i done the same thing a year ago and the engine still has sand in it almost like concrete i junked my engine and had to replace it i would just about bet you still have sand somewhere and i bet a bunch of it

He said he removed the output hose from the pump and ran the engine and still nothing came out.

When I got sand in it, the sand never reached the block, it was starting to get to the il cooler but was still ok before the thermostat housing. and it ran fine for a whole day and a half after all this. it just does not like the water hose in the front yard.

I tested the following. and keep in mind. this out drive does not use ear muffs, it has the low water pick up only. so it’s a cup thing around the front of the torpedo shaped part of the out drive.

when hose disconnected from the pump (hose coming from water pick up) and water hose on, no water comes out where it would be at the pump. BUT if i hold the cup part on the out drive and try and seal it off tighter water flows out.

so i hooked the hose back to the pump but not the pump to the motor. and tried starting it. without holding the cup on the low water pick up nothing. but when you seal it off by hand the pump works.....


SO the pump works, and when is in water like the ocean or river, it will work, but does not work on the hose. (explains why it worked 1.5 days in FL, but did not at the house.)

the thing is does it not work on the hose because the low water pick up cup thing does not seal good anymore? or does the pump not suck as good as it use to? I hate to put a new pump/impeller in the boat just so it can sit all winter bending the impeller blades.

Go for a whole new SWP. I bet you have scored the crap out of it and it no longer pumps strong enough. Do you have a water pressure gauge?

No i do not have a water pressure gauge.

I would wait until spring and then just install a new seawater pump kit (body, impeller, wear plates and quad ring). Kit is ~ $100 for everything. That way you know what you have, regarding a "good seawater pump". Much cheaper than an engine. If your LWP hose adapter (what you called a "cup") doesn't seal well enough to draw water into the pump, I would either replace the "cup", or figure out another way to secure it so that it seals better, as you mentioned. If you install a new pump and connect your "cup", you stand a good chance of ruining your new seawater pump impeller and body.

On the 454/502 sea pumps, they have stainlees steel plates that can easily be replaced. No need to replace the entire pump.

depending on when the last time it was changed... I would change it anyway.... Would take 2 hands to count how many times either me or one of my buddies were dead in water b/c of waterpumps!

Mine cracked on the inlet and chewed up the impellor. I backwashed from the t-stat and was good as new... Plastic can get weak and brittle over time..

my 2 cents

I always carry a complete new kit on the boat as a spare it sits right next to the spare MSD box lol

What about corrosion of the fitting on the transom plate at the connection to the inside hose? Heard this has been a major issue with bravo's in salt water.