Merc water tube guide. Cracked/melted

[mxz]

Does everyone else have problems with the crappy plastic watertube guide on their merc lowers? Doesn't seem to take long for them to either crack up or melt. Is there a better piece available?

[sosmerc]

Might be an indication that you are not dumping enough cooling water down through the driveshaft housing. Better be sure your pump housing isn't "melting" as well.
What, if any, modifications have been done to your engine?

[Balzy]

they all do that. If you have any drystacking done that isn't done correctly it can be worse, but I have had them burn up and turn to crispy critters with stock water flow also. I have made a couple out of STN STL but never tested them. I also made some from Nylon 101 and it has held up great so far. If you are using the 3/4" water tube I know why you are asking. They are like $30.00 a piece and they don't even fit well!

[mxz]

Stock motors. Mine is a 1981 225 Merc, tubes crack on mine. Brothers motor stock 1991 2.4 Bridgeport. His tend to melt. No damage at all the the water pump housing.

Balzy let us know how the stainless ones work when you try them.

[WATERWINGS]

But isn't the only thing they do is guide the copper tube into the pump neck?

[O/B Dude]

Yes, thats all they do. Its not necessary for "running".

[crazy horse]

My guild tube did it before and after my liner was removed . That's on a SS inline center section, It's not a big deal;) .

[Markus]

Every time you buy a water pump kit you get a new one. And the only time you need one is when you take off the lower unit because as Waterwings said, they are just there to guide the tube into the impeller housing. It really does not matter if they melt once they have performed that task.

[Superdave]

I've made some out of and old lawn chair :eek: :eek:
Dave ;)

[WATERWINGS]

I made one out of PVC pipe, had to turn down one end on the lathe to make it fit into the pump.

[Jay2002]

Harmonics is what causes the water tube to break. You can put a piece of heater hose over the new tube and it will take the harmonics and dampen it preventing the tube from breaking. Jay

[Talon2.5]

SUPERDAVE!!! LOL i did the same thing :eek: :cool:

[Dark Allison]

A friend of mine machined some out of aluminum that are a little longer and work great! He gets $25.00 ea for them . He also has some for the larger housing style pumps.:cool:

[Superdave]

lawn chairs are FREE !! ;) ;)