How to Replace a Yamaha 60 Outboard Water Pump

Maintaining the water pump in a 2003 Yamaha T60 outboard is essential to its health. Rubber components inside the water pump can break down and cut the pump’s ability to move water. 

And worse yet, chunks of rubber from an old impeller can do a number on your outboard’s cooling system. Watch the video above and follow the steps below to learn how to replace the water pump on a Yamaha 60HP outboard. 

Ymaha 60 outboard water pump repair kit

Tools and Parts - Yamaha 60HP Outboard Water Pump Replacement

  • 12mm socket
  • 3/8th ratchet
  • Flatblade screwdriver
  • Punch

NOTE: If you’ve just replaced the components in the water pump and just need a new impeller, you can find it here: Yamaha T60 water pump impeller

Buy Yamaha 60HP outboard water pump kit

Buy Yamaha 60 water pump impeller

Before you begin the water pump repair process, you need to remove the lower unit from the outboard. Watch the video below if you need help getting that done.

Yamaha T60 Outboard Water Pump Repair

Step 1. Remove the four 12mm bolts that hold the housing in place. 

Yamaha 60HP outboard water pump repair

Step 2. Clean the drive shaft to prevent dirt or debris from falling into the replacement water pump.

Yamaha T60 outboard water pump repair

Step 3. Remove the two-piece (outer housing and circular inner housing that covers the impeller) upper housing. 

Yamaha 60 outboard motor water pump repair

Yamaha 60 outboard water pump repair

Step 4. Remove the impeller. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to pry it out if necessary. 

Yamaha T60 outboard motor water pump impeller

NOTE: If any of the vanes on the impeller have broken off, you need to track them down. They may have gone down into the lower unit toward the intake or up toward the engine. Either way, broken vanes can clog the engine and cause it to overheat.

Step 5. Remove the woodruff key on the drive shaft. 

Yamaha 60HP outboard motor water pump replacement

PRO TIP: Use a hammer and a small punch to knock it loose easily.

Yamaha 60HP outboard water pump woodruff key

Step 6. Remove the lower housing. There are three things you need to remove: a gasket, a plate and then another gasket. Use a flatblade screwdriver if these parts are stuck. 

Yamaha T60 outboard motor water pump replacement

Yamaha T60 outboard engine water pump replacement

Yamaha T60 outboard water pump change

Step 7. Install the new gaskets and plate (included in the water pump repair kit) onto the lower housing (gasket, plate, gasket). 

Yamaha 60HP outboard engine water pump replacement

Yamaha 60HP outboard motor water pump replacement

Yamaha 60HP outboard engine water pump replacement

Step 8. Remove and replace the gasket below the housing, then replace the housing itself. 

Yamaha 60HP outboard water pump housing gasket

Yamaha T60 outboard water pump housing gasket

Yamaha 60HP outboard engine water pump housing

Step 9. Use a small soft-blow hammer to replace the woodruff key on the drive shaft. Tilt it up a bit so that when you slide the impeller over it, the woodruff key won’t catch. 

Yamaha 60 outboard water pump change

Step 10. Slide the impeller into place and push it all the way down onto the plate. 

Yamaha 60 outboard impeller replacement

Step 11. Put the inner, circular housing (removed in Step 3, along with an outer housing) inside the outer housing to reinstall it. Use a little marine grease to lubricate the inside of the inner housing so the impeller can turn freely. 

Yamaha outboard water pump repair

Step 12. Replace the cover. As you’re sliding it over the impeller, turn the drive or input shaft clockwise so the impeller vanes are flexed in the correct direction inside the water pump.

Yamaha 60 outboard water pump installation

Step 13. Replace the bolts holding the housing in place. 

Yamaha 60HP outboard water pump installation

Yamaha 60HP outboard motor water pump installation

NOTE: The two bolts in the front are longer to accommodate the shape of the cover. Yamaha doesn’t have a specific torque recommendation for these bolts, but we suggest 12 foot-pounds.

Step 14. Remount the lower unit and you’re done. 

 

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