Water Pump/Flow Question - 25 HP Tracker Marine (Mercury)

[Deep Hull]

Hey folks, here's the situation, my 25 HP Tracker Marine takes 15-20 seconds after startup to stream water, it spits a bit and I can feel air pressure flowing from the pee hole, but no water. At idle, it will flow water for 5-10 seconds then stop for 3-6, then flow again, no problems at 3000+ RPM with a constant flow.<br />This didn't seem normal to me and since I use the boat every weekend and it's been on the water for about 2 1/2 years I decided to replace the water pump and impeller. Swap-out went well last night and after putting it back together I started it up on the muffs and the flow was a bit better but still not a constant stream (as I suppose it should be).<br /><br />The question, is this a blockage (not in the water tube in the lower unit, checked that last night nice and clear) or possibly the thermostat? Other option is this is perfectly normal and don't worry about it. <br /><br />Thanks for your help.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Water Pump/Flow Question - 25 HP Tracker Marine (Mercury)

It does take about 5-10 seconds for the water to make it up to the block, 20 secs may be too long.....<br /><br />Does it have a thermostat? IF it does, your water flow symptoms at idle could be normal, as the t-stat will open and close. <br /><br />BUT!!!!!<br />I don't like the fact that you feel air being pushed out of the tell-tail... That indicates to me that something isn't right. Which means that your block isn't being completely circulated with water..<br /><br />A second question also is, does the water from the tell tail seem hot? Can you measure it with a thermometer?

 

[Deep Hull]

Re: Water Pump/Flow Question - 25 HP Tracker Marine (Mercury)

KC, thanks for your response, guess I should have provided a bit more info in my post to help see if there is an issue. The motor is a 2002 Tracker Marine serial number 0T546552.<br /><br />I checked mercurypartsexpress.com before my original post to verify that this motor has a thermostat and it does, part # 14586.<br /><br />When the engine is idling and the water flow stops for the 3-6 seconds then restarts it is hot to the touch, not scalding, but hot. I can put my hand in the flow and it is uncomfortable (maybe 120 degrees, roughly feels the same as if I ran the water in my house at the highest temp and put my hand in) the water then cools down right away after it is flowing.