Mercury spitting out water where it should not be

[soulseller]

Yesterday I noticed my 1996 Mercury 115hp 2 stroke was spitting out water from where the midsection meets the powerhead. I am wondering what it could be, a bad seal somewhere in there?

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Mercury spitting out water where it should not be

Could be normal. Where exactly in the mid section is it coming from? There are little holes at the top of it where exhaust and water can come out. There's also the tell tail which squirts water.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Mercury spitting out water where it should not be

It's not normal but it's also not uncommon. The silicone around the upper mounts has failed or the mounts are damaged. Usually happens when you hit something but most commonly it's from trailering on rough roads or just one good pot hole without a transom saver. Mines like that right now and I know exactly when it happened.

I'm pulling the power head and fixing it this weekend because eventually it'll get to the point where it sucks air and causes low rpm overheating.

 

[soulseller]

Re: Mercury spitting out water where it should not be

Excuse the crude drawing, it was getting late when I noticed this last night and its a tough angle to see but I think it was coming out between where the two pieces join together, when I got back to my slip I wondered if it was coming out the hole in just above where the two pieces join

 

[soulseller]

Re: Mercury spitting out water where it should not be

It's not normal but it's also not uncommon. The silicone around the upper mounts has failed or the mounts are damaged. Usually happens when you hit something but most commonly it's from trailering on rough roads or just one good pot hole without a transom saver. Mines like that right now and I know exactly when it happened.

I'm pulling the power head and fixing it this weekend because eventually it'll get to the point where it sucks air and causes low rpm overheating.

It may already be overheating. Also last night I thought I heard the engine beep quickly (less then a full second) but it did not do it again. I left questioning whether I had heard the engine beep or a noise from a boat 30+ yards away. On top of that we have noticed the engine bogging down then surging forward repeatedly cycling every 2-3 seconds when at full motor over the past couple weeks.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Mercury spitting out water where it should not be

If the picture is of your motor and it is an Opti, get it into the shop now.. Don't run it until you've got the problem sorted out. If this motor pops it's usually cheaper to put a new powerhead on it. If you catch it before any damage is done, it probably can be fixed for a reasonable price.

I'm gonna guess it's just the rubber tube that goes from the exhaust housing to the lower skirt has come loose and is leaking water into the cowling. You should have water comming out of the rubber tube but not the cowling.

You have to pull the cowling off the get it back in or to replace it if it's split or damaged. If it's melted that would be a problem.

 

[soulseller]

Re: Mercury spitting out water where it should not be

If the picture is of your motor and it is an Opti, get it into the shop now.. Don't run it until you've got the problem sorted out. If this motor pops it's usually cheaper to put a new powerhead on it. If you catch it before any damage is done, it probably can be fixed for a reasonable price.

I'm gonna guess it's just the rubber tube that goes from the exhaust housing to the lower skirt has come loose and is leaking water into the cowling. You should have water comming out of the rubber tube but not the cowling.

You have to pull the cowling off the get it back in or to replace it if it's split or damaged. If it's melted that would be a problem.

The picture is not of my engine, mine is a 96 115hp 2strk. They look similar except for where artistically noted otherwise.

I am am in agreement that it is probably a hose or a seal that is leaking, so I guess my real question is, how hard is to open this up and take a look? I am mechanically inclined but have limited knowledge of marine engines and don't want to be down for more then a week. I could tow it down the street to a mechanic but I hate paying someone to do what I could just as easily do myself.

 

[soulseller]

Re: Mercury spitting out water where it should not be

bump, how hard is it to take this thing apart and get a look?

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Mercury spitting out water where it should not be

You can start by taking the covers off. That alone may tell you what the problem is.