Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

[Back Bay Boater]

Over the weekend I ran in to some shallow water and sucked some sand up in my 1990 50hp force outboard. When I got home, I hooked up my flushing ears to my motor along with my Salt-x contraption and flushed my motor out. At first, no water was coming out of my telltale, but eventually it started pissing. After 5 minutes, my overheat buzzer came on. I shut down and later the afternoon I hooked the ears back up and started up the motor, no buzzer came on. Should I be worried that I still may have some sand in the motor? If so, can anyone tell me what preventive maintenance I should do? <br />Thanks in advance, <br />John

 

[revertmastec]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

I would replace the impeller. It doesn't take muck to ruin the fins on the impeller. Cheap enough to do for the reassurance.

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

Yes...you will probebly have to change the entire water pump.<br /><br />The aluminum housing is not very tolerant of sand.<br /><br />TMD

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

Definately agree with the others. I toasted a motor this way. Changing the water pump is way more fun than trying salvage a burned up motor.

 

[Back Bay Boater]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your guidance. Does anyone know if a complete water pump kit is available or do I need to buy the impeller and housing separately? Also, would anyone know what gaskets I need to order to do the whole job?<br /><br />Thanks again!

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

You can buy a kit...it will be cheaper that way.<br /><br /> If you choose to do just the impeller I believe one of the sponsors of Iboats can help you out.<br /><br />But for a Kit you will have to go directly to a Mercury/Force supplier.<br /><br />TMD

 

[scotiany]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

To TMD, got a question. Do you think the water pump kit for the force(Mercury part) would fit a 1970 Chrysler 55hp?

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

Your part # is FK1073.<br /><br />TMD

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

While you have the lower unit off to replace the impeller, pull off the thermostat cover and back flush the powerhead with a garden hose through the thermostat housing and out through the water tube. Then clamp a garden hose on the water tube and forward flush out through the thermostat housing to get any residual sand out.

 

[bradley1393]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

When you have the lower unit off i would check the water tube they are prone to packing with sand...if that is the case the water jacket and t-stat may also need cleaned.

 

[force01]

Re: Help - Sucked up sand in my motor.

Bradley,<br />I have looked at all the posts everbody is on the right track. <br /><br />EDIT: We do not allow sales promotion, here, Force01. Please do not offer items for sale.<br /><br />JB