Mercury 8HP w.pump gasket.

[davidpbo]

I have managed to damage the gasket between the metal base of the water pump and the plastic base beneath it which has the water channels. For the time being I have removed the gasket and used Loctite flange sealant. I need to get the engine back in the boat a.s.a.p as I want to see if other work I am doing will cause a serious access problem. I don't really want to lift the motor off the boat once it is on, it is high, on a trailer and in an outboard well and beyond what I should be lifting.

Could I leave it with just the flange sealant for the season? I feel the worst that may happen is a little leakage of water into the leg which will already have water in it won't it?

The gasket under the plastic block to the gear box is intact although I have also smeared that with flange sealant.

I replaced shaft seals and impeller last season.

 

[VicS]

Not familiar with Mercs. But the things to consider are that the gearbox is properly sealed, that the missing gasket does not affect the end clearance for the pump impeller and that if this is on the water inlet to the pump it is not going to pull in exhaust gasses and stop pumping water.

As you surmise there is no problem with water entering the leg provided its not water that should be on its way to cool the engine.

 

[davidpbo]

I believe the gasket I have a problem with should not affect the gearbox. Neither does it have any impact on the impeller chamber height. The impeller slides up and down the drive shaft with an inserted key to make it rotate so there is a bit of movement with that.