Last Sunday I had some overheating problems and had very little water out the exhaust. I suspected the sea water pump so I got one today and while removing the old one, the clamp for the intake side hose was a little loose. When I put the socket on it to loosen the clamp, the hose rotated. Is it possible it could be sucking air? It wasn't leaking water that I could see, but then again, it's hard to see. The pump has some slight wear, but doesn't look bad.

I wouldn't think that would be enough to cause your problem. Those pumps push alot of water.

Plus once you are moving at any speed(planing) water will be forced into the pump from the water pressure coming from the outdrive. I would suspect something else . It's never That easy

Ditto ..It can cause the pump not to prime but I think what would happen is it destroys the pump and then you have problems .. Mo' knows ...

I think it would have created enough vacuum to seal anyway so this probably had nothing top do with overheating. Go ahead, remove and inspect the seawater pump. While you have the hoses off might as well do a back flush to rid the intake side of any sand, dirt or otherwise.

Roby

One of mine was doing the same thing and if I rev'd it some it would suck water up and cool down then I was good for the day,,,I assumed a bad impeller but not so,imp and housing where like new. I have been told with just a little leak in the hose you won't pull water up very well.A little air will kill the vac more than a little water leak. Also while running I had 25 psi after it finally primed.