1998 Mariner Mag EFI 150 - Tell Tale acts weird

[4winnsskipper]

Ok so this motor is new to me, when i first toke it out on the water the tell tale didn't start spittin till like 30-60 seconds after it started, i was about to shut her down because it wasn't spittin!! So it starts spittin slowly after those 60 seconds or so, then after driving it normally for another couple minutes the stream is strong, i figured she needed a new impeller

So i replaced the impeller with a genuine merc impeller kit. The old one i removed looked fine so i thought that was odd...

So today i toke the boat out on the water again, same thing happened, no water till ~60 seconds after start , and even then it's a weak stream...then sure enough few minutes later nice and strong stream...then later it goes back to a weak stream, then a strong stream...Is this normal??? I would think if there was a clog or something else wrong it'd be consistent....

 

[j_martin]

Re: 1998 Mariner Mag EFI 150 - Tell Tale acts weird

'Tis normal. All the water for the tell-tale has to go through the t-stats. Until they are open, (warmed up) that isn't much.

One way to really hurt that engine is a wild hole shot on a cold engine. If you get in the habit of checking the tell-tale before you can it, you'll never cold-seize it.

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: 1998 Mariner Mag EFI 150 - Tell Tale acts weird

well thats good to know this is normal... kind of disappointed though would of like a tell-tale thats before the t-stats though to know it's picking up water....

any one ever make a better tell tale on this outboard? not worth it?

also i see the two t-stats ontop of the heads that join together, then run down to where ti splices into the tell tale, then the main line runs down towards the lower gear case, where does that line go? shoot extra water into the exhaust?

Thanks guys, just looking to learn about this OB as much as possible, so far the two outings it's been flawless.

 

[j_martin]

Re: 1998 Mariner Mag EFI 150 - Tell Tale acts weird

well thats good to know this is normal... kind of disappointed though would of like a tell-tale thats before the t-stats though to know it's picking up water....

any one ever make a better tell tale on this outboard? not worth it?

also i see the two t-stats ontop of the heads that join together, then run down to where ti splices into the tell tale, then the main line runs down towards the lower gear case, where does that line go? shoot extra water into the exhaust?

Thanks guys, just looking to learn about this OB as much as possible, so far the two outings it's been flawless.

Yup.

Before you complain too much about the tell-tale. In cold water, if it was a full pressure exit (easily hooked up to the fitting in the top of the block) it would give you a false indication of readiness, and on blast off you could stick a cold piston. Not a pretty picture.

Learn the machine. It's almost invincible.

Hope it helps
John

 

[bassman284]

Re: 1998 Mariner Mag EFI 150 - Tell Tale acts weird

OK. This isn't a hijack, just curiosity.

I've read a number of other threads over time that say it's normal for the tell-tale to delay peeing for a long time after start, usually referring to the thermostat. I think this is the first where the delay was as long as 30-60 seconds.

I have a 2001 Merc 60 4 stroke and a 2003 Merc 9.9 4 stroke. Both of these start peeing within 2 seconds (maybe less) of start. Is there something wrong with my motors?

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: 1998 Mariner Mag EFI 150 - Tell Tale acts weird

OK. This isn't a hijack, just curiosity.

I've read a number of other threads over time that say it's normal for the tell-tale to delay peeing for a long time after start, usually referring to the thermostat. I think this is the first where the delay was as long as 30-60 seconds.

I have a 2001 Merc 60 4 stroke and a 2003 Merc 9.9 4 stroke. Both of these start peeing within 2 seconds (maybe less) of start. Is there something wrong with my motors?

Im sure your engines are much different. Most outboards pee right away, it seems this bread of motor i have doesn't pee right away. I would also think especially a 4 stroke would be different too, i'd bet your just fine