merc 115 water pump access

[h2oTherapy]

I am rebuilding my '90 merc 115 (4 cyl). I am waiting for parts for the power head rebuild, and thought that while I was waiting, I would rebuild my water pump. <br />The manual says that prior to removing the gear housing, to put the boat in forward gear, but since the power head is off, I couldn't really do that. I removed the nuts holding the gear housing on and the housing is loose from the shaft housing/bolts, but the unit won't drop off. I tried rotating the shift shaft to different positions, but the housing was still getting hung up. I didn't want to pry too hard for fear of bending something.<br />Any ideas?<br />H2O

 

[Spidybot]

Re: merc 115 water pump access

Your gear linkage has to be dismantled. When put in gear the screw for this is moved to a point where you can access it.<br /><br />The gear link moves upwards and downwards in the leg when the gear is shifted so you have to move the link as if.<br /><br />If you remove the unit by force you have to break the linkage if not taken apart.

 

[ehenry]

Re: merc 115 water pump access

sounds like to me you don't have all the nuts and bolts loose. I had a Merc that had 4 nuts (2 on either side of L/U) to be removed and a bolt at the very rear of the lower unit housing. The bolt was accessible through a hole in the lower unit housing. Check your manual it should show the location of all nuts and bolts.

 

[h2oTherapy]

Re: merc 115 water pump access

I definately have all mounting bolts/nuts loose. The gear housing is loose on the shaft housing, so I know that there is no undiscovered mounting hardware. But I think something in the shift mechinism is getting hung up.