Mercruiser Mag 350 MPI (‘02) Seawater Pump Replacement Frequency

[purplehayes]

Hey folks,

Ok so I have twin 350’s in my Amberjack. I have had to replace my seawater pump assemblies roughly every say 300hrs or so. The bearing starts to leak and then we replace the front end.

The mechanic that I have been working with is a straight shooter kind of guy. Always gives me what he thinks is the best option. We know that there is a “rebuild” option but we have decided that the savings in parts costs is offset by the cost of the labor. If I was doing it myself then obviously it would be worth it...

Anyway, I am just wondering if anyone has any ideas of how to extend the life of their water pump. I have been toying with the idea of loosening the serpentine belt enough to release any pressure which would be “bending” the bearing shaft while I am not running the boat... kind of like, if it will sit for longer than a couple of weeks maybe just loosening it off... any thoughts on this

Any comments on my frequency of changing the part. I change it essentially when it starts dripping water onto the belt and spraying it all over everything.

Cheers

 

[scoflaw]

Which pump ? gen 7 brass ? Either or they should last longer than that. Did you check your alignment in relation with the crank pully ?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Something is wrong because they last a lot longer than that. Excessive belt tension is one cause. Belt not running true is another cause

 

[Todd320]

I just had this done, mechanic says it is a once every 10 year thing. He said the newer ones are better, but I don’t recall exactly what he said. Something about being more serviceable.

 

[skolbe]

Got 10 years out of mine. I boat in an area that has lots of silt in the water. So it is a bit harder on them.