Biggest Mistake I've made on running my motor

B

boater10

Cadet
Joined
Sep 10, 2005
Messages
11
Hello All:<br />I need some major advice. <br />I ran my motor with no water. I hooked up the mutts to my 1970 40hp johnson incorrectly. I don't know what I was thinking since I ran the motor on mutts before no problem. I forgot all about the motor only have 1 water intake and hooked the water side of the mutt on the other side of motor. The motor started with no problems. A greyish oily fluid was on the ground. Although the throttle was in neutral the prop was spinning. It would not change in reverse or forward. How much does the water have to do with gear changing/pressure on gears etc.? How much damage may I done? I ran the motor for about 2 mins total off and on. Any help is greatly appreciated. Put the mutts on properly now but did not run engine. HEELLLLPPPP. Thanks all.<br />Steve
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Biggest Mistake I've made on running my motor

turning the impeller long enough to heat it up, is long enough to damage it. there are 2 ways to find out. drop the lower unit or take it to the boat ramp and test. the ramp test could be inconclusive as it might pump for a while and then give up the ghost. as long as the engine did not over heat, all you have is a minor problem.
 
M

marysboats

Seaman
Joined
Apr 25, 2006
Messages
52
Re: Biggest Mistake I've made on running my motor

The water pump has not effect on the gears. With the engine off, did you try spinning the prop, then shifting it in, and out of gear? The clutch dog has to be aligned with the gears to shift.
 
J

joaklay

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2003
Messages
135
Re: Biggest Mistake I've made on running my motor

It's highly unlikely that running your outboard w/o water for 2 minutes had anything to do with the lower unit whatsoever. Besides damaging the water pump impellor, the powerhead would overheat w/o water. Water does not contact or cool the lower unit gears otherwise.<br /> If you have a shifting or gearcase issue, it was there before you ran the motor.
 
T

Tolly family

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 26, 2004
Messages
47
Re: Biggest Mistake I've made on running my motor

Put a new pump in it and go try it.<br /><br />Dan
 
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