Had a motor issue at the lake today and needed to start it at home. Went and bought a new set of muffs and hooked it to the water hose. Started the motor and could not get any water to come out. Made sure the muffs were covering the intake but could find no reason for it to not be working. Found a container that was large enough to fit the lower unit in, above the intake. Filled it with water and once I was sure everything was under water, started the engine and still no water coming out. Ran a wire through the water exhaust hose and it wasn't blocked. When I tilted the motor out of the container, it had quite a bit of water drain from the lower unit.

I've used muffs on it before and know that it will work. Changed the impeller a couple of months ago so it should be good. I knew that it was pumping a stream through earlier in the day because I constantly check it while running. I finally drove back to the lake to test it on the water. Backed the trailer in, lowered the motor and water was streaming out strong as soon as it started.

I'm dumbfounded as to why it is not pumping water at home on the hose or bucket. It is an old Tohatsu 70HP. Anyone have any ideas?

A guess would be the impeller on the water pump is going bad on my Mercury when the water pump goes out I can run in reverse for ways then go forward and have always made it back to the dock. Sorry I know it's not much help.

I'm guessing not enough water pressure, lower unit in the lake is different pressure wise from water hose or barrel full of water

I only use dual water ear muffs any more because of this.