HELP on Water Problem needed please

[griz066]

Fitted a speedo to my boat this morning and took it for a run to see if it works ok. Noticed when we were warming it up the water squirting out tell tale wasn't as strong a jet as normal. (90hp Johnson)
So I got the young fulla to drive and I hung over the back and noticed that a lot of water was squirting out the join where the gearbox bolts to the leg.
On closer inspection when we got home, there doesn't seem to be a gasket that I can see. (maybee they use gasket cement)
It also looks like the gearbox may have been removed at some time and it may have been forced apart with a screwdriver as there are quite a few visible dints and gouges at the join,and this is in the same region the water was coming from.
This doesn't seem to affect the motor at all but I am just worried there may not be enough water circulating to cool the motor properley, but then again the heat warning buzzer doesn't go off at all.
What are your thoughts ?

[blaze]

no gasket required at that join, its only used water coming out there.
The water goes in the pickup, into the pump and then up to the engine via a pipe which is sealed at either end with an o'ring. That is an open chamber where the exhaust comes down the leg
cheers
blaze

[fishingrod]

Get a bit a stiff fishing line or whipper snipper line and poke it up the tell tale hole. It could be blocked with salt or a wasps nest etc.

It may be a thermostat problem? Some motors have a tell tale that varies accoding to temperature .... as the "poppet valves" open ...... as far as i know while warming up they should give maximum output via the tell tale. Dont quote me im just a pretend mechanic.

Worst case the water pump impellor may be on the way out ..... unlikely but possible.

[griz066]

So Blaze are you saying that is normal and the water is supposed to come out there?
Why is the water coming from the tell tale just a trickle rather than a strong stream?
At speed the water coming from the join is squirting out under pressure I don't think that is normal.

[griz066]

and here

[griz066]

Thanks fishingrod but I checked that and it was clear I actually plug the tell tale up with a blob of patroleum jelly after each use so the wasps etc don't build nests, the water just blows it out on start up.

[fishingrod]

Yeh sorry i forgot the bit about it coming out the leg. Ive seen water come out there on some motors, but there is normally small dedicated slots. As far as i know it shouldnt come out random gaps.

[Angla]

I think the leg just needs resealing ( no gasket, just gooey stuff ) and then check to make sure the tell tail is strong. I also think you should ask a marine mechanic which product to use.

Angla

[redspeckle]

I also own a Johson 90V4 had water pressure issues
I had water shooting out of tail tale but the water wasn't going in the into top part of the motor very little of it and alarm come on so you can feel though the hose is water is going into top of the heads lucky this happen at home
The water coming out of tail tale should be stinging you fingers and and shooting as far a way from the leg as possible good sign impeller is working good when water is coming closer to the leg and not stinging the finger impeller on its way out or something else like you have griz066
Mitch
Go the Cowboys in 2006

[griz066]

Thanks guys I think I will take it to a mechanic to get it looked at.

[Oldyella]

Griz

When it is on muffs, water will come out everywhere around the gearcase as Blaze said. No sealer needed as it is just about filled with water when submerged. The problem is that your water pump impeller is worn and needs to be replaced ever 100 hrs or 2 seasons. Thats why the pressure has dropped. Just service the W/P.

[gawby]

I would agree with rd805 as i just had a problem with the teltale dribbling and the rubber ring on top of the water pump had popped out. Fixed in no time.
If your not sure yourself get a mech to look at it.
Graeme

[griz066]

Thanks guys, I considered having a look myself then slapped myself around the head with a stick and rang a local marine mechanic and booked it in for Thursday. He said possibly the water pump impellor was worn out and there could be a blockage in the water galleries as well. I will keep you posted.

[griz066]

Problem fixed, the pickup tube and a busted seal where it connected to the power head that is why the water was coming out all the wrong places. Water pump impellor was perfect. Fitting new thermostats also.

[Angla]

Good outcome.

Too bad there is no where to take it out at the moment

Angla

[rajawolf]

Problem fixed, the pickup tube and a busted seal where it connected to the power head that is why the water was coming out all the wrong places. Water pump impellor was perfect. Fitting new thermostats also.

You say the impellor was perfect...hope you are having it changed anyway...cheap while the leg is off ....then you wont have to worry about it for a while.