When I bought the boat last May, the first thing I did was replace the impeller (and it actually looked like I didn't even need to do it, but I did it anyway). Last July I started my restoration project so the motor sat for about 10 months in the garage. Fast forward to today and the boat is up and running and all is well... except I am a bit paranoid with my tell-tale.

My pee stream is very weak or non-existent at idle. It will only pee steady when underway. If I've been idling for a while, then it will start to pee at idle, but not really steady.

The motor is not overheating and runs perfectly fine otherwise. I'm not certain if this sort of behavior is normal or not. I could have swore that before I started the restore there was a steady pee stream at all times, but neither my wife nor I can recollect 100% for certain. Am I being paranoid or what should I start looking for?

You may have reversed the impeller during install.
[img]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiQNhFYFvdQ[/img]or thermo stat(s) are not opening at correct temp. Also check under cowl for small water leaks ie. lines gaskets etc. that would reduce tell-tale flow at idle but not at WOT.

I'm pretty sure I put the impeller in correctly because I don't recall having any pee tell-tale problems between when I replaced it and when I started the restore last year. It's definitely something that happened since then.

Where [more specifically] might I be getting a water leak from? I haven't noticed anything under the cowl, but maybe I just haven't been looking in the right location.

T-stat gaskets and all H20 hoses under cowl. Put external water to motor and run with cowling off.

If you have a leak under the cowling I think it would be pretty obviouse.

Its a merc right?

I think some of the older mercs just have a weak stream.. my uncle has a straight 6 cylinder 90 hp and it has same symptoms as yours but all is functioning correctly. If you didnt replace the t-stats yet I would.

Personaly we let the water pump go 4 or 5 years, but its an older OMC motor. Ive never pulled one out that looked bad.

matt

Yes Matt, this is an old merc (mariner). It's a 3-cyl 70hp. There's definitely no obvious water leak from under the cowling, but I'll pull it and check it anyway. I need to adjust my carbs while I'm there, so no big deal.

I haven't replaced the t-stats, so I will look at doing that soon. It kind of acts like it is related to the t-stat somehow. The pee stream is very weak unless under WOT or if we have been idling for a while (i.e. we have given the motor time or a reason to heat up). Last night, for example, we trolled a good 2 or 3 miles and when I happened to look back at the motor it was peeing nice and steady like I would expect. After stopping and anchoring up for 4 hours, I guess the motor cooled off because when we cranked back up it was back to its weak pee stream.

checked under the cowl today. no obvious leaks. I did notice there was a sputter/mist coming from near the tell-tale but couldn't tell where exactly. I may have had a partial blockage as well. I ran a wire through it and then did my best to back flush it. The stream is much better and at WOT I have a very strong stream now. Idle is still weak, but definitely there.

With a water pressure guage .....you never have to look back for a stream ....That's just my opinion.
Steve
Westerman's Fiberglass
2121 S. Main
Cleburne, Teaxs 76033
shop 817 645-0088
cell 817 975-3039

Best investment I ever made, besides a tach!

I'll look in to the gauge. Prior to my restore, there was no gauges. I added a tach and trim combo gauge post-restore so if I can find a nice matching pressure gauge, I'll throw it in there. Anything special (ie - sending unit/wire/etc) I need for it?

All new waterpressure guages come complete with hardware. Nothing else to buy.

sitting in one place will hurt a impeller more than using it, if my impeller sat for ten months are a year I would replace again they will take a sat. are the blades will stick to the housing and when you fire them up from sitting it can tear a blade off .

Replaced the impeller in my Suzy 40, pees (sputters) very weak at idle, but is strong when throttle is engaged. No overheating issues whatsoever. And runs like a champ.
Water pressure gauge is a great idea. But power head temperature is the primary focus and will give you an answer now. Pick up an infrared thermometer and get a reading of your operating temperature on the power head, then verify range in your operating manual. Plus you will find a million other uses for it on various projects and stuff around the house.