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I have a 69 Merc 350 and the engine's water pump is only sending out a trickle of water. I got a new pump at the beginning of the season, so I'm surprised. It never shot out with a lot of pressure, but it has definitely reduced. Any ideas?

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If you're sure your water pump is in good condition, I'd take a look at the pee hole. I'd run a wire down it and try to clear whatever is blocking it. Sometimes you may pick up some debris if running in muddy water or very shallow water.

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It doesn't take much to ruin one. 15 seconds without water can do it. Or your flush attachment may be loose. The most common way to degrade one in a seaon is running in shallow sandy water.

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Was it a full water pump change out kit, or just the impeller ? Is the engine running hot ?

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Make sure there is no water leak before the hose on the engine.

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Thanks, It was a complete new pump, and the hose looks new as well. I can't really tell if it's running hot because I don't have a temperature gauge. Is there another way to tell. I also ran it with the Cowling off and didn't see anywater coming out anywhere aside the pee hole.

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If you have an infrared thermometer gun, shoot the thermostat housing, it should by around 140 and see the temp drop when it opens.

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You should be able to hold your finger on the engine head (next to the spark plug) for a "1-2-3" second count before it get's too hot and you have to pull your hand away. It may be running "Cool" and just the "Tell Tale" is clogged. You need to determine if the cooling sysytem is working first, try the "Finger" test.

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Thanks Guys, pumping strong now. Must have been clogged, because I stuck a wire in the peehole and it's fixed. I had hit a sandbar last week, so I imagine that was the cause.

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I have a 2005 mercury 50 on my pontoon, and I have to clean the p-hole every outing, seems the mud-dobber wasps, love to try to build a nest inside the hole.