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outboard question

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quilombo
Captain

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USA
301 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/24/2008 : 06:40:07

I know another stupid qustion , but

I have had a strange thing go on with my outboard, see if it happens to anybody else

I think I already know whats going on but, when I leave my boat I tilt the engine up out of the water so the funkiness dosent grow on my shaft (boy that sounds risky) anyway, when I go back to the boat and start the outboard to get out of the marina, it takes what seems like an eternity for the water to come out of the cooling spout. When I leave the outboard down, for a couple of days it comes right out,,,
shouldnt there be a provision , check valve for this, seems I always get nervous when I start the outboard,
any ideas,, or experiences?

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2008 : 08:34:18

I'm no expert on OBs, but it sounds like you may have a worn impeller that has a hard time creating enough lift to get the water started up through the motor. Water should start comming out of the cooling discharge hole almost immeadiatly when you start the engine. I would leave the motor down until you can get the impeller checked out or possibly replaced before you damage the engine.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2008 : 08:42:50

How long is "an eternity"? When you lift the engine, all of the water drains out and the impeller loses its "prime". A worn impeller has more trouble getting the flow re-started from a dry state. If it takes more than ~5 seconds, I'd say you could use a new a new impeller--at least before next season.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/24/2008 08:45:25

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2008 : 09:04:48

How many hours on the OB?

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2008 : 09:07:35

One of my old outboards had a thermostat in the line, and here in the south when we found one on an outboard we would remove them. They would stick and cause the engine to overheat. About a 1976 evinrude 9.9 shortshaft. I don't remember seeing a stat on any other engines, or they are always warm enough to be open.

All my old outboards always spit water immediately or I shut them off.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2008 : 10:48:45

As an aside. I leave my motor down with the mount lifted. Only the skeg is in the water growing stuff. Stuff I much prefer than having incompetent skippers or the occasional good skipper with a crises run into it a tilted motor.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3460 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2008 : 11:23:56

I leave my outboard in similar position as Frank - Vertical in the raised position. After lowering and starting it, water is discharged almost immediately. This is the case all the time whether in the summer or winter.

Besides possibility that you have a worn impeller, my thought was that the impeller is more likely to be a go - no go issue. It either works or it is cracked and does not work at all. My thought is that your issue may more likely be that you have growth/clogging inside and it is restricting the flow. You do not indicate when the water does come out, does it come out very slow or with some force behind it. I would recommend you get the outboard flushed first to see if there is any debris causing your issue before taking the next step - Checking for a worn or cracked impeller.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2008 : 12:34:06

I pull my Honda OB out of water as well to avoid growth. But as soon as I start up motor, she starts peeing. When was last major service?
I wouldnt plan any long trips.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2008 : 14:50:46

Water should flow within a few seconds and impellers do wear from abrasives in the water - it is a very easy replacement. In the mean time, it takes several minutes for the powerhead to warm up enough to need cooling and I wouldn't be too concerned as long as there is a good steady stream once it starts flowing - a worn impeller won't move as much water and can lead to over heating.

Edited by - on

Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2008 : 11:25:30

I think I would pull that OB off and check it out. As the guys said, you might have a badly worn impeller. You would be very sad to damage your engine because of a $10 part. The other possibility is that you've got something blocking your cooling line. I haven't tried to flush mine before, but you would probably see it when you check your impeller. If the impeller is okay and you don't see any blockage you could use either and high pressure water hose or air hose and spray through the water lines and galleries in every direction possible to be sure they are clear.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2008 : 11:42:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stardog
 I If the impeller is okay and you don't see any blockage you could use either and high pressure water hose or air hose and spray through the water lines and galleries in every direction possible to be sure they are clear.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I keep one of those air cans on board-the type you use for your computer keyboard, etc.
Steve A

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quilombo
Captain

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USA
301 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2008 : 17:17:46

the impeller is new , I put it in myself, the stream is fine once it starts flowing, I would say about 6-7 seconds,
I guess its normal, several others at the marina do the same

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2008 : 17:47:22

If you pull engine out of water and flush it, I dont think 6 or 7 seconds is a problem as long as it had "hard" stream. I have a Honda and its instant.
Steve A

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Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2008 : 12:03:38

If the impeller is new and the lag time between start-up and cooling discharge is the same as it was before the new impeller, I would say you have nothing to worry about. If lag time is longer, it could be a gasket or seal got turned around on reassembly, possibly there is a leak somwhere in the cooling channel.

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2008 : 15:53:07

Give your motor some Flomax

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