Does a thermostat engine HAVE to **** water on flushing?

[BoatFisho]

Ive got a 3 cyl 40 yam, 4 years old. Its just been serviced. Its not flushing water very much when I first connect the hose, in fact it barely trickles out. The engine doesnt seem to overheat. I was always under the thought the sign of a good engine was water pissing from its nipple/water exhaust?

Water does **** out the bottom holes above the ear muffs however.

 

[JimS123]

Outboard motors drain most of the cooling water out the exhaust. There is a small tell-tale discharge that let's the operator know the cooling system is operating correctly. I believe you are confused, because it sounds like you are speaking of the excrement from a mammal.

 

[FrizFreleng]

I agree with JimS123, sounds like it may be that the ferret living under the engine cowling has a urinary track infection and normal pissing flow has been curtailed. Suggest taking him to the vet. Or - my 97 Yamaha C80 pumps water like crazy out of the weep hole at the bottom of the block. Lots of water coming out the exhaust hub and the two holes on the lower unit behind the water intake holes. My experience has been that when the weep hole flow slows down, the impeller or thermostat have gone south. On my engine, when the weep hole slows done the over temp alarm goes off. That happened last week during a monthly driveway maintenance run. It also happened about 9 years ago. Both times, I dropped the lower unit and replaced the impeller - problem fixed, water pumping out the weep hole like crazy and no over temp alarm. Do you know if you actually have an over temp alarm or if it is working?

 

[UncleWillie]

Thermostat or Not, The water pump always operates at full capacity.

When the engine is cold, The water bypasses the cylingers and is used entirely to cool the exhaust.
When the engine is hot, a portion of the water flows over the cylinders to cool them.
This water then joins the main flow to cool the exhaust.
In either case, the same amount of water is delivered to the exhaust stream.

A small stream of water exits the "Tell-Tale" hole at the top of the drive leg as an indication that cooling water if being delivered to the exhaust.
The Telltale stream is only there to give you confidence that the engine is being cooled.
With out the Telltale stream, there is nothing to indicate that any water is flowing, as the flow starts under the surface and is ultimately discharged under the surface.

Water must be present in the pump BEFORE the engine is started, and remain continuously available until AFTER the engine is shut down.
If you have operated the engine without water pressure on the muffs for more than 5-10 seconds,
it is a possibility that the rubber impeller in the pump may be badly damaged/destroyed.

 

[BoatFisho]

It says I do In the manual. No idea if it works. The unit never gets to hot not to touch. If I rev the engine more water pisses, just not as much as in a bin or when I bought the freshly serviced engine.

the 4 hours at the bottom of the leg are pissing water out. but the telltale at the head/cowling isnt running strongly. at idle it barely comes out. i do realise this is thermostat controlled though, the engine wont until its heated up?

 

[wrench 3]

The telltale will operate regardless of whether the thermostat is open or closed. It's also possible that the telltale is plugged up. Especially if you're operating in dirty waters.

 

[BoatFisho]

So the old wire in the hole trick, does wd40/crc help?

 

[WIMUSKY]

So the old wire in the hole trick, does wd40/crc help?

Can you remove it? Mine is plastic and will pull out of the housing. Then I use an airhose to clear it out and blow back into the leg to clear any additional debris. I've had sand plug them up. The main thing, as stated, is enough water is dumping out the exhaust. I have a thru hub exhaust. I feel the water to make sure it isn't hot. With cold water running thru it, it may get luke warm. The telltale stream will go stronger/weaker with the rpms...... Idle it will be weaker..... Give it a little throttle and it should be strong....

 

[BoatFisho]

when you say most important is water through the exhaust, is that not the telltale, is that the holes down by the leg?

when i do rev it, the telltale changes from a dribble to a mini wee, definitely a stream, but not strong, but i can feel the water and it gets warm after a couple of minutes.

 

[wrench 3]

The Yamaha service manual says to run a wire through the telltale with the engine running to flush out any debris. Penetrating oil wouldn't help.
Your exhaust should exit through the center of the prop.

 

[BoatFisho]

ive never noticed an exhaust on the prop. i have 4 holes, 2 either side above the water intake. i have a smoke exhaust near the telltale.

now to find some wire. what kind of wire works best, just whatever i can find or a fine gauge? not a wire coat hanger clearly haha, dont think it would fit in the hole.

 

[wrench 3]

A small diameter stiff wire works best.
You will have an idle vent for the exhaust above the water line. I'm not sure about the holes above the water intake, but if the center of the prop is hollow, that will be your main exhaust.

 

[BoatFisho]

thanks wrench. just trying to figure where ive got some wire lying around the house. i dont think i do. might have to buy some from the hardware store.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

I have heard other people using weed eater line to clean out in there.

 

[wrench 3]

You might even get by with a sowing needle. They're usually plugged up close to the end.

 

[BoatFisho]

Oh thats good to know. I thought I was meant to feed it a fair way in. Glad I didnt do that. Ill have a hunt around for a likely object/wire.

 

[BoatFisho]

How about the number 3 string from my guitar, pretty thick and wirey Have a sewing needle but its pretty short. Id actually like to know how to remove it and have a look around in there. Considering its just been serviced some sand must have got lodged,.

 

[wrench 3]

I'm afraid I can't visualize a 3 string. It just depends if it will fit the hole.
As far as removing the outlet, I can't find any reference to it in the repair manual. They usually either snap in or have a horseshoe clip on the inside holding it.

 

[boobie]

Weed eater line or mechanics wire works good for cleaning out the pisser. Do it when running.