1984 15hp johnson water flow problem

[southernthunder]

My father bought this motor around 1985 and we used it in fresh and a little salt water (was always flushed after saltwater use). It had been sitting up for about 12 years. I removed and cleaned carb, replaced lower unit oil, new plugs, and a waterpump assembly. The motor runs great but i have very little water coming out the pee hole. Sometimes drips and stops the maybe a small stream at higher speeds with no pressure at all. I tried the weedeater string and found nothing. I blew into the pipe with mouth pressure and it goes through to somewhere(not sure if i should be able to blow through this). Now to engine temp. After a couple of 10minute runs i put it on the boat and run about 30-45 minutes. By my temp gun the hottest i found anywhere was 138 degree. Not hot, just slightly warm anywhere i could touch the motor. I also watched were the gear rod comes up for water comming out of the top of lower unit but never saw any. What should i do next??? Any advise would be helpfull.

 

[Rick James]

Re: 1984 15hp johnson water flow problem

I have a 77' 15hp that I've just gone through and resolved some issues similar to this.

First thing is drop the lower unit. Get an air compressor and stick a rubber tipped nozzle into the bottom of the water tube and blow air up and into the power head. When I did this, all sorts of crap came out of the pee hole. This is stuff I couldn't get out with a paperclip from the pee hole.

Once this is done, then make sure the grommet that goes between the water pump housing and water tube didn't get out of place when you installed the lower last time. If it did, pull it up and out of the water pump and if it's not damaged then get it in the right spot and reinstall the lower and try again being careful with this while you line up the shifter linkage, etc.......make sure that water tube is lined up too. If this grommet is damaged, then get rid of it and buy a new one, your local dealer should have them or be able to order them.

These are the two things I fiddled with on my motor, now it pees like a race horse. Hope this helps.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1984 15hp johnson water flow problem

The good news is your not overheating. Follow Rick James recommendations. They make good sense to me. I have never blown air up the tube but I have connected a water hose to it and flushed it that way. You might consider pulling the thermostat at the same time but it is obvious you have good flow through it. You could also check the water inlet on the leg to make sure it is clean of debris. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[southernthunder]

Re: 1984 15hp johnson water flow problem

Thanks for the info. i will pull the lower unit sat. morn. and try the air and water and let everyone know my results. thanks again. mike

 

[southernthunder]

Re: 1984 15hp johnson water flow problem

Pulled the lower unit this morn and adapted water hose to input and nothing. I used air to blow backward through pee hole then up through bottom then reattached the water and presto!!! water come out. re-installed lower unit and my old motor is peeing like the race horse of old(10' plus stream). Thanks for all the advise. Time to get the boat out now and hunt some spots!!!

Thanks again,,Mike

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1984 15hp johnson water flow problem

How to go Mike. A little perseverance gets the job done. Cangrats. Rick.