Honda - Water Pump Replaceement - When?

[dd716ted]

I have a 2003 Honda 50HP that has about 80 hours on it (both salt and fresh water). Two Questions.. (1) How often /when should the water pump be replaced and (2) if replacement is warranted, should I do the whole unit (water pump kit) or just the impeller?

 

[vikingham]

Re: Honda - Water Pump Replaceement - When?

The conventional wisdom is that you should replace the impeller every two years; the seals and all should be replaced when you dismantle the water pump, so the whole kit is the right way to go.<br /><br />For people who often get into shallows, where sand can get into the system, and folks who put a ton of hours on (like commercial users), two years seems right, or maybe even too long. <br /><br />For those of us who put 30-40-50-60 hours a year on our engines, and don't go way offshore or cruise in remote locations, I have to wonder if two years is overkill. The impeller IS critical to the survival of the engine, no doubt - but I replaced the original one after seven years on my Honda 90, and it was in very good shape. <br /><br />I won't wait seven years again (I only did this time because the owner's manual made no reference to replacing it and I didn't know I was supposed to), but I would be comfortable waiting, say, three years instead of two.

 

[tommays]

Re: Honda - Water Pump Replaceement - When?

Its good to just replace because if you wait to long it may not come apart with out a LOT of problems VS a quick and easy job with bolts that come out.<br /><br />tommays

 

[Manxman]

Re: Honda - Water Pump Replaceement - When?

Funny things impellers. I also have a 50hp honda. First replaced the impeller after two years with a genuine honda replacement.<br />Eighteen months later I was flushing the engine with the muffs after a fishing trip and it wouldn't pump water at all.<br /><br />That got me worried a bit, as you probably know its a bit difficult to see water streaming from the pee hole when under way. <br /><br />To rectify this and to get a stream of water that was clearly visible I removed the little plastic bit that comes thro' the casing and pushed in a ninety degree bend from a windscreen washer tube, another inch of pipe with the plastic gizmo in was connected to the other end of the bend.<br /><br />I now get a jet of water shooting out a couple of feet from the engine thats clearly visible

 

[dd716ted]

Re: Honda - Water Pump Replaceement - When?

Thanks for the inputs... I have decided to install the entire water pump kit since I will have it torn down... One more question...what type of anti-sieze should I use when replacing the pump cover bolts and lower end bolts.. Possibly the same anti-sieze that I put on the prop shaft spline once a year?

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Honda - Water Pump Replaceement - When?

Since my BF50 is a jetpump I remove my lower unit often to adjust the jet impeller clearance. I inspect my water pump often. At 300 hours I had a torn waterpump impeller. The seals and oring for the housing were just as stressed.<br />The two year figure is a nice safe conservative one. I recommend the Honda OE kit and impeller.<br /><br />As a note for those that don't replace the impeller automatically. A missing vane on the impeller is noticable at the telltale. Usually the stream is constant. The missing vane causes the stream to rythmically pulsate. Almost a chattering sound as the stream hits the water at idle.

 

[MajBach]

Re: Honda - Water Pump Replaceement - When?

For comparison.....<br />Honda 1999 90 hp - still on its original water pump; averaging about 150+ hrs per season. Won't push my luck this year though

 

[granpafish]

Re: Honda - Water Pump Replaceement - When?

Manxman, That is a good tip. Thanks. Granpa