Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

[parrisw]

Trial run today with my new engine, its an 85 115 Johnson. Ran fine on earmuffs, I took it to the lake today and about 10 min in I noticed the tell tale had no water coming out of it, it just had a slow drip, and I noticed steam coming out of the upper exhaust holes in the leg?? So I immediately went back to the ramp and took it home, now ran it in a box full of water so it can pump its own without earmuffs, it was the tell tale hose that was plugged, I pulled it off and sucked on it and got a mouthful of sediment YUK!!! So it seems to pump fine, and doesn't seem to be overheating, I ran it ad idle for 10-15min or so, could the thermostat stuck or something?? Here is a pic of the steam. And I'll upload a vid of it running in the box.

Now, the fuel leak?? Its dripping fuel, from this nipple when its sitting there not running, as soon as a started it it stopped?? Its had the oil injection system taken off, is this part of it?

 

[parrisw]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Here is the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtMXIfyov4I

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Neither is normal.

 

[parrisw]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Neither is normal.

That doesn't help me much.

I didn't think it was normal otherwise I wouldn't of posted it.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Did it continue to steam after you cleared the sediment out of the tell tale tube? Your post made it sound as i fyou found that to be the problem and all is OK. Now, as for the thermostat, yes, it could be sticking. Or, it is possible to have a bad head gasket that is allowing exhaust into the water jacket and creating the steam.

As for the fuel leak, remember, when you prime the bulb, the fuel system up to the carbs is under pressure. Once the engine fires and the fuel pump takes over, the system is under a vacuum to the fuel pump and under pressure after the fuel pump. You could just have a slightly lose connection or a pinhole in a fuel line just before the fuel pump. Track it down and repair it. One thing about leaks, once they start, they do not get better by themselves...

 

[parrisw]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Did it continue to steam after you cleared the sediment out of the tell tale tube? Your post made it sound as i fyou found that to be the problem and all is OK. Now, as for the thermostat, yes, it could be sticking. Or, it is possible to have a bad head gasket that is allowing exhaust into the water jacket and creating the steam.

As for the fuel leak, remember, when you prime the bulb, the fuel system up to the carbs is under pressure. Once the engine fires and the fuel pump takes over, the system is under a vacuum to the fuel pump and under pressure after the fuel pump. You could just have a slightly lose connection or a pinhole in a fuel line just before the fuel pump. Track it down and repair it. One thing about leaks, once they start, they do not get better by themselves...

Thanks. thing is I don't know what the problem was. I took it home then cleared the line, and ran it in a tank for 15mins, and it didn't have a problem then, will it next time out??? Not sure.

The fuel leak, look at the pic, it is coming out of that nipple, what is that nipple for????? There is no hose on it.

Thanks

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

I am having a hard time identifying anything form that picture. It is just a little to close in as I am not familiar with that particular engine. Although, it kinda looks like that is the fuel pump to me. Why it would be leaking there, I am not sure, but as I explained, might be why it stops when the engine is running. Must be on the vacuum side of the pump. Can you get another picture a little further back so that parts are easier to identify...

Koodos to you for at least having pics or the issue. It is a better start than most...

 

[parrisw]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Sorry here is one that is farther back. It's a VRO model, and the oil injection has been disabled, I was wondering if it that part of it?? Its the nipple on the right that is dripping.

 

[parrisw]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

I'm more worried about the overheating?? Maybe I should do a T-Stat for good measure? Where are they on this model? I know I need a shop manual, I'm going to get one, just haven't yet, only had the motor 3 days now.

 

[KILLERME]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

If motor has been siting for a while,, like 3 years, do a water pump kit. If looks like heads havn't been touched, like looks original,. do head gaskets and water deflectors. and themotste kit. Better safe that sorry.

 

[KILLERME]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

plus fuel leak,, looks like you could do with a fuel pump kit. or complete pump. Kits are tricky to get back together right without any leaks.

 

[Ken G]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

The dripping is from what appears to be the oil inlet on the VRO pump. Make a plug with a short piece of fuel line with a stainless steel bolt stuck in the open end. That should cure the leak.

My books says the t'stats are in the exhaust housing adapter (wherever that is).

 

[parrisw]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

If motor has been siting for a while,, like 3 years, do a water pump kit. If looks like heads havn't been touched, like looks original,. do head gaskets and water deflectors. and themotste kit. Better safe that sorry.

It was just at a mechanic shop who said it checked out okay. It's a very low hour motor, don't know how long its been sitting since real use, in reality I don't think its had any real use from the looks of the motor, it really looks like its brand new, and for a 1985 motor, that's pretty cool. What are the water deflectors? Head gaskets!!! Very low hour motor can't see them being gone? Who knows. I'd like to do a T-Stat though. The water pump seems like its pumping fine?? I guess I should just do it anyway.

plus fuel leak,, looks like you could do with a fuel pump kit. or complete pump. Kits are tricky to get back together right without any leaks.

Why does that nipple have nothing on it though? Whats it for?

 

[parrisw]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

The dripping is from what appears to be the oil inlet on the VRO pump. Make a plug with a short piece of fuel line with a stainless steel bolt stuck in the open end. That should cure the leak.

My books says the t'stats are in the exhaust housing adapter (wherever that is).

Thank you!! That's what I originally thought that's what that was for.

T-Stat?? Hmm where is the exhaust housing?

 

[Les Robb]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Fix the fuel leak and as mentioned and if it has been sitting for a few years buy a rebuild kit for the water pump. Don't forget the o-ring at top of drive shaft and the water tube gasket. (might not be included in kit). When I first cranked my 70hp after years of sitting the thermostat was balky for lack of a better term. After a number of times running at higher rpm and idling on the muffs it finally started opening the way it was supposed to.

At full rpm and under a load an impeller cannot deliver the water necessary to cool your engine if it has taken a fixed set. (blades curved in a circle). If you still are running hot after replacing impeller then change the thermostat.

Just watch it closely and if you have a laser thermometer you take all the guess work out of how hot the engine really is and will save you a lot of worry. An inexpensive one is around 100 bucks new but you could probably buy one for less.

Looks like you have a cherry of an engine so take good care of it, and think of what a new one would cost today.

Good luck ya'll

 

[parrisw]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Fix the fuel leak and as mentioned and if it has been sitting for a few years buy a rebuild kit for the water pump. Don't forget the o-ring at top of drive shaft and the water tube gasket. (might not be included in kit). When I first cranked my 70hp after years of sitting the thermostat was balky for lack of a better term. After a number of times running at higher rpm and idling on the muffs it finally started opening the way it was supposed to.

At full rpm and under a load an impeller cannot deliver the water necessary to cool your engine if it has taken a fixed set. (blades curved in a circle). If you still are running hot after replacing impeller then change the thermostat.

Just watch it closely and if you have a laser thermometer you take all the guess work out of how hot the engine really is and will save you a lot of worry. An inexpensive one is around 100 bucks new but you could probably buy one for less.

Looks like you have a cherry of an engine so take good care of it, and think of what a new one would cost today.

Good luck ya'll

Thanks allot I appreciate it!! I'll change out the waterpump for good cause!! I have a laser thermometer at work, where is a good spot to check the temp? The cylinder head?

 

[ancashion]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

I have a 1987 Johnson 110 that has had the VRO disabled and sometimes steams also. I can't find why it steams, or exactly what causes it. Seems like a high speed run in cold water causes it but..

Sometimes it steams, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it steams the whole time, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it steams then just as random as it started, it stops.

Now, having said that, I'm not entirely sure yours is a steam problem. I'm not convinced mine is a steam problem either. In your picture, it looks blue to me. Burned oil (it is a two stroke after all) is blue, steam is white. Next to your white cowling that "steam" looks awfully blue.

Maybe change out that VRO pump to a standard pulse pump to solve your leaking problem?

Good luck!

 

[parrisw]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

I have a 1987 Johnson 110 that has had the VRO disabled and sometimes steams also. I can't find why it steams, or exactly what causes it. Seems like a high speed run in cold water causes it but..

Sometimes it steams, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it steams the whole time, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it steams then just as random as it started, it stops.

Now, having said that, I'm not entirely sure yours is a steam problem. I'm not convinced mine is a steam problem either. In your picture, it looks blue to me. Burned oil (it is a two stroke after all) is blue, steam is white. Next to your white cowling that "steam" looks awfully blue.

Maybe change out that VRO pump to a standard pulse pump to solve your leaking problem?

Good luck!

Thanks! As for the steam issue. I think it is steam, because it dissipates so fast, if it were blue smoke it would linger around a bit. I think I'll just plug off that nipple, no use replacing a good pump.

 

[KILLERME]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Hi, if you are going to keep it., best to get a full manual for maintinace, It is a good thing for any owner.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Is steam out of exhaust normal?? And fuel leak in engine compartment.

Noticed my 1985 140hp doing the steam thing in July while on vacation. I will post a link to the thread I started when I can find it.
To rule out the head gasket thing do a compression check
I have new water pump fitted 2 weeks before this issue. (No harm you changing the impeller if it is an unknown quantity)
My head temperatures were perfect
Tell tale on my motor has never been super strong in all the years we have had it. There is a lot of talk out here that the tell tale is a larger bore size than most on these loopers.
Do you have the water control valve still in place ?? it diverts the cooling water to where it is needed at different RPM (simply put) and there is a conversion you can do to match the later models (1992 and up I think ?)
Bottom line with mine is that with all the help and assistance I got out here and due to everything else about the motor being fine is that it is the wake catching up and flooding the overflow outlets on the midsection after a run.
I would write more but I am off to work. Will check in on this when I get home.