THIS is why...

[Embrey]

you have your water pump changed at LEAST every 2 years...no matter whether it has 5 hrs or 200 hrs... or you will find out the hard way,and the stranded way...lol. this one is about to say see ya


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...ledgt/mark.jpg

[FlyLie]

Thanks for the post. I'm going into my 3rd year with my 90 hp, 4-stroke Merc. Say, changing out the pump, is that something a guy with a little mechanical aptitude could do, or should I take it to a marine mechanic? In the case of the latter, what kind of expense am I looking at? (ball park)

Thanks,

[lilmule]

Price depends upon location and make of motor etc generally like 60-70 bucks,part is about 30
While not hard to do price of a screw up is a lot more.
So it makes sense every time motor is in shop change it or have it changed,at least once every two years even if not in shop.Its a rubber wheel basically subject to pressure and temperature and the motors life depends upon it.
Many motors are designed to limp back in however does not mean no damage.
I once drew a guy who had actually lost his the day prior heard alarm yet still wanted to run his boat we got 15 miles from ramp spent next 6 hrs getting back at idle,willing to bet that merc was junk.

[Embrey]

Price depends upon location and make of motor etc generally like 60-70 bucks,part is about 30
While not hard to do price of a screw up is a lot more.
So it makes sense every time motor is in shop change it or have it changed,at least once every two years even if not in shop.Its a rubber wheel basically subject to pressure and temperature and the motors life depends upon it.
Many motors are designed to limp back in however does not mean no damage.
I once drew a guy who had actually lost his the day prior heard alarm yet still wanted to run his boat we got 15 miles from ramp spent next 6 hrs getting back at idle,willing to bet that merc was junk.

all motors are a little different on price. im assuming you are pricing an impellar only? not worth the time to me. there can be wear on the other parts as well as gaskets get old as well. buy the whole kit. for 50-100 bucks depending on the motor, its not worth the chance to me. a gasket blowing out is the same as not having a water pump just the same. i doubt youll get the labor done that cheap either...lol.

[lilmule]

Since ive been quoted my last omc water impeller cost 26 dollars,the gaskit he keeps on hand and they arnt much $ so 70 dollars goes a long ways when already in the shop,as for labor anyone who charges over 1 hr shop labor is ripping you off.
Im rural tn $63 an hr,so even if that was only thing done its under 100 bucks,and does not take them an hr.Well worth the preventive maintenance.By itself 1 hr shop labor min,already in there time just added to the other.
Just as homes in NJ cost more ,they cost less here same with boats and marine engines and work done on them with a long line waiting work.
And different brands as well have different costs
Older omc are a dime a dozen,parts relatively cheap other than electrics,thus why some of us run old omc,you can keep ficht and while etec is great cost is hefty,my 1977 140 xflow puts out same 122 hp,as a 115 HO,about 9,000 difference in price,and 125 lbs lighter.1977 first year of mfg -297 lbs.
Regardless of where one lives, cost one has to pay its relatively cheap,compared to the damage it can cause,so while its in shop replace the pump.
And cant help it if the rest of you have to pay more for the same,still worth the price of admission.

[Embrey]

well , like i said, thats just the impellar...lol. theres also a housing it goes in ,and a few other small things, depending on model.

[GeoFisher]

I've had a couple quotes on mine and your 100 dollar quote is pretty low I think.......Almost all shops around LOU are double that.........

I should say my kit is right at 60 bucks...........

I think it depends on the motor though........

Later,

Geo

[lilmule]

That was for my impeller cost was under 30 bucks plus labor,and my brand and my location,all things change and my last time was exactly two years ago.
Done in New Concord Ky,ricks boat repair.
Mercs yammers im sure cost more than old school omc,point being if even 200 sure beats the result if not done.
Stator is expensive around 425,and omc part, as for the rest of the motor much is made by others now days,including lower units brand new for under 1000 dollars.
They also make oem equal parts for mercs and yammers including lower units and impellers,net result if not done with either is many more $.
So my estimate may seem low ball,again my brand my location,and with non omc part.
Motor cant seem to tell the difference my wallet can.
Regardless of location costs that differ and parts used that differ,cost is minimal compared to net results.
If it were taken in for that alone right at 100 bucks,if done while doing something else about 25 cheaper,but thats here,not there or was 2 years ago when changed last time.
Would do again but sold that one,someone elses problem now,most recent was done prior to me owning it and had it 1 year.
My own thoughts are every two years its cheap preventive maintenance.

[artcarney_agr]

I've had a couple quotes on mine and your 100 dollar quote is pretty low I think.......Almost all shops around LOU are double that.........

I think that's because it's in Louisville......the shops around town take advantage of the summer people or weekend warrior ski boat crowd; that crowd pays whatever the shop says because they don't know any better. I think that's the point lilmule was trying to make about prices varying from location - some places just charge whatever because they know they'll get it, and in Louisville especially.

[FlyLie]

Thanks to all, interesting information! So, assuming cost for parts are about the same for all shops, then your responses suggest one should "shop around" based upon local labor charges. Also, considering, winter time is down time for most marine shops, then location and timing should equate to lower prices? What you think?

[lilmule]

Location,timing and knowing your repair person all equate,winter just means less wait in line.Thats a set fee type of job,other things in the winter they will do cheaper like redoing a gel coat.
Thus why if its already in the shop pays to do it its been awhile,every 2-3 years and done that way doesnt quite or shouldnt quite cost as much even in loiusville.
Some things are or need to be oem parts,many however do not why pay 60 diollars for oem rubber wheel when 26 elsewhere covers it.
They may even be saving some bucks and installing it anyway,therefore pays to know really know your mechanic.
I run cheap motors costing under 1500 and often less yet pay to have preventive maintenance done so its not a throw away sooner rather than later.End of the year cable lube and fogged,cant help it if a house costs 180 k in new jersey and 60 here,or a hop skip and a jump away in ky.
Just guessing nyc would be high as well.They tend to charge what the market permits locally,just dont always wear a mask.
Are you a number or an individual,does he (mechanic)call you by your first name,and do you actually like him,and trust him.
Bottom line even if it costs more elsewhere its cheap preventive maintenance.

[onemorecast56]

I agree with embrey,,change them out every 2 yrs,,,BUT this is the thing that kills the pumps,,DON`T EVER START YOUR MOTOR WITH OUT MUFFS!!!!!!!!!! I just sold my Stratos and the guy wanted to trade in his V-hull to me and was tellling how good his motor was,,he started it up with out muffs or water and ran it and rived it up for 30 sec`s that killled it for me,,,dumbass! It don`t take but a few sec`s to burn a pump up,,,,never,,i mean never start your motor with out water! I work on boats for a living and these kinda people i like,,,now something esle I`ve found out is that for older motors ,,90 on backmmand like late 70`s and early 80s the pumps are higher priced. I replace pumps for 100.00 bucks incudeing the empeller while you wait,,,,