I just replaced the impellar and housing on my boat. I checked to see if it was working, and nothing was coming out unless the engine is at full RPM. I have the outboard dropped into a big cooler. Shouldn't the water be flowing freely when the boat is in idle?

first of all what kind of outdrive? is it outboard or did you mean to say outdrive? What year make and model is your boat and engine combination

I have an 89 with a cobra OMC outboard and a 460 ford motor.

Possibly put the impeller in with the blades going the wrong direction?

no because they would right themselves once turned over. First question is why did you replace the impeller and what condition was it in when you pulled it out? any missing pieces? The housing could have been warped or did you get a new one with the kit?

dont you have earmuffs? <BR>most exhaust water comes out of the props in stern drives and a little comes out near the gimbal/bellhousing/hull area....... <BR> <BR>its possible you smoked the new impeller however if there wasnt sufficient water when you fired it up......

I tried it with the earmuffs first, then thought that it might work out if I dropped it into a cooler filled with water. I have the first hose disconnected from the rest to see just how much the impeller is pumping. And yes, I did replace the housing.

The old impeller was pretty messed up. I just remember reading that if you disconnected the hose that comes directly from the impeller into the cooling system, that water should flow freely at idle. In running the boat for just 1-2 minutes, the temp got to well over two hundred.

the temp got that hot because the engine wasnt getting water because you took the hose off........ <BR> <BR>also did you get all the pieces of your old impeller out of the system you could have a blockage somewhere.....

I did connect the hose back when I let the engine run sorry for not clarifying. I'm not sure if i got the pieces out or not, but there is nothing blocking that first area that I am talking about.

My bet is your old impeller is blocking it.

^me too. old vanes can end up on the lake side of the impeller. take it apart and find your old vanes.

Isn't the OMC pump right on top with only 4 bolts holding it? Make sure it is turning to begin with. Use low air pressure to see if it is plugged.

Maybe got the intake side crossed with the discharge side not forcing water up to the water pump. ?