1988 9.9 Sailmaster water circulation issues...

[tkartmazov]

Hi All,

I recently bought this motor, it starts great, runs great, but had a weak stream. So I went ahead and got a complete waterpump kit, put it in and the stream did not improve.

In fact, when I take the thermostat cover and thermostat out (on this model it is right on the top of the head), I barely see any water splashing up to go over to the head, and the only thing that comes out of the hole that the hot water is supposed come out of is steam.

This motor has a 12" extension on the leg.

I have blown the passages out with compressed air, and they seem to be clear.
I have made triple-sure that the key is in correctly on the impeller
The water filter is clear
The pump, housing, and plate are new

There is warm water out of the pee hole, the stream strength does not seem to be affected by the rpm of the engine. It seems that the pump just doesn't have enough testicular fortitude to get the stream to the block.

Does any one of you have any idea as to what might be causing this?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[ONERCBOATER]

Re: 1988 9.9 Sailmaster water circulation issues...

if it is all like the 1983 model it has a copper tube for the water pump to push water into the powerhead, this is connected with a grommet at the powerhead, the grommet can get deformed and block the water flow, the tube can get squished... the tube can perforate and leak. also there likely is an extension that needs a good seal to get the water all the way to the powerhead, that may also be your problem.
http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Johnson 9.9_15.htm
that site is full of incredible info on this style engine and will serve you very well, may the man who created it be blessed with calm seas and good fishing for life.

Sean

 

[tkartmazov]

Re: 1988 9.9 Sailmaster water circulation issues...

if it is all like the 1983 model it has a copper tube for the water pump to push water into the powerhead, this is connected with a grommet at the powerhead, the grommet can get deformed and block the water flow, the tube can get squished... the tube can perforate and leak. also there likely is an extension that needs a good seal to get the water all the way to the powerhead, that may also be your problem.
http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Johnson 9.9_15.htm
that site is full of incredible info on this style engine and will serve you very well, may the man who created it be blessed with calm seas and good fishing for life.

Sean

Thanks for the link -- infinitely useful. I am wondering, however, if it's possible to remove the exhaust housing without tearing apart the powerhead -- any ideas?

Cheers,
Tom

 

[raczekp1]

Re: 1988 9.9 Sailmaster water circulation issues...

to tear down powerhead is just 0.5 hour of work.
remove starter, carb, one side coil,and 6 bolts under lower cowling
and its good to pull down lower unit
in 1 hour i spend to change gasket under powerhead(tear down, change gasket and put back all things)

 

[tkartmazov]

Re: 1988 9.9 Sailmaster water circulation issues...

Ended up tearing all apart and found no problems. Focused back on the water pump.

There are two pressure relief openings -- one where the housing mates to the plate, small square notch, and one on the side of the housing. Since my motor has a 12" extension, the pressure relief was relieving a but too much pressure (my guess is that it's designed to not let the water get in past the driveshaft busing on the top of the waterpump).

For a short shaft this makes sense because there is no drain hole in the midsection through the driveshaft channel.

My 12" extension does have a drain hole, which sits below the waterline anyways, as such I decided that it really doesn't matter whether the water blows by or not.

I blocked both pressure relief openings with epoxy putty, filed down to flat surface, added a grommet where the extension tube connects to the midsection tube. Runs like a dream now, very strong stream, and good pressure. Do you guys see any issues with doing that?

Don't know if something else will give, but I do carry a spare British Seagull which will get me home on anything that burns and some things that don't.