Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

jeckel7234

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 14, 2012
Messages
49
I have a 1965 Johnson 18hp, it was running fine but today i replaced the water pump impeller and now the motor wont start?? the shift linkage is still attatched, but when i pull the cord to start it every now and then the cord will catch itself (very annoying) thanks for any advice where i could have potentially slipped up.
 

jeckel7234

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Jan 14, 2012
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Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

is the impeller supposed to rotate a certain way?
 

hoytvectrix

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 6, 2009
Messages
114
Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

yes, it is supposed to rotate a certain way. You probably bent the impeller fins in the opposite direction of rotation. Look at the old impeller and you'll see which way is right.
 

jeckel7234

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Jan 14, 2012
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Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

i threw it away, i guess ill just go the opposite way. but would that cause it not to start
 

nwcove

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May 16, 2011
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Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

it should start with the impeller vanes oriented wrong, and some will tell you that the impeller will flip its vanes right after it starts. when you say the cord " catches", do you mean the engine tries to start and kicks back? did you remove the plug wires before you started the impeller job?
 

jeckel7234

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Jan 14, 2012
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Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

no i didnt remove the plug wires, and i mean when i pull the cord back to try and start it, it stops about half way through and jerks my arm to a stop
 

Daviet

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Sep 24, 2008
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8,958
Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

It sure sounds like the plug wires are crossed. Remove the plug wires and pull the engine through and see if it seems to operate properly. It will not start, but see if it tries to catch with no spark.
 

jeckel7234

Seaman Apprentice
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Jan 14, 2012
Messages
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Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

i did remove them after i replaced the impeller, trying to spin the flywheel to seat the lower unit, im gonna go try that hear in a min
 

jeckel7234

Seaman Apprentice
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Jan 14, 2012
Messages
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Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

good call fellas i appreciate the help sorry my lapse in the smarts. I had the wires mixed up Thanks again
 

nwcove

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May 16, 2011
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6,293
Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

keep an eye on the "pee stream"! happy boating.
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Changed pump impeller now motor wont start?????

Done it, easy fix but alittle embarrasing, I have them labeled now TOP-BOTTOM.
 
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