Cooling in upper engine block - 1983 9.9 Evinrude Yachtwin

[Putzaroni1]

I am going through the upper portion of my kicker to find where it's plugged now that I can see it pumping a little bit of water at mid rpm. I figured it would be the thermostat but upon removal of the thermostat cover, no thermostat but it is a bit gooey in there. I'm now trying to get the head off and I'll see if it's plugged somewhere else.
2 questions

1) How do you get at the lower right head bolt without removing the top end ? The rest of them came out fine and were easy to access. I need to get a 1/2 inch wrench or socket on it but while the socket fits, I can't get a ratchet in there to try turning it. The open end of the wrench doesn't quite line up and I also can't get a box end of a wrench over it due to the shape of the outside of the head casing. I'm thinking of grinding down a box end wrench so it fits by thinning the walls but figured if ya'all had any suggestions, I'm all ears.

2) What should I be checking once I have the head off ? What passages could be plugged etc. I will clean the head thoroughly but are there other things to check to insure everything is clear ?

Looking forward to seeing this thing pumping lots of water ! Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[sutor623]

You may be better off pulling the powerhead anyways. I had a blockage in the input line grommet in a 1980 9.9 and searched everywhere until I figured that out. I believe that getting the exhaust gasket out will also allow more areas for you to scrub clean. You dont want to play games with that head bolt because if you snap it, its powerhead off and to the shop you go. Plus you will need to torque it down tight with a torque wrench anyways. Maybe if you find a blockage in the underside of the powerhead you wont have to pull the head anyways.

How salty is this motor??

 

[Putzaroni1]

The motor isn't too bad for salty. I did grind down the box end of a wrench and was able to get the bolt off. I hear you though regarding the blockage possibly being may be the input line grommet. I'll do more research to see how difficult it will be to remove the power head. I don't see how I'm going to get a torque wrench on it otherwise. Thanks for the suggestions ....

 

[sutor623]

The motor isn't too bad for salty. I did grind down the box end of a wrench and was able to get the bolt off. I hear you though regarding the blockage possibly being may be the input line grommet. I'll do more research to see how difficult it will be to remove the power head. I don't see how I'm going to get a torque wrench on it otherwise. Thanks for the suggestions ....

Hopefully you can find the blockage now that the head is off the block and wont have to pull the powerhead anyways.

 

[Putzaroni1]

BTW, what is the best thing to use to clean up the head and the rest of the power head. I was thinking of using Superclean and once it's all cleaned out spraying everything with fogging oil just in case. The other option could be carb or brake cleaner. There is a fair bit of goo on the head and I want it whistle clean before I reassemble it. Also, where else do I want to check ? Should I drop the leg and push water up from the water tube through it to see if it's plugged there or is that not necessary ?

 

[sutor623]

White vinegar, water and a small heavy scrub brush will work well to clean up everything. If you pulled the head you may want to pull the exhaust cover also. That will allow you to get into that area of the motor. We have small round wire brushes that I use at work that I use to clean up water passages(like heavy duty pipe cleaner) Just be careful that you dont use any very harsh solvents that will interfere with the compound that they use to hold the block together.

Dropping the lower unit wouldnt be a bad idea. I would run water and compressed air through all of the passageways that you can get to. Just try not to get water into the actual cylinders.

 

[kodibass]

Not only could it be the grommet at the top of the water tube but there is also a grommet at the discharge exhaust tube that may not be letting the heated water flow out causing your problem, check out leeroys ramblings website he goes over the grommets very well.

 

[sutor623]

Not only could it be the grommet at the top of the water tube but there is also a grommet at the discharge exhaust tube that may not be letting the heated water flow out causing your problem, check out leeroys ramblings website he goes over the grommets very well.

Yea good call on the leeroys ramblings. That guys is THOROUGH when it comes to his Johnny 9.9/15's!!