87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

[tony_cliffy]

Started up motor for first time this season and quickly noticed no water from the telltale even though motor submerged in a bucket. I let it run a couple minutes as I forgot if it had a thermostat or not. Shut it off once I noticed block getting pretty hot. Pulled hose off of black plastic exit hole and noticed smoke or steam coming out...<br /><br />I am not sure if I let the engine run long enough. How long should it take? Any other troubleshooting steps?<br /><br />Thanks!!!!!

 

[OBJ]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Hi Tonycliffy and welcome to the forum.<br /><br />Let's do basics. First, when running an outboard out of the water, use flusettes or a drum that will put the water over the water pump. A bucket just don't get it. Look for the mating line between the lower unit and mid-section. The water pump sets right in here. Also, the water pump MUST be under water to work. Be carefull not to over rev the engine. About 2grand is plenty when running the engine out of the water. If you have the engine on a flushette or in a drum and you still don't get water from the tell tale, that's the pee hole, then you probably will need to replace the water pump impeller. Generally, even though the thermostat may not work, you can still get water from the tell tale. If you know the pump is good and she still gets hot, replace the T-stat. Keep us posted on your progress. OH! Almost forgot. If you're in to do it yourself type stuff, get a manual for the engine. I-boats have the generic types that will help. Seloc is probably the preferred manual. But an OEM manual will do you much better. Good Luck!

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Awesome advice! Thanks.<br /><br />But can you clarify exactly what needs to be submerged? The area I normally use the rabbit ears on are the lowest set of vents on my lower unit. Then, moving upwards, you get to the seam between the very lower unit and the next higher unit. On this next higher unit is a set of exhaust vents. In my bucket I have completely submerged the lower vents and have both submerged and then later unsubmerged the exhaust vents. Still nothing from the telltale.<br /><br />I then removed the thermostat and bolted the thermostat cover back on. Fired her up and STILL nothing from the telltale.<br /><br />You have me concerned that I didn't have the water pump submerged but I am fairly certain I had the correct vents under water. Those upper vents are exhaust vents and aren't even submerged when at full speed in the water.<br /><br />Assuming I had the right area under water, then what do I do now? Apparently I have problem between my lower unit and my engine block. I have no outboard motor experience in these areas although I am pretty good at tearing things apart and fixing them. My main problem is a lack of a close parts dealer, but I can order them or drive to the next town to get them.<br /><br />THANK YOU so much for sharing your knowledge.<br /><br />Tony

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Oh yes, I also destroyed the thermostat when I removed it because it was a tight fit and...oh, never mind. Anyway, what is the impact of running the engine without the thermostat? I seem to recall the telltale always spat water when using the motor out on the lake so it probably just means the negine will take longer to warm up? <br /><br />I plan to replace it soon, just wondering if I somehow fix the remainiing problem and haven't gotten a thermostat yet. I think I will be OK, but please advise. Again, this is a 15HP.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Oh yes, again...Things were fairly corroded looking where the tstat was. I now have learned firsthand the effects of not flushing a motor after being in brackish water. The area I fished last summer was considered fresh water by my friends but there was enough salt in it to go to work over the winter. I am cosidering getting a new boat and much more expensive motor so perhaps it is just as well that i ave learned my lessons on this used motor I bought. (Still, i want to fix it and get on the water ASAP!)<br /><br />TC

 

[OBJ]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

If you are sure the lower unit was submurged, that is the water level above the "dividing" line just above the "vents" on the lower unit, then it sound very much like you will need to replace the water pump impeller. The "vents" as you call them are water intakes. As the motor is moving through the water, the shape of the intakes forces water into the pump. Changing out the impeller is no big deal but I would really recomend a manual for the job if you are not familiar with the job. You can run without the T-stat but the engine would not run to design specs. Just as an auto engine must run a certain temp. so must an outboard. What you would notice is poor low end idle and a somewhat diminished miles per gallon gas usage even though it's just a 15hp. Again, if you really like mechanical type stuff, get an OEM manual from your local dealer. They are still available and you can learn all sorts of neat stuff from them.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Excellent! I found a boat dealer not too far away with a waterpump repair kit and a thermostat. I'll get them today and fix this thing after work!<br /><br />I noticed moderate pitting and corrosion along the water passages. It is worse in the thermostat area and, naturally, I can not tell how bad it is between the thermostat and the telltale hole fitting on the side of the block. I did blow some hi-pressure air through the passage and confirmed it wasn't blocked. But is there anything I can do to clean/flush/coat these corroded passages? I am aware the best thing I can do is always flush with clean water after a trip, but would anything additional help eliminate some of the current corrosion that is present?<br /><br />Thanks again,<br /><br />TC

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

On a different post about the same type of problem I see where "clanton" stated the following: "If not a lot of water, the upper water tube grommet has swelled and blocked the water tube."<br /><br />Where is this grommet? My engine is an '87

 

[dkondelik]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Mornin'tonycliffy,<br /><br />it sounds (from here) llike your water oump impeller may have disintigrated, or at least broken a few fins.<br /><br />please take plenty of time while servicing the water pump. you'll want to verify that the channels are clear and that chunks of the old impeller are not plugging anything up. <br /><br />if you're plugged up, even a new water pump wont keep the motor frm over heating.<br /><br />Good Luck<br />HAVE FUN!

 

[OBJ]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Hey Tony, the pitting your refering to is a commom thing. I don't know if you boat in salt water or fresh. If salt, flush the engine after every use. Not much you can do to get the rest of the motor clean on water passages. The gromett clanton was refering to is under the engine block and can only be gotten to by pulling the power head. The swelling of the gormett is not a common thing so I would not worry about it. I do believe your on the right track so keep at it. And as klondike said, make sure all the old pump impeller is accounted for. Hopefully the darn thing is just worn out and will still be in one piece. Keep us up to date.

 

[karlp]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Tony,<br /><br />With regard to the pitting, do you have any zinc anodes bolted to the motor ? If not you probably should. The zinc will corrode instead of the aluminum motor. If you do mount them make sure there is good contact between the zinc and the motor. Must remove paint and should check contact with ohn meter.

 

[clanton]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Check the seal in old pump housing, if seal blown out sure sign of restricted watertube grommet. After you install new pump, run engine in water with thermostat out and housing off, you should have a gusher in 3/5 seconds, if not back to water tube.

 

[Bruce San]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Tonycliffy, I've got a '81 15hp evinrude with the same problem as yours. I tried to blow compressed air up through the water tube with the gearbox off the motor and got nothing. I just got done last night pulling the powerhead. I'm approaching with the theory of a plugged water tube grommet. Tonight I'll pull the exhaust trumpet off the powerhead. That should tell the tale. I'll let you know how I make out. Have you made any progress on yours?

 

[Bruce San]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Well, The water tube grommet was stuck in the bottom of the block. I had to take a pair of pliers to it to get it out of the water port. It was completely blocking the port! Now I have a dillemma. The exhaust trumpet crumbled when i removed it. I broke two bolts off in the bottom of the block getting it off and I've noticed some other things during the process. The paint on the head is discolored, the coils were a little melted where they bolt to the head. It's obvious to me now that this motor was overheated at some point. I don't think I want to just fix the water tube problem and replace the exhaust trumpet( if I can get one ) and slap it back togehter. I suspect the power head may have issues that will come back to haunt me. Here's my dillemma: should I put the time and money into rebuilding a 1981 15 horse evinrude? Or should I cut my losses and get something else? At this point I haven't spent any money on it yet. Any opinions?

 

[Valv]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

Brucesan, it all depends on your mechanical expertise, you can rebuild it, but it's not going to be easy.<br />Most common thing is....replace motor, a shop will charge a fortune for a rebuild. Sell old one on Ebay stating very clearly of your problems, so buyers will be aware of issues, you might get few bucks back, it will help toward new one. Otherwise you can ask deler how much they'll give you for old one, it might be worth trying.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: 87 15HP Johnson has no water from telltale

First off, thanks VERY much for everybody's input. Feels good to have friends.<br /><br />My motor is better. I replaced the water pump even though everything looked in really good shape. The old impeller looked like my brand new one, but I put all the new components in. I blew air up the tube to the block and it passed fine. I was concerned that I hadn't found my problem since the old waterpump looked good, but we started peeing once I put everything back together! Woohoo! This wouldn't be the first time I was slowed down by a weak stream, but you don't need to hear more abotu that...<br /><br />Be warned: The waterpump repair kit does not come with instructions or a diagram. Either get a good diagram in advance or make notes/drawings as you take it apart. It wasn't that complicated but I was wondering about a few things towards the end and sure wished I had something to refer to.<br /><br />On a differen note, I still need to replace my thermostat. It was very, very difficult to remove the long thermostat housing as the thermostat and spring forced the housing to bind up against the locking mechanism for the access cover to the engine. I had to mangle the spring and thermostat with pliers to get it all to come out. How was I supposed to do this? I couldn't figure out how to lower the lower cowling that goes around/underneath the engine to gain access. I hope the new thermostat doesn't give me the same problem going back in.<br /><br />Thanks!