1995 Spectrum w/ 70HP Force - Tell Tale Question

[WaterBoy76]

Hello All. I'm a past I/O performance boater and just picked up a 1995 19' Spectrum with a 70HP Force outboard. It has been sitting for a couple of years, but is in pretty good shape. I am new to outboards so I some quick questions! The engine fired up no problem, but after about 20 seconds of running there was no water coming from the tell tale. I was using mouse ears at the bottom water intake. I'm going to try it again with the lower unit completely submerged. With the mouse ears, is it possible that the water was not being pushed properly to the impeller to carry it up to the engine? Also, is there a certain amount of time that will laps before the engine warms up enough for the thermostat to open and let water through for the tell tale to work, or should it be immediate. My brother has a Boston Whaler with a 70HP Mercury outboard and says his tell tale works immediately even with mouse ears. I'm not sure if the Force is different, but I'd like to try and test the engine properly before I start replacing the impeller or thermostat. Thank you for any help!

 

[roscoe]

Welcome to iboats.

I had the same engine, telltale would take about 10 seconds to produce a stream of water.

Replace impeller and thermostat. Impeller may be in pieces and blocking the water tubes.

water muffs should supply enough water, often too much if the pressure is turned up.

 

[WaterBoy76]

Thank you very much! Will get to it!

 

[Chrisried]

Sometimes if you have the hose turned up too much it will not show at the tell tale. I would open the hose up about a quarter turn, start the motor, and then turn those hose up to where you want it.