[Smileysaab]

I have just given my 1998 30HP Mercury 2 stroke a quick winter service and fired it up for the first time. No water from the tell-tale so I assume that the water pump impeller is stuck having been idle for the last 4 months. Is there a cunning way to free it up without the major hassle of stripping the whole thing down?

Thanks, Rob

[Beek14]

Well, if you're comfortable with the lower unit, it will have to be removed. In order to even touch the impeller, you are going to have to drop out the lower unit, and pull the 3-4 screws out of the impeller housing. from there you just slide it up the drive shaft and there is your water pump. The whole process doesn't take too long at all, if you do it correctly. Good practice also says to replace the impeller every time you touch it anyways. Thus giving your motor that much more life and something you shouldn't have to deal with again while you're already working on it. There are pretty cheap anyways when in the grand scheme of things, having a bad one will wreck the motor. Good luck

[Smileysaab]

Thanks Beek. So no short cuts... I will get the manual and proceed with care. Cheers.

[mthieme]

No shortcuts. There is also no sticking impellers either. If it's "stuck" - it ain't spinning. You still need to go in.
It's not a hard job although older motors can be more obstinate coming apart.
I'm going to assume you have never had this apart. I would advise you to wait to get it apart before purchasing parts. There are several different kits which include a varying quantity of parts. You may or may not need all of them. The stainless cup I believe is an extra too if it is scored.
Might save you a second trip.