Logo
FULL SITE MENU

1999 Johnson/Suzuki 5HP 2-Stroke overheats and doesn’t pump water until high rpm

M

MelonBoi1

Member
So a while ago I got a 1999 Johnson J5REE which is I believe a rebranded Suzuki DT5Y. I remember as a kid This motor used to be nothing but problems but It is very sentimental to me as it belonged to my grandfather. Now, with my mechanical knowledge I got it running. Sorry for the lore, I’m just gonna explain everything I did to it, I replaced the carburetor, fuel pump, fuel shutoff, fuel filter, ignition coil, and the throttle cable, all with genuine OEM parts. It never pumped water well so I redid the entire cooling system. I cleaned out the water jackets as best as I could (Engine was off and head was removed). I also replaced the water pump. After that it ran like new, pumped water really really well. Only thing I ever noticed was if you bucket ran it, it would only pump water in gear. But when on the boat it would always pump water. So then I stored it for a year. Properly. I flushed out the cooling system. And today, I started it for the first time this year and as usual it ran like new, but this time it wasn’t pumping water at all until very high rpms. Even in gear, I took it out in the creeks (making sure to keep an eye on it) and the water coming out of it was burning hot and steaming. It was overheating if you weren’t running it wide open. So now I completely tore apart the water pump AGAIN and everything was fine, even the brand new impeller was fine. It was a little crusty so I cleaned that out but when i put it back together and resealed everything, same result. I am STUMPED. I love this motor so much and intend to keep it running as long as I can.
 
I have to ask.....
Are you sure you have the vanes folded the correct direction?
In other words.....Did you rotate the driveshaft clockwise LOOKING DOWN as you installed the pump housing?
Yes, I know you said it worked on year 1 but this is year 3 and the vanes are stiff now. Maybe they are folded backwards & pumped some water when still new & pliable but not now.
 
Back
Top