1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series

[GDiamond]

Hello to everyone. Newbie question.

I purchased a 1995 Suntracker 18' Bass Buggy pontoon boat with a 1995 Mercury 40 hp . I launched the boat today cranked the motor and it started and ran very well. The tattle tail had a good stream of water. I proceeded down the bayou running the boat at different speeds. The boat and motor performed really good. I noticed the water from the tattle tail smoking. When checking the feel of the water out of the tattle tail and found it to be pretty hot. I checked the sides of the lower unit and it was hot to touch. The high temp buzzer did not activate. I did not run the boat long and put it back on the trailer. The seller had told me that the water pump had been changed four months ago but he had not ran it since a new impeller and housing was installed. He said his neighbor had changed it.

Whats your thoughts ?

 

[gloveral]

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series--Also Hot?

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series--Also Hot?

Found your post. It sounds very similar to my case. Did you notice any perfomrance drop in the motor? Did it surge, lose power, anything? I have put a new trigger and power pack in mine and I am trying to determine if the surging issues are ignition related and if so were they related to the heat.

Alos, I let my motor cool while the trolling motor took over for 30 mins. Deciced to fire it back up and it started with no problems and ran fine at all ranges for the 30-60 seconds I ran it.

 

[arboatdoc71968]

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series

the water coming out of the tell tell will be very hot to the touch. if you are not sure about the warning system of your engine you can check to see if the temp circuit is working by grounding the tan lead on the back of the engine( by the spark plugs) with the key on. when grounded the horn should sound. this does not check the temp sensor for accuracy so if you are still concerned you may need to get an accurate temp reading and compare to specs. its probably fine.

 

[GDiamond]

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series

Thanks for the replies.

What about the two upper exhaust vents. If I remember right, water sprays from these two vents also. I have nothing but smoke coming from these two vents. The water coming from the tattle tale is very hot. I did not run the motor very long. Could the impeller have been installed incorrectly?

Thanks again for the reply.

 

[arboatdoc71968]

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series

you will get some water out of the vents but most goes right out thru the propeller.

 

[GDiamond]

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series--Also Hot?

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series--Also Hot?

Found your post. It sounds very similar to my case. Did you notice any perfomrance drop in the motor? Did it surge, lose power, anything? I have put a new trigger and power pack in mine and I am trying to determine if the surging issues are ignition related and if so were they related to the heat.

Alos, I let my motor cool while the trolling motor took over for 30 mins. Deciced to fire it back up and it started with no problems and ran fine at all ranges for the 30-60 seconds I ran it.

I did not have a performance drop, but I did not go but about a hundred yards or less from the launch .

 

[GDiamond]

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series

I have a 2006 yamaha 60hp 4-stroke on a alwelded bass type boat. When ever I put the boat in salt water I aways flush the motor with dual ported muffs. I can hold my hand under the water coming from the tattle tale and the water is slightly warm .Because the mercury is nearly 15 yrs old, my son wants to drop the foot and check the water jackets for any obstructions and check the impeller. He duck hunts alot and has similar problems running in mud and sand. I guess this will be my Saturday project.

 

[GDiamond]

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series

you will get some water out of the vents but most goes right out thru the propeller.

There was no water coming from the vents. The water coming from the tattle tale was hot enough to boil crawfish.

 

[GDiamond]

Re: 1995 Mercury 40hp pro-series

Found the problem. My son pulled the lower unit and found the impeller was burned and in pieces. I believe the impeller was not changed, as the seller told me it was. Or the impeller was not installed properly. My son also checked the compression on all four cylinders, all were very good. I was happy to see the bad impeller.