trying to find telltale on johnson seahorse 4, 1985

[MudMullet]

replaced the impeller, started it up, but I cant find a telltale. there are 4 pair of holes, aligned vertically above the waterline, which I think are exchaust ports, from what I have read on this forum. <br /><br />I have leaned here on the boards that if I can't hold my hand to the head for longer than a slow count of 5 (some say it starts getting hot at 3--others say it never gets too hot) then the motor is overheating. However, I sure hate to heat up my motor to see if my water pump is working.<br /><br />Ive been through my manual, but haven't been able to find any information there.<br /><br />I have blown through the tube that connects to the water pump and I can hear air exiting from somewhere, but I can't find the location. It sounds like it is somewhere inside the midsection, up near the powerhead. <br /><br />I have removed the exhaust cover plate and air does enter that from the water tube.<br /><br />I have removed and replaced the lower unit 4 times, making sure that the water tube fits into the grommet on the pump<br /><br />Can anyone tell me whether this motor had a telltale. <br /><br />Can anyone tell me how I can know that the water pump is working if there isnt a telltale--other than overheating it?<br /><br />thanks!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: trying to find telltale on johnson seahorse 4, 1985

Hi Mud,<br /> There is no telltale "pisser" on that motor. When running, your motor should be putting out a solid mist of water from those two rows of holes in the motor leg. Those holes are exhaust relief ports. Most of the exhaust goes out the hole below the cavitation plate, behind the propeller. It was found that the motors would choke out if that was the only exit at low idle, as the exhaust would have to displace the water in the leg to exit, so they put the holes in. <br /> Also, the exhaust cover plate on those motors isn't cooled, except for the forward edge. The rest is in direct contact with the exhaust gasses and can get quite hot. The cylinder heads circulate some water and should get warm, but not quite hot. There are some small passages in the powerhead that can clog up with silt/corrosion, particularly the one that runs horizonally across the top of the motor block.<br />- Scott

 

[MudMullet]

Re: trying to find telltale on johnson seahorse 4, 1985

thanks scott! I did see mist coming out of the holes in the motor leg, but it wasn't very strong. I'll dig a bit deeper and see whether any of those passages are clogged.<br /><br />I suppose the only way to clean those passages is to start taking things apart until i can get a wire/brush through them.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: trying to find telltale on johnson seahorse 4, 1985

Hi Mud,<br /> If you're seeing a mist, you're probably okay. By "solid mist", I had meant that it was consistent - not intermittent, and it'll be a fine mist at that. You should be able to get your hand a little wet when putting it behind the holes, but it shouldn't be a steady "stream" of water....<br />- Scott

 

[MudMullet]

Re: trying to find telltale on johnson seahorse 4, 1985

sweet! I do have a consistent mist.

 

[DJ]

Re: trying to find telltale on johnson seahorse 4, 1985

MudMullet,<br /><br />You should see a "spray" when the engine is up to operating temp.<br /><br />I just push a toothpick through them when they get clogged.