removing lower unit

Im gonna try to change my waterpump for the first time. 03 Yamaha F90TLRB, should I put it in gear or neutral before removing it? Any helpfull advice would be greatly appreciated,thanks.

Re: removing lower unit

Havn't worked much on the smaller motors...but on a true Yamaha, you always just leave it in neutral...just be sure lower unit is still in neutral also going back on....but now the Mercury Yamahas/Yamaha Mercurys from back then I think were only bigger and tiny motors, Mercs are usually left in forward gear....yours will be neutral i'm sure..

Re: removing lower unit

Leave motor in neutral, replace entire water pump kit, not just the impellar. I just did my first water pump replacement a few months ago and I was surprised that it wasn't the nightmare I'd read about. Check: SIMYamaha-Andy's Tips, for step-by-step instructions with photos on water pump replacement, very helpful! Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

Re: removing lower unit

thanks a bunch for the advice. does Sierra make good waterpump kits, or should I spend a little more for genuine Yamaha parts? Im also going to fab. a wooden rack to hold the LU vertical while im working on it.

Re: removing lower unit

I would use the Yamaha parts for sure, the entire water pump kit is only about $50. A pair of 2"X4" boards, side by side, and about 4"apart, screwed into the top of your workbench, hanging over the front about 15" makes a great place to set your lower unit to work on it.
The 90HP Yamaha doesn't have those little wave washer/compression rings, so that's just one less thing to deal with. Make sure your impellar vanes are turned in the appropriate direction for driveshaft rotation(make a mental note when you first look at it). Not that much to it, as long as none of your bolts don't break off due to corrosion. I used the Quicksilver 2-4-C Waterproof grease for impellar re-assembly and all bolt threads. Good Luck!