{"product_id":"mercury-mercruiser-water-inlet-tube-seal-38970","title":"Mercury MerCruiser Water Inlet Tube Seal 38970","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMercury MerCruiser Water Inlet Tube Seal — 38970\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eField\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart Number\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e38970 \/ 26-38970\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMercury Marine \/ MerCruiser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOfficial Product Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRubber Water Inlet Tube Seal (OEM Genuine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSupersedes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone on record\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReplaced By\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo supersession confirmed — 38970 remains an active Mercury part number\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSystem\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCooling — Sterndrive Water Pump \/ Driveshaft Housing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiagram Position\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater inlet tube \/ water tube connection at the water-pump body or driveshaft housing plate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity in Assembly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 (typical — confirm by diagram for your specific sterndrive)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (approx.)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.05 kg \/ 1.8 oz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat This Part Does\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 38970 is a genuine Mercury OEM rubber seal that fits around the water inlet tube connection at the water-pump body or driveshaft housing plate in selected MerCruiser sterndrive assemblies. It maintains the integrity of the cooling-water passage between adjoining components — a small but critical seal whose failure can compromise the sterndrive cooling circuit. Mercury diagrams identify it specifically as the \u003cem\u003ewater inlet tube seal\u003c\/em\u003e, which is distinct from the driveshaft oil seals and other O-rings located nearby in the same assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatible Applications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSelected MerCruiser sterndrive water-pump body assemblies where the Mercury parts diagram specifies 38970\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSelected MerCruiser driveshaft housing plate assemblies where the Mercury parts diagram specifies 38970\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e38970 appears across more than one MerCruiser sterndrive configuration. Confirm fitment using your exact sterndrive model, drive serial number, gear-housing configuration, and the applicable water-pump or driveshaft-housing diagram. Do not match by diameter or appearance alone — MerCruiser water-pump assemblies contain several seals, O-rings, and gaskets in close proximity that can look similar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSerial Number \u0026amp; Fitment Notice\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConfirm the sterndrive model and serial number against the applicable Mercury water-pump or driveshaft-housing schematic before ordering. Verify that 38970 is shown at the water inlet tube position in your specific diagram. Mercury uses several different seals in the same area, and matching the correct diagram position is especially important when rebuilding the water pump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExact dimensions are not published in the Mercury consumer catalog. Confirm fitment via the parts diagram for your specific sterndrive model and serial number, or use the part number on the seal being replaced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen to Replace\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater-pump body is removed and the original seal is visibly compressed or distorted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRubber has become hardened or brittle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSealing lip is torn or nicked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCooling-water leakage is visible at the tube connection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorrosion or deposits have damaged the sealing surface\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater-pump service exposes an aged or deformed original seal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis seal should be replaced as a matter of course any time the water-pump body or driveshaft housing is disassembled for service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eService Interval\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReplace at every water-pump service — whenever the water-pump body or driveshaft housing is disassembled. Mercury typically recommends water-pump impeller replacement annually or every 100 hours; the inlet tube seal should be replaced at the same time. Do not reuse a removed seal even if it appears undamaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eInstallation Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClean the water tube and seal seating surfaces before installing the new seal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInspect the water tube for corrosion, deformation, or scoring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnsure the seal is fully seated and not twisted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInspect the water-pump body insert and adjacent gaskets while the assembly is apart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReassemble according to the Mercury service procedure for the specific sterndrive model and serial number\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAlternate \u0026amp; Superseded Part Numbers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e38970\u003c\/strong\u003e — Mercury \/ MerCruiser OEM number\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e26-38970\u003c\/strong\u003e — Mercury catalog prefix format\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo superseding number is confirmed. 38970 remains listed as an active Mercury part.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRelated Parts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mercury-mercruiser-water-pump-repair-kit-89984t5\"\u003eMercury MerCruiser Water Pump Repair Kit 89984T5\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mercury-mercruiser-quicksilver-impeller-kit-8m0104229\"\u003eMercury MerCruiser Quicksilver Impeller Kit 8M0104229\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mercury-mercruiser-water-pump-face-plate-32435\"\u003eMercury MerCruiser Water Pump Face Plate 32435\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mercury-mercruiser-quicksilver-body-impeller-kit-807151a14\"\u003eMercury MerCruiser Quicksilver Body\/Impeller Kit 807151A14\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical FAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is this the same as the driveshaft oil seals in the water-pump assembly?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: No. The 38970 is specifically the \u003cem\u003ewater inlet tube seal\u003c\/em\u003e — it seals the cooling-water passage at the tube connection. The driveshaft oil seals are separate components in the same assembly. Match by diagram position and part number, not by location estimate or appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Do I need to replace this seal every time I change the impeller?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: Yes, as a best practice. Any time the water-pump body is removed, the inlet tube seal should be replaced. It is inexpensive and takes a permanent compression set when installed — reusing it risks cooling-water leakage after reassembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is 38970 used on all MerCruiser sterndrives?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: No — it is used across multiple sterndrive configurations but not all. Confirm by checking the water-pump or driveshaft-housing diagram for your specific sterndrive model and serial number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What other seals and gaskets should I replace at the same time?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA: While the pump is apart, replace all gaskets, seals, and O-rings in the assembly — including the face plate gaskets, pump base gaskets, and any other seals shown in the diagram. A complete water pump repair kit such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mercury-mercruiser-water-pump-repair-kit-89984t5\"\u003e89984T5\u003c\/a\u003e includes many of these components together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eParts Desk Insights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most common issue with 38970 is customers not realizing they need it until the pump is already apart — it is not typically included in impeller-only kits, so it gets overlooked. If a customer is doing a water pump service, recommend they order this seal alongside the impeller and face plate gaskets so everything is on hand before the sterndrive comes apart. The other frequent point of confusion is distinguishing it from the nearby driveshaft oil seals in the same assembly — always confirm by diagram position (#38970 at the water inlet tube connection), not by physical proximity to the old seal being removed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MERC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43563856396324,"sku":"38970","price":7.64,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0743\/5799\/7604\/files\/2be15262-0e29-467d-8e2e-d4edcbde21f5.png?v=1789168189","url":"https:\/\/marisolmarine.com\/products\/mercury-mercruiser-water-inlet-tube-seal-38970","provider":"Marisol Marine Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}