how long should it take for my thermostat to engage and motor start pissing?

[mallardtone-man]

hey guys I just finished doing a rebuilt of sorts on my 1999 115 merc. I ended up replacing the water cooling gasket and rebuilding the carbs and fuel pump new spark plugs gas lines etc. I fired the motor up this evening and it sounded like it was running pretty good however I had it going for probably close to a minute with the muffs on and it never started pissing. I was afraid of overheating it so I shut it down and haven't run it again. it just seems to me like it probably should have started circulating water already by that point. When I was taking the cover off the thermostat I accidentally dropped the thermostat on the ground from probably 4 feet high. I'm concerned that maybe I damaged it somehow, and this is why the motor hadn't started drawing water yet. as far as I can tell by just looking at it it doesn't appear damaged but I don't know what kind of internal components it has. I pulled the thermostat cover after running it and took out the thermostat and poppet valve, the water circulation chamber behind was dry. I am just wondering if it sounds like there is something wrong here and how long on average it usually takes for a thermostat to engage or about how hot it is supposed to get before opening up. I don't understand completely how the process works but my understanding of the cooling process is that the thermostat allows water to enter the cooling chamber once it reaches a certain temperature And opens up. if someone could clarify this for me and possibly explain what role the poppet valve plays in all of this I would greatly appreciate it. I want to know if maybe I am just overthinking things here and shut the motor down before it reaChed high enough temperature to begin drawing water or possibly I need to replace my thermostat or even have another issue. I also pulled the lower unit and inspected the water pump after running it, it definitely needs to be replaced but was not in terrible shape looked like there was some damage to the rubber pickup tube some wear on the impeller. I am going to replace it but think I can probably rule it out as the issue here. thanks in advance 4 any advice or pointers you guys can get me James

 

[Faztbullet]

Pee stream is off exhaust plate,t-stat and poppet have nothing to do with it. You not getting water from muffs, you need to run in a barrel.

 

[Bill kubiak]

Are you using the muffs that allows water to both sides of the unit or the kind that feeds water only to one side?
You have a big motor needs a lot of water, you should be using the two sided muffs or as Faztbullet said run it in a barrel.

 

[mlbinseattle]

I always run mine in a barrel. Actually, it's an old recycle bin, a big one, and I chopped the top off so that I can slip it up underneath the lower unit. Muffs don't cut it for me, and it seems like more water runs out the side of the muffs than what gets into the engine.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you should have water flow in seconds.

replace your pump