1990 Mercury 90 hp outboard

[kerry cable]

I hope someone can help me. I'm a new boat owner and have no idea what my engine is doing.<br /><br />1) I know the engine is water cooled, and the water cooling comes from the water I'm boating in. When I first bought the boat, the stream of water that cooled the engine was strong and firm. Now I've had the boat for 3 weeks and the "stream" of water has turned to a slow trickle. Is this normal or is the engine going to over heat?<br /><br />2) There is an alarm that goes off speraticaly from the starter switch. The engine is cool and everything appears to be normal. Do I need to replace the starter switch?

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1990 Mercury 90 hp outboard

Don't know your motor but will throw a couple of things your way - First that alarm that you are hearing is probably to warn you that your engine is getting too hot. Others will probably confirm this.<br /><br />Since your motor is a 1990 I would plan on replacing the impeller in the water pump or get a complete kit. This can be done by most driveway mechanics with basic tools and the correct manual for your engine.<br /><br />Even if you decide not to do your own mechanical work I would recommend that you get the manual. Also spend some time browsing through this Web site. Whatever is wrong with whatever motor someone has probably wrote about it here. Also try the Search function to focus in a specific area. There is a post here with well over a hundred replys giving tips for those who come here for the first time.

 

[lonewolf5347]

Re: 1990 Mercury 90 hp outboard

I THINK IT TIME TO CHECK THE WATER PUMP ( IMPELLER ) IN THE LOWER UNIT.GOOD WORD OF ADVISE NEVER RUN OR TRY TO START ENGINE WITHOUT WATER HOOK UP TO THE LOWER UNIT.YOU WILL BURN OUT A NEW IMPELLER IN ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

 

[MURX]

Re: 1990 Mercury 90 hp outboard

intermitent beep is oil level, steady beep is overheat, (should beep when you first turn the key on to indicate the warning sensor is operable) do not disconnect that alarm, there is a problem with the sensor on those oil tanks. water stream varies on these is it steady when in the water, and then sporatic on the hose?

 

[Kevin20M]

Re: 1990 Mercury 90 hp outboard

If the stream was very strong 3 weeks ago, and now is just a trickle, get a piece of clotheshanger and stick it about 4 inches up the tube where the water comes out and ream the hole out, it sounds like you just have something stuck up there, like grass or something, if not, like everyone else said, try replacing the impeller to the waterpump