no cooling water from pisser?

[sweetmarie]

My brother in law is trying to winterize his 2005 115 hp Mercury four stroke engine. He has used the rubber ears and also a large tub of water but he gets no indication of cooling water flow from the small pisser. Also the high temperature alarm is activated yet he had no problems running his motor all summer, and the pisser was visible. It's as if there's no water getting to the cooling system?

Thanks anyone.
SM

 

[redjmp]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

Sounds like its time to replace the impeller before next season.

 

[sweetmarie]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

Right, thought maybe I was missing something. I've winterized motors often and this has never happened to me.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

Using flushing muffs will often disguise a bad impeller as the water hose pressure tends to aid in pushing water to the motor.

Was water exiting the prop while using the ears?

Pull the T-stat and test in a heated pan of water to ensure opening.

Fire the motor with the stat removed to see if water is supplied to the motor.

It NEVER hurts to replace an impeller, at least every other year as general maintenance. Always closely inspect the stainless cup and lower plate for any 'groove' worn into them from the impeller. If grooving is observed then install a complete pump rebuild kit.

 

[sweetmarie]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

After speaking to my brother in law, he told me that this is the second time this has happened to him. In the fall of 2009, the same thing happened but in the spring when he put his boat in, the water came out of the pisser and he ran it all summer without a problem. Now this fall, again, no water coming out of the pisser? I asked him if was putting the muffs at the right spot and he assured me. Now he's decided to wait until the spring to see what's going to happen. Hope I remember to post back with the result.

Thanks for the thermostat ideas.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

If the muffs were installed incorrectly, restricting water flow to the motor to the point of NO P-stream discharge AND the overheat alarm sounding, I would have to suspect possible damage to the impeller.

Coupled with the fact that this has now occurred a SECOND time, I would highly recommend that the water pump and impeller be inspected.

Most all of us highly recommend impeller replacement every other year to ensure proper cooling to avoid engine damage from overheating.

Sounds like this motor is already due for an impeller, even without these 'no P-stream' occurrences.

 

[sweetmarie]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

Everything points to the fact the he did not put the muffs correctly, I wasn't there. And he does not live near me but I will make it a point to visually check his engine next year over a beer. I understand the impeller damage that could occur without water. I live in an area where almost every second household owns an outboard motor and I can assure you that no one changes their impeller every other year. In fact, they probably run their engines until they notice no p-water, which is too late. I own a 1981 15 hp Johnson and I think I've changed it two or three times, and this motor has mileage. Mind you, I don't run it in the sand.

I'm not saying it's the not the right thing to do, just reporting what goes on around here. Rarely I've heard that they've fried their engine because of cooling water, unless they're not bragging. Will saltwater chew up the impeller faster than fresh water, I live in a fresh water only area.
Thanks to all for your input, appreciate it.
SM

 

[58rude]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

I've noticed my 50 Merc doesn't like to pull water if I have the hose pressure too high, sounds weird, but it sucks water better if I only turn the hose on about a 1/4 way. I would also add that his engine is due a impeller change. I do mine every two years just so I know I wont have a problem that involves cooking the powerhead. Good luck.

 

[will941s]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

Long shot....but it JUST happened to me. Those carpenter wasp are looking for a warm place to stay for the winter, and they found a home in my pee tube and my idle relief ports. Went to start my OB to winterize it at the local boat ramp and it would not pee. Only been sitting for two weeks. Took the pee tube off and found leaves punched all the way to the t-stat. Had to clothes hanger the leaves out of the idle ports. After winterizing I took electrical tape and covered the pee tube outlet and idle ports to keep them out of it.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

High water pressure can be a concern. I would try using some air pressure and blow back through the pee hole to ensure it is clear. That may be all that is required to free up the tube. I had that problem with my 3.5 and after taking it apart and seeing the impeller was fine, I then put it back together and once more started it. No pee water... I then hit it with a blast of air and it peed like it was suppose to...

 

[portd]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

I cooked a 115hp evinrude a few years ago by not changing water pump when required , Just had my Mercury 115hp fourstroke efi waterpump at dealer done ,cost 200.00 still cheap insurance

 

[sweetmarie]

Re: no cooling water from pisser?

Well folks, my brother in law just put his boat in the water and no more alarm and the pisser is working great. We're both scratching our heads. He showed me where he put on the muffs, he was ok. Why he can't get draw water from a barrel or the muffs is beyond us.