Firing up after three years '85 Force 125

[jerryotis]

After finding my electrical problem (bad rectifier) I fired up the motor with muffs on and a hose connected but I am not getting any water out of the return ports. I had the hose on pretty strong, should I back it off? Most of the water was squirting out of the muffs. Should I see water out of the ports pretty quick or should I look for something else?

 

[Tassie 1]

Impellar is probably cactus,
drop the leg and replace it with a new one anyway

try it in a old cut down 44 if you can find one

 

[Jiggz]

With a shelf life of 3 years, that impeller is basically in pieces by now.

 

[jerryotis]

Impellar is probably cactus,
drop the leg and replace it with a new one anyway

try it in a old cut down 44 if you can find one

I put it in a stock tank tonight, ran it for a few minutes, could feel air coming out the ports but no water. To drop the "leg" do I pull the cotter pin from the rod at the back, pull the bolts from below and drop it?

 

[jerryotis]

With a shelf life of 3 years, that impeller is basically in pieces by now.

I pulled it out and while it's not shredded or torn it is set up pretty hard so I guess I'll replace it and see what happens.

 

[Tassie 1]

Good idea.
it may be brittle and could just fall apart the 2nd time you use it,

 

[Jiggz]

I pulled it out and while it's not shredded or torn it is set up pretty hard so I guess I'll replace it and see what happens.

GREAT! Because if it is shredded most of the time the pieces ended up in the water passages causing blockage and yes, more work.

 

[jerryotis]

Thanks to all the info on this forum, I got the water pump changed and fired the engine up. I now get a spitting stream out of the vent holes but I also see two streams of water pouring straight down from holes on both sides of the lower unit next to the bolts that secure it to the leg. Is that normal?

 

[kbh121956]

If you have little holes next to the bolts, yes that is normal.

 

[jerryotis]

Great! I assumed so but just wanted to be sure. Is just a spitting amount of water coming out of the return ports ok?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Those little holes next to the bolts are for seepage and a lot of water coming from there isn't normal.
I'm guessing the seal at the top of the mid section tube is going bad or is bad.
How ever the pump pushes way more water than your motor will use so it should be OK.

Return ports:
You motor came with a pressure relief system., that the 2 holes in the mid section.
95% clog up and get stuck closed.
That's not a problem unless you start overheating.

The hose doesn't supply enough water to operate the cooling system right.

The life of an impeller: I just changed one after 7 years.
The owner thought the 7 year warranty meant he didn't have to do anything for 7 years
Depending on if they run it dry(ever) or barely use the motor.
One time running without water can destroy it.
It should be changed at the least 2 years.

 

[kbh121956]

I would take it out on the water and run it, spend they day and have fun. Three years is a long time for an outboard to sit. When back at home, drop the gear oil and check if it has water mixed with the lube. If you do you will need to reseal the gear case. Also a good time to replace the part that Jerry is talking about. I have a little 50hp that always has water running out of the holes and it has never had water mixed with the gear lube. Lucky? I don't know. Jerryjerry05 knows his outboards though.

 

[jerryotis]

Ok, put it in the water and just ran around for a couple hours with no heating issues, plenty of water coming out of the return ports. I am a little bothered about the water coming out of the seep holes below but I'll check the gear oil and if it's clear I'll probably just run it and repair it this fall.

Runs very smooth and responsive out on the water at cruise.

I do seem to need to do some carb tuning. It doesn't want to idle, dies in or out of gear. It may be as simple as setting the idle up a bit. I have searched and see that it should be 1000-1100 in neutral and 750 or so in gear. Does that sound about right?

Lastly, it has a stumble when I gun it as if trying to get a skier up. Not sure what to do with that?

Anyway, I really appreciate the help here!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Your right about the idle 800 in gear 1100-1200 in N

The gear oil: change it, what color??
IF??? there is ANY water it needs to be fixed now.
The lower units can be found but they ain't cheap so don't le yours go bad.

If your absolutely sure it's a small leak?? then find the leak.
A bad seal around any shaft can get real bad real quick.
Running like that can destroy the drive quick.

They are easy to fix the leaks.