1990 Mariner 60 tiller water pump getting weak?

[JosMN]

Noticed something this wkend backtrolling with my Mariner 60 tiller that made me a little worried. If I have the motor tilted up about 1/4 the stream stops,If I rev it a bit, the stream comes back but stops shortly after. If its tilted down anymore than a 1/4 it is fine, good solid stream. Does this mean my water pump is getting week?? I noticed it coming into the dock also, having it tilted up. It did look like there was quite a bit of water coming out of the front bottom of the cowl. Checked all the lines when I got home and everything seemed ok and tight. Full throttle it is a tight solid stream. I did have the impeller replaced lastyear and they said the water pump looked great. Any help, or ideas would be great. Thanks

[marine_man]

Does your increase in water coming out of the cowl coincide with a loss in stream? I'd run your motor on the muffs and see if you can replicate the issue.. that would rule out the water pump, assuming that when you tip the motor up 1/4 of the way you're not lifting the lower unit out of the water so far the inlet screens are sucking air.

marine_man

[JosMN]

Good tip. It was better on the muffs, but would still stop a little over a 1/3 to a half up. There was water coming out near the right motor mount. I know the motor mounts need replacing on it, I saw them flex in my mechanics tank. He did say it is fine to run it like this, just the motor will shake a bit, which I really done notice. But I do not have the $ to get them changed right now. Would this cause that problem? Like I said, stream is perfect when its below a 1/3 down. I can post a picture tomorrow, can't figure out how to do it off of my phone. Will post them tomorrow. Thanks marine_man

[JosMN]

Here's a picture, not the best, but shows you where it is coming out instead of the "pee" hole.