1989 90hp water leak

[markoc85]

Hello, I just found this website and its awesome

My outboard is leaking water somewhere just above the thermostat assembly. Its not the thermostat gaskets, its just above them.

Would it be the exhaust adapter to powerhead gasket has failed? Or could it be exhaust gasket or exhaust cover gasket? I don't quite understand which gaskets carry water in this area, and the lower engine cover prevents me from visibly seeing exactly where the water is coming from.

Any guidance much appreciated!

Mark

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1989 90hp water leak

You have two potential leak areas. Try to fix the easiest/cheapest first. It's not unusual for the exhaust cover to loosen up over the years and leak slightly. On that engine, it's pretty easy to remove the exhaust covers and install two new gaskets, then retorque the cover. Run the engine and see if it is still leaking. If the engine is still leaking water, you may have a bad powerhead base gasket, and you will have to pull the powerhead to replace it-a 3 hour job.

 

[markoc85]

Re: 1989 90hp water leak

Ok cool thanks.

OEM gaskets are pretty expensive here in New Zealand, do you know if a tube of ADOS gasket 260 would do the trick?

ADOS gasket 260: "Rated to 260C (500 fahrenheit), designed to replace felt, cork, paper, asbestos, and rubber gaskets"

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1989 90hp water leak

Mine did the same thing this summer, I just tightended the bolts to the exhaust cover and it went away, they loosen up from the vibration.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1989 90hp water leak

I had an occasional droplet coming out of there a couple of seasons ago. Re-tightening the bolts did the trick. Dry ever since.