Simple Fix Keeps Outboard Motor Running
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When the water pump impeller on Philip Jenkins’ 1999 50-hp. Suzuki outboard failed, it couldn’t be fixed. Saltwater corrosion had fused the upper and lower unit’s housing solid. A longtime friend, who is a professional outboard mechanic, told him he might as well scrap it, but Jenkins came up with a solution.
“It was a good 4-stroke fuel-injected engine that ran great, and we didn’t want to junk it,” says Jenkins. “My son ordered a 12-volt electric pump used to move fresh water in RVs and motor homes. The challenge was to create an intake port and connect the pump’s discharge to the motor’s cast water jacket.”
To create the intake port, Jenkins drilled a 1/2-in. hole through the cavitation plate above the propeller and slipped a 3-in. long, 1/4-in. dia. pipe thread nipple through it.
The design of the water jacket provided the perfect place for connecting the discharge tube from the pump. A water pressure valve on the bottom right of the water jacket was covered by a 2-bolt flange.
“We took the flange off, removed the valve, and drilled a 1-in. hole into the water jacket,” says Jenkins. “We inserted a 1-in. (OD) national pipe thread with a 3/4-in. (ID) and screwed in a bushing to reduce it down to a 1/2-in. (OD) pipe.”
Jenkins secured the pump to the housing on the lower unit with a chain and a small turnbuckle. Before connecting flexible tubing to the fixtures on the pump and outboard, Jenkins made one addition. He added a strainer ahead of the pump to protect it from debris in the water.
“So far, it hasn’t been a problem,” he says. “If it did get plugged, the temperature sensor on the motor would sound an alarm.”
Jenkins installed a toggle switch for the pump by the outboard controls. He starts the pump running before the engine starts.
“It runs great, although it looks unusual,” says Jenkins. “When it’s out on the river, people want to know what the contraption is on the lower side of the motor.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Philip Jenkins, 15319 Oaklawn Dr., Ponchatoula, La. 70454 (ph 985-662-4685; jenkins6438@bellsouth.net).
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Simple Fix Keeps Outboard Motor Running FARM SHOP Miscellaneous When the water pump impeller on Philip Jenkins’ 1999 50-hp Suzuki outboard failed it couldn’t be fixed Saltwater corrosion had fused the upper and lower unit’s housing solid A longtime friend who is a professional outboard mechanic told him he might as well scrap it but Jenkins came up with a solution “It was a good 4-stroke fuel-injected engine that ran great and we didn’t want to junk it ” says Jenkins “My son ordered a 12-volt electric pump used to move fresh water in RVs and motor homes The challenge was to create an intake port and connect the pump’s discharge to the motor’s cast water jacket ” To create the intake port Jenkins drilled a 1/2-in hole through the cavitation plate above the propeller and slipped a 3-in long 1/4-in dia pipe thread nipple through it The design of the water jacket provided the perfect place for connecting the discharge tube from the pump A water pressure valve on the bottom right of the water jacket was covered by a 2-bolt flange “We took the flange off removed the valve and drilled a 1-in hole into the water jacket ” says Jenkins “We inserted a 1-in OD national pipe thread with a 3/4-in ID and screwed in a bushing to reduce it down to a 1/2-in OD pipe ” Jenkins secured the pump to the housing on the lower unit with a chain and a small turnbuckle Before connecting flexible tubing to the fixtures on the pump and outboard Jenkins made one addition He added a strainer ahead of the pump to protect it from debris in the water “So far it hasn’t been a problem ” he says “If it did get plugged the temperature sensor on the motor would sound an alarm ” Jenkins installed a toggle switch for the pump by the outboard controls He starts the pump running before the engine starts “It runs great although it looks unusual ” says Jenkins “When it’s out on the river people want to know what the contraption is on the lower side of the motor ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Philip Jenkins 15319 Oaklawn Dr Ponchatoula La 70454 ph 985-662-4685; jenkins6438@bellsouth net
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