the motor running). Most times sand, mud, etc just clogs it and a quick push of the cord in the discharge will un clog it and clean it out.
If you do this, and nothing happens... Good chance you need a new impeller.
I changed mine out, on my 90/65 jet, after 3 years of use. It showed no signs of weaking... just did it to be proactive.