How to Replace a Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Stern Drive Water Pump

[@adamx2727]

I called my Marine Dealer 4 days ago to inquire about the impeller change. Those sum-bi&%$^ wanted $475 to do the impeller change to include parts and labor. I watched your video 4 times, purchased the impeller kit from my Marine Dealer for $46 and 2 quarts of Gear lube for $11 at Wal-Mart. It took me 1 1/2 hours to complete with no problems.. Thanks for the great video and for saving me over $400. You weren't kidding how cumbersome and heavy it is to put into position alone.

[@tskipwadoo3447]

Yea, those marine dealers charge an arm & leg for the work they do. But, if you don't know how you got to pay.

[@6speeddakota]

It really helps to have someone else helping you. I much prefer the alpha drives over my 1971 mercury 500, they're much easier to work with even though they're heavier

[@AHammbone]

Thanks man All these years later and you're still helping people with this video because I've watched your video about three times now and just started today. I'm about halfway done but it was dark and was starting to rain so I had to pack it in which sucked. But I'm going to finish it tomorrow. Just kind of unsure about where all my o-rings and washers go I think you covered most of them or maybe you covered all of them and I just need to watch again lol thanks man

[@6speeddakota]

There are 4 rubber seals. 2 o rings that go into the water tube, one that goes into the counterbore on the gear case that seals the oil passage between the upper and lower case halves. The last seal is the one that sits on top of the water pump housing, that one comes with a special plastic tool in the kit to install it.

[@ajt0829]

6speed...thanks a ton for making this video. This is my first boat and I was unsure when the impeller had been changed last. Now I have piece of mind and feel confident to do it again Your video made it a pretty "simple" job to do. Thanks bud

[@klucas734]

Great video, it's refreshing to see your mistakes and learnings! Hell, we are all continuously learning!

[@bfle5202]

Hey bud, I am a car builder so I know nothing bout that Maxum boat I just bought, replaced the motor, and tomorrow changing the out drive impeller. Thanks so much for saving me the 2 hr. Labor bill I would have gotten from the marine. Great vid and thanks again.

[@robevans5222]

Wow, great video with excellent commentary and good lighting/clear imaging. I will be tackling this job for the first time in the next couple days, and I have no doubt you saved me from making mistakes. Your effort in producing this video is much appreciated, sir!

[@johntimmins4845]

You drawing of the water tube and which direction was VERY helpful. thanks !

[@SobJp]

Just did this job today. Couldn't have done it without this video. Thanks dude

[@gayrondavis2013]

Great info. My 2001 Stingray 190 water pump star impeller had never been replaced, so I thought I had pushed my luck long enough. Last week, I replaced it but it did NOT need it after 13 summers of lake use; probably 800 hours. The old rubber star looked like new! Gen II's rubber impeller is much improved.

[@ryanc511]

Thanks for the vid fellow boater. Nice you shared the mistakes so we can learn from them too.

[@КонстантинХлопунов-ц9ъ]

Thank you from this is video. I have MAXUM 2400SCR with alpha one gen 2, you very help to me replace impeller water pump. Russia, Moscow.

[@jimhenry493]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to put this together!

[@riverking4u]

Great job!! Great comment and side line information and box info!! How about trim cylinder o-ring rebuild next??

[@vincegonzalez9445]

Just watch your video and I did the same thing in trying to get the water tube back in. Took it apart and verified I had missed the water intake. Problem with mine is the rubber grommet holding the plastic bent tube was worn and would not hold the tube in place and kept falling out. Eventually was able to reach up and push it in place while having straps hold the lower unit. Then pushed it up in place and finally got the splines to align up. This is not an easy job getting water tube installed correctly. Verify it in place to prevent burning up the engine. Thanks again as this really helped. You don't see any videos on how to install the lower unit back into the upper drive. I would order new water tubing and upper rubber grommet(or rubber whatever its called) next time I do this also. Thanks again..

[@Fejj]

Thanks for the video. Very simplistic, easy-to-follow explanation of everything, I subscribed to your channel because of this. Why not learn from someone else's mistakes first, right? ;) Cheers

[@artjag1]

we started with it up, then lowered it down. put a floor jack under and slowly raised, .once engaged in shifter kept checking fwd / reverse on the handle / shifter...will fire up today for test. THX.

[@boatman1975]

I have searched some for the kit you show in the video, all that I have found are kits that do not contain the seal setting tool, can you give a link that has the kit you used? Thank you

[@edglez6598]

Thank you for your video. I'm working with my unit and after dissemble the lower unit. a metal triangle (2.5 by 1.3 inches) with 5 small holes came out. where it should be located?

[@elimonjal]

my splines don´t align up and I can´t slide lower unit, only gets 1/4" close and stops !!!! I heard you are suppose to put boat in forward gear BEFORE you remove lower unit ??? also gear in back of unit must be straight ???? thank you for video. also water tube alignment problems. please advice. forgot another question, is water tube guide suppose to be on top tube or on lower guide on water pump. ??

[@crisprtalk6963]

nice video, I Have watched a couple of these and I learned some tips form yours. Thank you.

[@joelweinbaum3061]

Centering pins are available for assembly to ensure pump housing does not shift sideways with the pressure of the impeller vanes causing housing to rub drive shaft. Ensure uniform space between pump housing and drive shaft.

[@artjag1]

yes my early 140 is a real bear to reinstal...still trying all afternoonis it better to have the leg tilted as you did ????

[@6speeddakota]

Definitely tilted. You won’t be able to get the driveshaft in if it’s tilted down

[@GAonMyMind]

Amazing job! thanks for sharing your knowledge. you rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@markpeyst443]

Great Video ! How do you adjust a zinc anode correctly ?

[@artjag1]

if the boat steers at speed one way more then the other ...dial the anode the opposite way to counteract the pull/// !

[@megalapega365]

hello I change my water pump but do not work , Can you give me some other idea? tanks you

[@GAonMyMind]

forgot to ask... when I took my leg off there were all kinds of things in it - debris etc. But I found parts to an old oval rubber washer (melted) and a piece of plastic which was on the pipe... and two triangle metal plates with a bunch of holes in them. I know you dont mention them in your video... they look like part of some type of filter system?? not sure - any ideas...

[@6speeddakota]

I believe that's actually pieces of the exhaust shutters. The shutters are located in the exhaust downpipes after the manifolds and they can melt and break if your motor is overheating. I had the same problem with my old boat

[@joelweinbaum3061]

Riser removal is necessary for shutter inspection but not too difficult to remove. Very little info on shutters but block water intrusion from upper exhaust. Fatigue with heat and time. Just need new riser base gasket going back. Risers may need replacing anyway from corrosion.

[@dericksharpeye]

Watch your video before installing mine, thanks for making this video...

[@ericjohn9277]

Hey guys i could use some help, I replaced the bellows on my Gen 2, and after i put the outdrive back on.. i noticed a black thin tube with a white connector on the end. I think it goes right behind the gear lever on the outdrive, but do not know the purpose of this...anyone have an idea?

[@elimonjal]

gear connection

[@robevans5222]

From your description, I'm pretty sure you're referring to the speedometer tube. There is a pitot tube machined into the leading edge of the outdrive, and the speedometer tube conducts water pressure that is proportional to the boat's forward speed to the speedometer instrument at the helm station. This video shows the connection for this tube beginning at 10:06.

[@WillsGarage91]

I have the exact same screwdrivers from Snap On, and I love em.

[@bluerider7922]

The picture shows the circulating pump, not the raw water pump?!?

[@6speeddakota]

My wife put that thumbnail on many years ago, she didn't understand what the difference was

[@HerbZilla]

Why is gen 1 hard to change, i just did it and found it one of the easiest iv done. Try a 1996 15hp mercury. Now those ones will make you LOOOOVE the gen 1

[@6speeddakota]

It's not that it's hard necessarily, but it's more of a PITA than the gen 2. The shift shaft is easier to line up, one piece stainless impeller housing, better lower seal carrier, etc. My 71 merc 500 is similar to a gen 1, and I really don't enjoy doing the impeller on that thing

[@edglez6598]

Is a Plate-metal triangle

[@ElegantSeries]

Thank you!.