4w78 water discharge question?

[hardwater fisherman]

When looking at the motor from the back the four holes on the right spray a good amount of water. The four holes on the left only have droplets exiting from them. At higher rpms the four holes on the left discharge only sludge and a small amount of spray. Water pump was replaced spring of 2015 and has had very limited use. I can hold my hand on the head forever without having to remove it. So I am pretty sure the water pump is working well. I did clean out the holes with a small nail but that did not change anything. I only really noticed it because I was running it in a barrel today. When it is on the boat it is below the waterline so I did not see it before.Is this something I should be worried about? And if so is there something that can be done?

 

[F_R]

Not to worry. Water passes through the powerhead, doing it's job, then is dumped into the top end of the exhaust housing. Some blows out those holes purely by chance, and the rest goes out with the underwater exhaust.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Ok thanks. So what is there purpose? Is it just exhaust relief?

 

[hidef]

Exhaust relief and to let you know the water pump is working.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Alright thanks.

 

[Deanrt]

Sorry for the hijack but I have a 1989 8 horse Evinrude that has the p line which has a steady stream of water and the exhaust relief which has almost no water coming out should I be concerned?

 

[F_R]

Truth is I'm not familiar enough with that model to give a reliable answer. But if the head stays cool you should be ok. Actually, with any motor the best assurance is have a good impeller (not old) in there and don't worry about it. Old impellers can look fine but throw their vanes off or spin their hub at any time.