Tell Tale Location??

[vampirefish]

Well, I'm ready to take my boat into the water but want to double check something prior to this. I have an older Merc - 1966 95hp inline 6 outboard. <br /><br />My step-dad (prior owner) says that there is no tell-tale other than water coming out of the prop and grills on either side of the lower unit (water is coming out both when it's running). My step-dad said there never was any other area that drained water like this. I don't see any other 'holes', really...except on the right side of the powerhead, on the back (by spark plugs)... there's a suspect rubber hose clamped to a 'hole' (on the outside). Should there be water coming from this? My step-dad said there never was... so what is this? <br /><br />The manual I have is great for all other years of engines... aparently mine was only made 1 year and it does not show any pix (for any of the engines) or explain where the hole should be. doesn't seem like rocket science...however it makes me wonder <br /><br />I don't want to take it out on my first trial run if this is not right.<br /><br />thanks in advance!

 

[joblo33]

Re: Tell Tale Location??

That's the tell-tale near the plugs. If theres nothing coming out try spraying compressed air in it untill the air comes out the prop then see if water starts to pass through it in a few seconds. Either way you should open up the water pump and inspect the impellor, if theres wear or if the fins are getting flimsy replace the impellor. I do this inspection yearly on all my motors as a preventative thing. A new impellor is way cheaper than a new powerhead. <br />Eric

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Tell Tale Location??

THANKS - I'll try this out tonight. Interesting that he ran it like this for a couple years. I did a compression check and everything was ok on the power head ... so let's hope it is, aye?

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Tell Tale Location??

Vampirefish - a non functioning tell tale, in itself, is not a real problem. It doesn't affect the cooling system. It's just an indicator, so if the rest of the water system is OK, it's not surprising that he ran it OK for a couple of years without knowing about the telltale. Most people I know just turn on the motor and run it. Very few actually are interested in making sure everything is OK before it goes south.

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Tell Tale Location??

Hey, thanks all! I was able to clean it out with my hose and it works great now!!<br /><br />I LOVE THIS FORUM