I recently acquired a 8hp Merc from my uncle.  Its a mid-to lake 80's model.  He had it for about 6-7 years and he rarely used it.  I don't think it has been used for the last 3 years at all to tell the truth.

So I took it out yesterday and I noticed that there was no water coming out of it while it was running.  Since there was no water coming out of it after a minute or so, I shut it off thinking that the water pump is shot.

That brings to where I'm at now.  The motor runs like a top but no water coming out of the motor.  

Is this a fairly easy fix that I could do myself?  Or should I just take it to a mechanic to have it changed?  How much am I looking at ($$$) by taking it to a mechanic?

Thanks.

This is not a pic of mine (this one has water coming out of it  : ), but it looks exactly like this.

You don't have it in enough water to keep the pump from cavitating and sucking air so it's not going to pump.    

With that said though, for the age of the motor, I would not put it in the water without a new water pump impeller.  Impeller will cost $30 or so, whole kit normally about twice that.  As for a do-it-yourself job, if you have any mechanical skills, it's not a big deal to replace it.   The shift rod should disconnect under the back of the carb, and take the bolts hold the LU in under the anticav plate.  Take the trim tab off, sometimes the hide a bolt under it.   I don't do much with black motors so can't be exact in how to do it.  Be sure not to loose the tab that locks the impeller to the drive shaft when you slide the impeller and get the right fold on the blades when you put the housing down on the new one.  A good coat of Lubriplate 105 assemply lube on all the blade tips and inside the housing helps things going back together.

Thanks W2S!

That is pic is not my motor.  I did some reading on the internet and watched some video's on replacing the impeller.  Looks easy enough, so we'll see how it goes.

Also, make sure the hole and hose where the visual stream comes out is not plugged by a dirt dobber.  They luv ready made holes and it's very common for those to be plugged by one.  In areas where they are prevelant, it pays to stick a nail in them when the motor is not in use.

Another thing to remember is that it might not start "peeing" until the thermostats open up when it warms up. Some motors in some conditions don't start peeing for several minutes.

I won't be able to get to it for a couple weeks.  I think I'm going to pull the lower unit and take a look at the impeller.  My guess is that it's shot.  That is where I'll start.  

Thanks for all the great info!