Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

[pecheux]

Good day,
Got the Johnson 9.9hp out of hibernation today and ran it in a garbage can filled with water. I normaly just put the muffs on with the water hose supplying the water, but have new neighbor that was on night shift so I prefered keeping the noise low profiled. The tell-tale water outlet had it's normal flow of cold water and the 2 holes below the motor base were also spitting out warm water as usual and more so as I reved up the motor. But I noticed for the first time that when the OB was running low idle with gear forward engaged there was hardly any noticeble water coming out of these 2 holes although the tell tale water was still a steady flow of water. Is this normal ? Is tell tale sufficent proof the impeller (water pump) is working ok ?
Thank you.

 

[pecheux]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

Any water pump expert on this thread can give me an opinion ? tx

 

[DargelJohn]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

All sounds normal. A strong tell-tale is an indication of good waterpump pressure and the engine block water passages are full.

The two ports, at the engine base, are high speed bypass ports for water flow. Putting the engine in gear probably dropped the RPM's, causing the water to drop as well. At running speed, you should see water flowing from these ports.

Does the engine overheat?

 

[pecheux]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

Tx for the information . I did not know what those two ports at the engine base were actualy doing. The water coming out of these 2 ports was warm to the hand but not hot. Had that OB for some time but had never noticed water almost stop coming out from the ports when engine was low idling. This OB is only being used a few days per fishing season which explains why I did not know for sure. Using a 15 hp Force most of the time.
Always figured if water comes out steady from tell-tale eveything is Ok. Seems that way from your feedback.
Thank you and have a great day.

 

[kbait]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

Indicator says nothing about thermostat operation, just that it's full and pushing. The other 2 ports get some of the water that's gone through the thermostat and waterjacket as it's cycled through the motor. May just be a mist coming out here, and not until motor warms up and opens the thermostat.. then it kinda sprays and stops.. pretty good flow at a wide open run. I think if the thermo is functioning correctly, the head area will be about 140 degrees..'couple/three seconds should be all you'd want to put your finger there. Good luck!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

You say that youve had this outboard for "some time", what is, "some time", and in that time have you changed the waterpump. If not, its time.

 

[pecheux]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

Indicator says nothing about thermostat operation, just that it's full and pushing. The other 2 ports get some of the water that's gone through the thermostat and waterjacket as it's cycled through the motor. May just be a mist coming out here, and not until motor warms up and opens the thermostat.. then it kinda sprays and stops.. pretty good flow at a wide open run. I think if the thermo is functioning correctly, the head area will be about 140 degrees..'couple/three seconds should be all you'd want to put your finger there. Good luck!

This is exactly how it stands at the moment, so I presume all works ok. Tx

 

[pecheux]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

You say that youve had this outboard for "some time", what is, "some time", and in that time have you changed the waterpump. If not, its time.

1981 winter stored in heated garage all those years, very low hours, used for a few fishing days per short season in Canada, still looks and runs like new, so I presume the water pump does not have more wear than the motor itself. What do you think ?

 

[Big flop]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

Water pump impeller is rubber & will fail with age.
Should be replaced at least every other year.
If not replaced overheat is coming.

 

[yorab]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

I believe that the issue with the water pump is not what many think of as wear, but it is that the flexible elastomeric vanes on the impeller lose their flexibility and hold a loaded shape which adversely affects the pump's performance. You should change the impeller.

 

[fishinandbeer]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

I've replaced plenty of water pumps on boats, not an expert but a rule of thumb I go by is if it is operated in shallow sanding water, change it every year, otherwise every two years. I'll end by saying a $30 waterpump kit is cheaper than a $2800 powerhead.

 

[pecheux]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

I've replaced plenty of water pumps on boats, not an expert but a rule of thumb I go by is if it is operated in shallow sanding water, change it every year, otherwise every two years. I'll end by saying a $30 waterpump kit is cheaper than a $2800 powerhead.

How much would I expect to pay to have it done at a dealer ? tx

 

[fishinandbeer]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

A dealer would charge you about $120.

 

[TonyD20]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

It looks like I will have to change my water pump since I have had the boar for 5 years but never changed it...

I would guess, to change the pump, you'd have top drop the gear case? If so, what about the gasket? Is that an automatic or depends on the wear of the gasket? The gasket was only replaced 2 years ago by the dealer....

 

[AlTn]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

Tony...what motor, year, model no.?...it'd be best to start another thread

 

[pecheux]

Re: Is tell tale water outlet sufficent proof impeller works good ?

Thank you all for your feedback ... mucho help & guidance. I got all the information I needed so far, I dont mind if TonyD20's question is handled on this thread. Cheers to y'awl.