priming water pump

[txmt3303]

I pulled all the brass plugs and completely drained the water out of my 02 5.8 PCM air nautique for the winter. My question is, do I need to prime the impeller when I start it or can i just fire it up in the lake. If I do need to prime it, whats the best way to prime it? Sorry if this is a stupid question but i have never primed any of the other boats that I owned and I just want to be careful. Thanks.

[Bri93SN]

I've never heard of anyone having to prime their pump. Yours is similar to the same design that's been around for decades as far as the raw water pump.

Just make sure everything you took off for the winter is put back together and good and snug. This includes your water strainer bowl etc. Ones you fire it up for the first time, make sure you can see your strainer bowl filling with water. And, makesure your exhaust manifolds are not getting scalding hot (they will get warm though as the motor warms up and that's normal).

[jmo]

Before you put the impeller back into the RWP, soak in soapy water so it's wet and lubed up, no need to prime it provided the impeller is wet.

Every Spring I de-winterize (putting the impeller back in as described above) and then run it in my driveway via the hose in a bucket trick to supply water to it. This way I make everything is working correctly before I end up in the middle of the lake...

[shonuff]

You shouldn't have to prime it.

My previous boat had trouble priming the raw water pump even though it was supposed to be self priming. Out of habit now I always prime it when I put in a fresh impeller at the beginning of the season. With the impeller out, I use a pitcher and pour water down the intake side of the housing until it spills over. That way it has immediate access to water the first time I fire it up for the season.

Again its probably not needed but my previous experience forced this habit on me and it can't hurt.

[txmt3303]

Thanks for the quick response. I kinda thought so but I needed a little reassurance.

[Bri93SN]

...Out of habit now I always prime it when I put in a fresh impeller at the beginning of the season. With the impeller out, I use a pitcher and pour water down the intake side of the housing until it spills over. That way it has immediate access to water the first time I fire it up for the season...

Actually, that's a good idea. An empty Coke bottle would be good too, then you could go right down the hose on the top side of the RWP.

[DanielC]

See this thread.
http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...light=flushing

When you first start the engine, carefully put a finger on the back of the raw water pump. It should immediately get colder, as water goes through it. The top of the exhaust manifolds should also start to feel slightly cooler when the engine is first started for the day, as cool water gets into them. After about a minute or two, the exhaust manifolds will start to get warm from engine heat.

Your water pump can go on the engine upside down. The round head screw on the side of the water pump goes toward the engine.