Water pump doesn't work 1959 5.5 johnson cd-16

[byronjacobson]

I bought this motor this spring and discovered the lower drive shaft was broke. Ordered a new one and installed it this afternoon. I thought the impellar looked in pretty good shape so i didn't replace it. After getting everything together and starting the motor, there was not one single drop of water being pumped out the exhaust. I'm thinking there is blockage or something. Any ideas before buying a new impellar and possibly still having the same problem. You can call me at 320 six three four- 4919 or email me jake331@charter.net. Thanks.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Water pump doesn't work 1959 5.5 johnson cd-16

Drop the lower unit and double check your work..... water tube inserted in the pump grommet properly, key still in the impeller slot where it should be? If so, install a new impeller or complete water pump kit.

 

[OptsyEagle]

Re: Water pump doesn't work 1959 5.5 johnson cd-16

Also, make sure the lower unit is deep enough in the water. The water needs to be about 3 or 4 inches above the 4 screw that bolt on the lower unit. This is because the wate pump is not self-priming.

 

[byronjacobson]

Re: Water pump doesn't work 1959 5.5 johnson cd-16

Today I just finished spending another two hours taking the lower unit of this 1959 cd-16 5.5 hp outboard for a second time. I checked to be sure the water tube was lined up, I made sure the key was in the impellar. The impellar seems to have good flexibility and is not cracked. I submerged the lower unit in a pail and the height of the water was at least 3 or 4 inches above the water pump. Started the motor and it still doesn't not pump any water. I blew out the passages in the motor itself, and also checked the water lines in the lower unit. Does this motor have a thermostat by any chance that could be stuck closed? Earlier I replaced the lower driveshaft that had a broken shock absorber spring. Any chance that this could be related to my water pump problem. Any help would be appreciated. Call me at 320-634-491 nine or email me at jake331@charter.net

 

[byronjacobson]

Re: Water pump doesn't work 1959 5.5 johnson cd-16

Yesterday I went to a parts page and discovered cd-16 5.5 hp johnson does have a thermostat. Since it wasn't pumping water, i thought i would take the thermostat out and see if it was getting water toward the top of the power head. I also put the lower unit into a much larger water container. Now the motor is pumping water just fine. I checked the thermostat and it does open at around 135 degrees. Even when the thermostat is closed you see water coming out of the exhaust. I think my main problem was that I was using a 5 gallon pail for a water container and this didn't provide enough depth for the lower unit to pump water. Take my advice and use a larger container of water if testing your water pump for circulation. I used a medium size garbage can. Happy to see it is now working and I don't have to take the lower unit off for the third time.

 

[zadzior]

Re: Water pump doesn't work 1959 5.5 johnson cd-16

how you disconnect shifter rod?I have Johnson 5.5hp 1962 cd-19s that probably the some system.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Water pump doesn't work 1959 5.5 johnson cd-16

Yep, as Optsy mentioned above, the water pump is not self priming. The water level needs to be above the water pump location.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Water pump doesn't work 1959 5.5 johnson cd-16

Zadzior..... If there is no oblong plate with 2 screws on the side of the long exhaust housing, remove the powerhead.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Water pump doesn't work 1959 5.5 johnson cd-16

All the 5.5's do need the powerhead removed. It wasn't untill 1966, when the 6hp went into production, that the shift rod was installed. On these models, you would put the motor in reverse and slowly turn the prop until the pin in the drive shaft allowed the lower unit to drop down enough to allow you to remove the lower bolt (completely) from the shift rod coupler. The 1964 and later 9.5's were set up this way as well, but there doesn't appear to be a pin to slip through a slot on the upper end.